Vipers edge out the Magic in a thriller

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The Mascot Vipers womens team took the lead early in the game and were never headed to prevail over rivals the Sydney Magic 4-3 in tense and pulsating game of grand final futsal.
The Vipers took a surprise early lead when a kick-in from Amanda Cergovski near halfway was chipped to an unmarked Catherine Canuli to backhead the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0.
The Vipers extended their lead when a long throw from keeper Trudy Bartlett found Canuli who had again shirked her markers to lash an unstoppable left foot drive into the top corner.
The Magic opened their account when a long throw from keeper Mel McCauley found Natalie Spirovski who cut inside onto her markers and hit her shot past the keeper.
The Magic then levelled when Claire Tyson fed a nice cross court pass for Sophie Svinos to bravely slide in at the far post to tie the game at 2-2.
There were plenty of chances from both sides but the score remained at 2-2 going into the break.
The Vipers changed keepers in the second half and Antonella Oliva was soon in the thick of the action making saves and her counter part for Magic Nina Blundell also busy notably making a brave double block to deny Canuli at close range.
The Vipers were unlucky not to extend their lead a bit later when Canuli turned onto her left foot but her shot hit the post and away to safety.
The Magic were having their chances but it was the Vipers who got the important break when a quick counter attack saw Amanda Cergovski on hand to slide the ball past the keeper to give them a 3-2 lead.
The Magic fought back yet again when a quick counterattack saw Natasha Lo Guidice firmly side foot the ball just inside the far post to the joy of the Magic fans and team mates to level the match at 3-3.
The Vipers again extended their lead when Elyce Goss smashed a long range freekick against the crossbar, the ball then ricocheted down hit Hayley Buckingham and brushed the keeper on its way into the corner of the net for a 4-3 Vipers lead. 
The Vipers should have had a fifth when two players contrived to get in each others way and deny themselves of an easy tap-in at the far post.
The Magic poured forward in search of an equaliser and in the dying seconds had the ball in the back of the net but one ref called advantage and the overruling ref called for a freekick. Play was called back the freekick was cleared and fulltime sounded.
The Magic girls had played brilliantly and determinedly kept coming back at their opponents but time just ran out for them in the end.
But there was joy for the Vipers contingent who somehow kept getting their noses in front each time, would not be denied and just shaded the game on the balance of play and chances to take the prized Womens Premier League title.
Match Details
Mascot Vipers
1 Antoniette Oliva, Trudy Bartlett, 74 Alana Macey, 78. Bronwyn Jarvis, 81. Maniso Michael, 73. Elyce Goss, 75. Hayley Buckingham, 76. Alexandra Smith. 77. Georgina Stylianou, 80. Catherine Cannuli, 79. Amanda Cergovski.
Goals: Catherine Cannuli x2, Hayley Buckingham, Amanda Cergovski
Sydney Magic PCYC
1. Nina Blundell, 20. Mel McCauley, 29. Natalie Spirovski, 23. Kahlee Doyle, 24. Sophie Svinos, 25. Clare Tyson, 31. Natasha LoGiuduce, 35. Samantha Bergin, 37. Jenna Kingsley, 28. Emma Noro, 34. Julianna Dundovic
Goals: Natalie Spirovski, Natasha LoGiudice, Sophie Svinos
Yellow Cards: Samantha Bergin
Referees: Sam McIntosh, Peter Wilson-Mosey, Kelly Jones