The Builders Club Women’s Division 1 – Round 12 wrap

Albion Park not only marched into another Final of the State Cup with a stunning win in the semi finals, but University’s defeat at Balgownie took last season’s champions a step nearer to winning league and cup double again in 2018.

Next week’s Round 13 fixture list has a mouth-watering taste to it, with every tie potentially significant: it’s 1^st v 2^nd; the bottom two play each other; and the remaining Finals spots may well be tied up through results in the other games next weekend.

 

Balgownie 4-2 University

Balgownie Rangers recorded their most remarkable result of the season with this win over high-flying University, though the match was finished early due to a head injury for Uni’s star striker Kristen Gorgieski in the 75th minute.

Eda Yakan grabbed the headlines again this week with her second hat-trick in as many weeks, as the Rangers went on the rampage in the second half, having gone in 1-1 at the break. Rikki-Lee Wardle was the other scorer in a win which keeps the Rangers’ outside hopes of Finals football alive.

Coach Earle Canvin was delighted: “I’ve been around a while and the effort of these players was as good as I’ve ever seen, especially starting with just ten players.”

Gorgieski scored her 17th goal of the season from the penalty spot, but collapsed moments later after the adrenalin rush of her goal wore off. Ambulance workers cleared her to go home, but the referee ended the game while she received treatment.

There was relief all round, but Uni coach Brod Crichton will be looking for more from his players in the finals weeks of the season: “Balgownie was better in the final third, and if we don’t convert we can’t expect to win. We need to start enjoying our football and be positive, even when we are not under pressure to win.”

The Unicorns have a big tie next week against Champions-elect Albion Park.

 

Fernhill 1-2 Kiama

Goals for Allira Giles-Gregory and Hayleigh Fisher steered Kiama Quarriers to victory at Fernhill but the Foxes chased them hard for the full 90 minutes and hit the woodwork in the last minute.

Fernhill’s scorer was Lisa Paton, with her 4th goal of the campaign.

Kiama coach Umberto Sorrentino was pleased to clock up another three points: “The girls knew what was expected today and got the job done. We move on to Woonona next and we know that will be a tough encounter.”

For Fernhill coach Josh Sebben: “We were unlucky not to come away with a point and we had a Finals-chasing team chasing our tails as we dominated the second half, even playing with ten players for most of it.”

The Foxes need a result next week against Thirroul to avoid propping up the ladder, though with player absences, Sebben expects to be fielding a side with many players from Division 4 in that match.

 

Russell Vale 1-4 Woonona

Woonona’s Fiona Leafe and Kate Stewart have enjoyed playing against Russell Vale this season, scoring in both league fixtures between these two sides. Leafe scored twice this time as Woonona completed the double over the Black with a 4-1 away win. Jordan van der Voorde scored the other goal in a win which took the Sharks a step closer to Finals Football in a few weeks’ time.

Russell Vale was already four down when Kathleen Halloway scored a consolation goal early in the second half.

 

State Cup Semi-Final

Albion Park 8-0 Balmain & District

Speaking after his side’s Quarter Final win 2-1 over Dunbar, Richard Davis said that game should have been the cup final as it was such a close encounter between two good sides. Judging by the ease of Albion Park’s win in the Semis this weekend, he may be right, especially as the Cup Final opponents in 2018 are once again Northbridge. In the 2017 Cup Final, 8-0 was also the scoreline so Albion Park will go into that final the hot favourites to successfully defend their State Cup.

Brittany Ring scored another hat-trick, with five other players also getting their names on the scoresheet: Tenaya Davis; Kristina Glisic; Rylee McGartland; Clair Duffy; and Michelle Foscarini.

The Final will take place on 15 July.

Albion Park take on second place University in Round 13. There is still a catch up game for Round 12 against Thirroul to be scheduled, and Round 14’s match against Fernhill will also need to be rearranged as that now clashes with Albion Park’s State Cup Final appearance.

Report by Simon Duffin

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn