The Round 17 matches at Balgownie and Thirroul might have been the most significant in terms of which teams make the end-of-season Finals in The Builders Club Women’s Division 1, but for pure entertainment value, Terry Reserve was surely the place to be at the weekend as Albion Park came out on top in an eight-goal thriller.

Albion Park 5-3 Fernhill FC

Albion Park twice had to come from behind to see off a resilient Fernhill team, which became the first team in 2018 to score more than one goal against the Champions-elect. For Foxes coach Josh Sebben, his side put in a ‘truly miraculous display’.

Kya Godbier twice gave the Foxes the lead, once early on with a rocket from outside the box, and again when the scores were level at 2-2 in the second half. Emilia Skopal scored the other Fernhill goal. This was the first time since defeat to Tarrawanna in 2016 that Albion Park had conceded three in a game.

The Foxes were still in front with 20 minutes to play, but tired legs and some well-worked set-pieces saw Park fight their way back into the match and knock in a 5^th right on full time.

Albion Park’s top four goal scorers all got their names on the scoresheet in the end, keeping the race for golden boot alive. Rylee McGartland’s brace took her to 17 for the season; Casey-Leigh Suttle now has 16 to her name; Brittany Ring has knocked in 14, and Kristina Glisic now has 11 for the 2018 campaign.

For Albion Park coach Richard Davis: “It was the kind of hard game we needed and I’m proud of the girls. Fernhill played some good soccer, though, and I can’t understand why they are not in the top four.”

With Thirroul losing to Kiama, the pressure is off Fernhill for next week’s bottom-of-the-table finale, as they now have enough points to guarantee 7^th place at the end of the season. For Sebben: “I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved today. We came with a plan and dominated a side that has run riot over the last few years.” It’s the kind of confidence boost that may well stay with his side into the 2019 campaign.

 

Balgownie Rangers 1-1 Woonona FC

Balgownie’s unbeaten run extended to six matches with this repeat of the scoreline between these two sides three weeks ago. The result is probably enough to steer Woonona into the Finals, but leaves the Rangers’ hopes of a top four slot hanging by a thread.

The Sharks were ahead at the break thanks to Georgia Lang’s first goal of the season, but Rikki-Lee Wardle equalised with her fourth goal of the campaign with 25 minutes remaining.

Rangers coach Earle Canvin was disappointed with his side’s first half performance but felt Balgownie dominated the second half and were pressing for a winner by the end. “We still have destiny in our own hands,” he said, though his team’s game in hand is against Albion Park.

With Woonona and Kiama fighting it out next week for third spot, the loser of that game might be vulnerable to Balgownie still if the Rangers can cause a major upset and defeat Albion Park. Goal difference doesn’t help the Rangers’ cause, though.

Woonona coach Mick Sutton acknowledged that tired legs meant his side couldn’t dominate the second half, “but it’s a good result because it keeps us in the finals.”

 

Russell Vale Black 2-2 University

There was to be no repeat of Russell Vale’s extraordinary 5-3 win over Uni earlier in the season, and this draw ended any mathematical hopes the Black might have had for Finals football. This was a good result, though, from a team which has entertained the Division this season and caused a few upsets along the way. Frances Halloway and Kerry Matthews got the goals for Russell Vale.

For University, the result didn’t change the position they will hold at the end of the season, as second spot is already guaranteed. Kristen Gorgieski scored her 21^st goal of the season, with Lisa Tolson also getting her name on the scoresheet.

For Uni coach Brod Crighton: “We played some good football in patches and missed a few chances. Then made a few errors at the back and Russell Vale capitalised.”

The Unicorns won’t be able to have lapses like that against Albion Park in next week’s final fixture of the regular season, in what many might see as a dress rehearsal for the Grand Final later in spring.

Russell Vale finish their season with a chance to put a brake on Balgownie’s surge for Finals football.

 

Thirroul 0-1 Kiama Quarriers

Thirroul were unable to repeat their shock win over the Quarriers in Round 3, going down to Angela Graham’s solitary goal towards the end of the first half. The defeat condemns Thirroul to the bottom rung of the ladder whatever happens next week against Fernhill.

For Kiama, with Balgownie breathing down Quarrier necks, the win was vital, not only to calm nerves after a shaky run of form, but also to give momentum to Umberto Sorrentino’s side going into next week’s decider against Woonona. The winner of that game takes third slot on the ladder; the loser hopes that Albion Park maintains its winning run in the final catch-up game on 19 August.

Sorrentino was pleased to get the win, “but nothing is settled just yet. We still have a match to play and anything can happen in football.” He also paid credit to Thirroul who never gave up and are ‘led very well by player coach Tina Siskoska. We had to work hard to hold onto our lead’, he said.

Report by Simon Duffin
Photo courtesy of Dylan Arvela