The clash at Kooloobong Oval between University and Thirroul White was a meeting of two sides one win outside the top four. Uni came into the match on the back of a three match unbeaten run while Thirroul had picked up just one point in their past three matches.

Thirroul dominated the field in the opening passages of play and they capitalised by opening the scoring in the eighth minute. Amy Ziebell found a pocket of space 20 metres out from goal before thumping the ball into the top right corner - a stunning strike.

The goal seemed to shake Uni into life with possession evening out over the next ten minutes of play. Their first big opportunity came in the 18th minute after a lung-busting run from Zoe Kalos. She cut the ball back for Annabel Staples who could only manage to find the grateful arms of Miranda Blackbourn in the Thirroul goal mouth.

The game continued to ebb and flow and five minutes before the interval the Unicorns nearly equalised. Claire Crighton played in a long through ball to Aisling Visser-Connolly who touched through to Ashley Stanley but she was unable to keep her shot from blazing over the bar from the edge of the area.

A fairly even first half came to a close with only Ziebell’s wonder strike separating the two sides.

Uni was on top from the restart with Kalos dictating the play from midfield. In the 50th minute she drove at the Thirroul defenders before firing from 25 metres out but the shot went straight at the keeper who parried the ball away before it was eventually cleared.

Kalos was also causing Thirroul plenty of headaches from her arching corners. From her series of corners, Geraldine Ponce had an effort that went just to the right and Tallara Shaw saw her strike saved by the goalkeeper.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure and they were finally rewarding the 71st minute. Kalos lined up a free kick from 25 metres out before guiding it over the wall and into the top right corner - a sublime shot which equalled if not surpassed Ziebell’s opener.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Unicorns came within a metre of taking the lead. Kalos played sweeping pass which put Rachel Abbott through on goal, she toed it through the keeper's legs, Stanley tried to tap the ball in from a tight angle but Thirroul was saved by Jenny Harrison who was able to scramble back to block the ball out for a corner.

Uni continued to turn the screw but with less than two minutes remaining the Thunder retook the lead. The ball was cleared to Misha Harrison on the halfway line, she rushed all the way into the right half of Uni’s penalty area before cutting back onto her left foot and curling a shot into the top left corner - hitting the crossbar and the post on the way in. An incredible solo effort capped off by a magical finish.

The Unicorns pushed forward for the remaining minute of play but it was to no avail with Thirroul completing an astonishing smash and grab to win the match 2-1.

The win sees Thirroul White move into the top four on goal difference after Balgownie beat Kiama 1-0. As for Uni, the defeat leaves them in sixth with a daunting trip to Terry Reserve next Sunday to face the undefeated Albion Park.

Click this link to listen to the post match interview with Thirroul White manager Adam Ward - https://soundcloud.com/dylanarvela/thirroul-white-manager-after-late-win-over-university

 

University - 1 (Kalos 71’)

Thirroul White - 2 (Ziebell 8’, M. Harrison 88’)

 

Sunday the 25th of June, 2017 at Kooloobong Oval

 

University - Rachel Abbott, Kathryn Gilfillan, Zoe Kalos, Lisa Prior, Tallara Shaw, Rebecca Stanley, Yvanna Vernon, Aisling Visser-Connolly, Alexandra Woodiwiss, Claire Crighton, Lucy Crighton, Lucy Marvell, Geraldine Ponce, Ashleigh Stanley and Annabel Staples

 

Thirroul White - Amanda Allnutt, Miranda Blackbourn, Bethany Grew, Misha Harrison, Jenny Harrison, Jenna Rose, Kirsten Ward, Amy Ziebell, Christina Fedele, Matilda Davis-Raiss, Cara Baker, Hannah Carlon and Anna Sands

 

Referee - Eddie Bagoly

 

Assistant referees - Reagan Strong and Deakin Southern

 

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela