Gladesville Sharks crowned Cheryl Salisbury Cup winners

16.07.2017

 

In a hard-fought Cheryl Salisbury Cup final, Gladesville Sharks prevailed with a tough 1-0 victory over Maroubra United FC Sunday as part of the Deploy State Cup Finals Day at Valentine Sports Park.

The contest took a few moments to open up as both teams worked their way into the contest.

It was Maroubra United with the first effort that skewed wide.

The Sharks started to warm into the contest as they tested Maroubra United keeper Sophia Iasis-White twice in succession but the shot stopper was up to the task on both occasions.

Georgia Andrianakos was a constant threat for the Sharks as she burned down the wing several times.

The livewire star went close with an effort that Iasis-White clung onto.

As half-time approached, both teams were supported by their vocal fans as neither could find the net as the match headed to the break locked at nil-all.

Gladesville Sharks would find the breakthrough after the break however as Isabella Rose Prosser found a pocket of space in the defense of Maroubra before she unleashed a shot that Iasis-White couldn't hold onto for a 1-0 lead.

Buoyed by the opening goal, Gladesville had their chances to pile on the pressure as they racked up a series of corners that were repelled by Maroubra United to keep themselves in the contest.

For Maroubra United, they kept trying to find Lily Wendler in some space up front but she was well marshalled on every chance by the Sharks defence.

Andrianakos continued to prove a menace down the other end for the Sharks. She went on a long run down the left to get herself into the box but just couldn't find the finish.

Once again Andrianakos was in the right place as the clock ticked into the final moments, she tried to fire in a second goal for Gladesville Sharks but it angled wide. 

The single strike from Prosser was enough as Gladesville Sharks clinched the Cheryl Salisbury Cup in a tense 1-0 game.

For her tireless efforts throughout the contest, Georgia Andrianakos was awarded the Man of the Match for the game and received a special match ball from sponsors Deploy Football.