Football South Coast Women’s League Grand Finals 2015

 

Division 3 Plate – Helensburgh v Port Kembla

This match saw top of the tier Helensburgh take on Port Kembla who managed to overcome second placed Figtree to make the Grand Final.

 

The game started well with the defensive of Port Kembla standing strong. The ball was placed out for a Helensburgh corner with Tegan Harris almost converting the chance. The possession was shared equally through the first 20 minutes with both teams trying to become the dominate team.

 

Port Kembla created a great chance with a cracking shot from outside the 18 yard box saw the shot from Ports Simona Ivanovski saved brilliantly by the Helensburgh keeper – Monique Paddy.

A blistering run from Katie Mott down the right sideline saw the ball crossed into the 18 yard box converted by Helensburgh’s Tegan Harris to draw first blood in the final.  It was almost a double advantage after Helensburgh number Melina Mucci tried her luck from outside the box only to have the port keeper – Sheree Warner, tip it onto the bar.

 

Port Kembla replied quickly as a goal kick in the 35^th minute was picked off by Ports Clarissa Sa, she quickly ran past two Helensburgh defenders and placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

 

Scores at half time was 1-1.

 

Port came out the stronger team in the second half controlling possession and playing most of the first few minutes in Helensburgh’s half. This was converted on the score board with Amanda Hewes putting the ball into the back of the net. Port now lead 2-1.

 

Helensburgh pressed hard in the final minutes of the match knowing the needed a goal to send it into extra time. Another good run down the sideline from Katie Mott saw an unmarked Caitlin Mott at back post gracefully volley it into the back of the net.

 

The game went into extra time with Helensburgh looking the more threatening of the two teams. Their desire was evident with them snatching the elusive goal through April Boughton to be crowned Grand Final Winners.

 

Player of the match was Ali Barrett from Helensburgh Black.

 

Division 3 Cup -  Albion Park vs Bulli

 

Bulli came into this game after finishing 3^rd in the competition and following victory over ladder leaders Thirroul in the Final. Meanwhile Park finished 2^nd in the league.

 

Bulli definitely started the game the stronger of the two but were unable to capitalise on some early opportunities.

 

Whether it was nerves, the early start or having the sun in their eyes, the consensus of the Park supporters was that they were definitely off their game in the early stages. Bulli denied them any possession constantly beat or muscled Park players off the ball.

 

Around the 20^th minute Park’s scrambling defence was unable to keep out the Bulli attack with a goal scored by Aliesha Allen. Shortly after Park found themselves 2 down following a long range clearance from the Bulli’s keeper which alluded the Park defence and allowing Liz Newman to run onto the ball and score a well executed goal.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Park substituted their Cherkira Weaver into the game with immediate effect. Well timed and delivered through balls created real menace in the Park attack and bringing the opposition’s keeper into the game.

 

With nerves and sun behind them Park lifted their game in the second half sending their supporters into raptures with a goal from Maddison Angel following a strong run by their Shannen Self down the left wing.

 

Unfortunately Park left their run too late and Bulli finished deserved winners 2-1.

 

The player of the match was Bulli’s Katrina Venables who directed the traffic from the midfield for the whole game leading to her team’s dominance.

 

 

Division 2 - Helensburgh vs Wollongong Olympic

 

This game also saw the ladder leaders (Berkeley) absent from the Grand Final after being eliminated by 3^rd placed Olympic in the Finals. Helensburgh finished second on the table.

The Burgh girls got off to a bad start with their keeper –Amy Deverson being injured in only the third minute following a brave save. Fortunately after some attention she was able to continue however Olympic’s Aisling Visser-Connolly was able to slide the ball past her in the sixth minute and before she was able to fully gain her composure.

 

Olympic clearly came out with a game plan to start out fast. Meanwhile Helensburgh seemed to be relying on their trusted method of long balls through to their speedy attackers. This almost paid off for Alana Humphries who following a strong run saw her shot hit the cross bar and bounce back into the field of play.

 

Just as the game looked like going into half time with Helensburgh 1 nil down a strong volley shot from Kristin Auld took them to the break at 1 all.

 

The second half continued in much the same fashion as the first and when the deadlock couldn’t be broken the game went into extra time followed by penalties which eventually saw Helensburgh prevail.

 

Player of the match was the Helensburgh Keeper Amy Deverson who although injured early in the game managed to pull off a number of important saves during the game and crucially in the penalty shoot out.

 

Division 1 - Albion Park vs Tarrawanna

This game saw perennial finalists and ladder leaders Albion Park take on Tarrawanna.

 

Tarrawanna had pulled off a remarkable turn around in their season finding themselves in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the table in the early stages of the competition.

 

Spectators were looking forward to a highly entertaining game in perfect playing and viewing conditions and this game did not disappoint.

 

From the kick off Park were under immediate pressure with their keeper – Kendall Vaughan required to pull off a number of good saves in the first few minutes.

In the 25^th minute an infringement in the box saw a penalty awarded to Tarrawanna. Unfortunately the shot which was taken by Camille Augustine was initially blocked and then regathered by the Park keeper Kendall Vaughan.

 

The remainder of the half settled down into entertaining football with half chances at each end. The Albion Park girls were unlucky not to go into the break with a one nil lead after a shot just on half time rebounded off the crossbar.

 

The second half had only just commenced when the ball found Park’s Liandra Gaykamangu on the half way. Whether intended as a shot or ball over the top, the result was a spectacular goal from half way that dipped under the crossbar over the head of the Tarrawanna Keeper. Park were now 1-nil up.

 

Try as they might with strong games through Leah Carlon and Fran Halloway, Tarrawanna were unable to equalise and in the 75^th minute confusion in their defence saw the ball rebound from the keeper directly to the feet of Brittany Ring who made no mistake with an open goal in front of her. Tarrawanna were now down 2-0 with 15 minutes to go and that is how the scoreline ended.

 

Player of the match was the Albion Park Goal Keeper, Kendall Vaughan who’s strong saves particularly early in the game laid the platform for her teams success.