There were 12 goals scored across the Women's Division 1 semi finals at Kooloobong Oval on Sunday afternoon. In the Major Semi Final, Albion Park accounted for University 4-1 courtesy of a late flurry of goals while in the Minor, Kiama were sent packing after Kelsey Clements netted a hattrick in a 5-2 win for the Sharks.

 

There was a 19 points between the Major Semi Final opponents and the gap was only magnified with University missing a number of key players including top goal-getter Kristen Gorgieski. Despite, this the Unicorns were relatively resolute in the opening half against Albion Park with the League Champions only managing to breach Grace Lockard’s goal once. This goal came 10 minutes into the match with Casey-Leigh Suttle cutting into the right of the box before burying the ball from close range.

Albion Park were able to double their advantage seven minutes into the second half through the boot of Rylee Mcgartland. The powerful midfielder pushed into space on the edge of the area before her raking shot found the bottom left-hand corner.

 

 

Undeterred, University kept holding firm while Albion Park continued to frustrate themselves by squandering gilt-edged opportunities. After soaking up so much pressure, the Unicorns managed to make the most of their best chance of the match in the 83rd minute. Cayla Constable flung in a free kick from deep on the right wing which was met by Brown at the far post who headed the ball past Aleisha Chessell.

 

The goal gave the Unicorns a glimmer of hope but in the 86th minute - as they took half an eye off defence in search of their second goal, they were punished with Brittany Ring tapping it through the middle of the centreback pairing before slotting it low past Lockard. With a minute remaining, Michelle Foscarini lined up a free kick from just outside the box and the set-piece specialist placed the ball inside the right post to see the match finish 4-1 in Albion Park's favour.

 

With the win, Albion Park progress to their fifth Grand Final in a row - having won their previous four. Coach Richard Davis thought University were a tough opponent, especially in the second half and he feels it will put his side in good stead for the decider in two weeks time. Davis believes his side has earned an easier week at training before ramping it up the week of the Grand Final adding, “As long as we do the hard yards and put the work in, things will happen for us.”

 

As for University, they will now take on Woonona in the Preliminary Final next Sunday in a match which will decide who meets Albion Park in the Grand Final. Unicorns coach Brod Crighton admits his side rode their luck at times, however, he was upbeat regarding his side’s efforts given they were without a few key personnel.

 

The first match of the day was the Minor Semi Final and there was little between Woonona and Kiama for the opening 20 minutes of play with both sides having a chance from distance. Woonona would push ahead in the 22nd minute before doubling their advantage a couple of minutes before the break. The first goal came after Kiama goalkeeper Megan Blanch pushed a save into the path of Clements who poked the ball home. The second saw Sinead Bailey deliver a trademark cross into the box which was met by the head of Clements whose clinical finish gave Blanch no chance.

 

Kiama looked lethargic in the back end of the first half, however, they hit back early in the second through Kari Gonzalez who found the bottom left corner with a fine half-volley from just outside the box. The goal reinvigorated the Quarriers who pushed Woonona for a solid period but the Sharks managed to withstand the pressure and restore their two-goal lead in the 64th minute. Bailey broke down the left wing before cutting inside and curling her shot over Blanch from 25 metres out.

 

From the 72nd minute, Woonona would wrap up the match within the space of three minutes with two quickfire goals. The first came after Jordan Wheatley played Fiona Leafe through on goal and the Woonona number 9 finished with aplomb and the second saw Clements complete her hattrick when she smashed a loose ball in the crowded box into the back of the net.

 

Kiama were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute for a handball, however, it wouldn’t spark a miraculous comeback with Tamara Duckitt punting the ball over the bar. The Quarriers would get a consolation goal a minute later when Hannah Pellegrino got on the end of a cut back before finishing from close range.

 

The 5-2 win for the Sharks means they go on to face University for a spot in the Grand Final. Coach Mick Sutton believed this was his side’s best performance of the season but hinted that they still need to strive for complete 90-minute performance.

 

The defeat sees Kiama’s campaign come to an end at the same stage as last season. Coach Umberto Sorrentino admitted he knew his side were going to be up against it, however, he felt his side matched the Sharks at certain stages throughout the match.

 

Listen to this week’s FSC Weekly for the post-match interviews with the four coaches.

 

Sunday 26 August 2018 @ Kooloobong Oval

 

Major Semi Final

 

Albion Park - 4 (SUTTLE 10’, MCGARTLAND 52’, RING 86’, FOSCARINI 89’)

 

University - 1 (BROWN 83’)

 

Albion Park - Maddison ANGEL, Aleisha CHESSELL, Renee CROWE, Tenaya DAVIS, Claire DUFFY, Michelle FOSCARINI, Liandra GAYKAMANGU, Kristina GLISIC, Jessica HANLY, Linda HILLARD, Nicole MCCRACKEN, Rylee MCGARTLAND, Brittany RING, Philippa ROBINSON, Casey-Leigh SUTTLE

 

Coach - Richard DAVIS

 

University - Rachel ABBOTT, Elisa BATTIN, Rhianna BROWN, Lexi CARTER, Cayla CONSTABLE, Keely DODD, Paris FORD, Jinneeca Klenka, Grace LOCKARD, Edith MELI, Pimwadee POLHILL, Tallara SHAW, Lisa TOLSON

 

Coach - Brod CRIGHTON

 

Referee - Martin ROWNEY

 

Assistant Referees - Maya FRANCIS, Breanna MCCORMACK

 

Minor Semi Final

 

Woonona - 5 (CLEMENTS 22’ 43’ 75’, BAILEY 64’, LEAFE 72’)

 

Kiama - 2 (GONZALEZ 48’, PELLEGRINO 84’)

 

Woonona - Sinead BAILEY, Kelsey CLEMENTS, Kayla DRAPER, Sara HAMILTON, Ainsley HAWES, Georgia Lang, Fiona LEAFE, Elyse MCNALLY, Morgan POTTER, Khalia RASCH, Kate STEWART, Jordan VAN DE VOORDE, Jordan WHEATLEY, Rachelle WILSON, Rochella LOGOZZO

 

Coach - Mick SUTTON

 

Kiama - Megan BLANCH, Caitlin CARDWELL, Tamara DUCKITT, Katie FRENCH, Allira GILES-GREGORY, Kari GONZALEZ, Josie-May IORIANNI, Hannah PELLEGRINO, Brooke PERKISS, Shantelle SMITH, Alex STRONACH, Rebecca WELSH, Louisa WOOD, Hayleigh FISHER

 

Coach - Umberto SORRENTINO

 

Referee - Maya FRANCIS

 

Assistant Referees - Martin ROWNEY, Breanna MCCORMACK

 

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela