Albion Park vs Thirroul.

With previous results going their way it would not be unexpected for Albion Park to go into this game full of confidence. Thirroul on the other hand would have been boued after taking out serious contenders Tarrawanna last week.

Albion Park made their intentions clear very early with a great run by Brittany Ring being rewarded by a goal to Shakiah Tungai within 1 minute.

The game then settled into a fast and furious battle between two highly competitive teams with Albion Park pressure requiring the Thirroul keeper to pull off a couple of important saves in the first 15 minutes. Park however were not to be denied and a small mix up in Thirroul’s defence resulted in their second goal ffrom a cracking Brittany Ring shot from wide on the left.  

Thirroul were also having their chances in front of goal against a defence that at times, looked less than convincing however their shots invariably went high or wide.

A substitution to Thirrouls centre back due to injury brought immediate dividends to Park who found themselves 3 nil up after 30 minutes following some great skills by Ring.

The score was further enhanced right on half time when a high ball in from the right  alluded the Thirroul keepers outstretched hands and seeing Park go into the sheds 4 nil up.

Goals in the first half to Shakiah Tungai, Brittany Ring, Jaylene Cusack (2).

The half time break seemed fortuitous for Thirroul and despite surviving a dangerous Park break virtually from the kick off, they had much of the posession and attack in the second half, in fact the roles seemed to have been reversed. While Albion Park dominated much of the first half and were clinical in front of goal, this time it was Thirroul taking charge with Parks shots going astray.

Thirroul were nearly in after a free kick around the 60^th minute, but a top shelf save by Park’s keeper saw it tipped over the crossbar.

All the pressure paid off for Thirroul with a goal to Amanda Allnutt around the 20^th minute following a goal keeping error (4:1).

While Thirroul were having much of the possession, tensions were high as Park had shown they were lethal on the break and danderous second half breaks to Shakiah Tuguai and Brittany Ring saw rockets being launched towards Thirroul’s goal.

Ten minutes after their first goal, Thirroul were awarded with their second after a great run by Thirroul’s Chloe Hocking split two defenders (4:2).

While Thirroul picked up their tempo, spurred on by a large and vocal cheer squad, frustration was growing in the Park camp both on and off the pitch.

A further 15 minutes on, Thirroul had their third goal compliments to a great shot from Hayley McDonald.

What an amazing comeback by Thirroul and with extra time increasingly looking like an incredible outcome,  they piled on pressure and threw everything at the Park defence. Park in the mean time were hanging on grimly. In the end time was against Thirroul and the final result was a victory to Albion Park 4:3.

Second half goals to Amanda Allnutt, Chloe Hocking, Hayley MacDonald.

In the words of one of the world’s greatest sporting commentators Billy Connelly, this was definitely a game of two halves. Congratulations to both teams for a successful season and a highly entertaining Grand Final. Best of luck to Thirroul for the 2015 season and to Albion Park as they commence the Champion of Champion series.

Player of the match was Alex Sands from Thirroul who seemed to be everywhere and had a hand in everything her team did on the night.

 

Sandra Depers

Women’s Reporter