Spirit FC grab thrilling penalty shootout Grand Final victory over PCYC Parramatta Eagles

After Con Paradisis had given Spirit an extra time lead, and with the match literally seconds away from being all over, a bizarre lapse by Spirit keeper Murray Nelson enabled Chris Camilleri to poach an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.
Nelson had collected a high ball amongst a crowd of players and believing that he had won a free kick, freely placed the ball on the ground only for Camilleri to then sweep the ball into the empty net.
With no free kick actually having been awarded, Parramatta had escaped in the most unlikely of circumstances.
In fairness, it was probably no more than Parramatta deserved. They had certainly started the game the stronger in the blistering heat, the temperature showing 35 degrees at kickoff. No doubt the heat was a factor during the game, arguably favouring the Eagles over the harder running Spirit.
And it was not until the second half that the chances started to open up. Just after the turn around, a poor clearance by Nelson fed the ball straight to Mario Ghobrial, starting his first game for many weeks. Ghobrial perhaps should have chanced his arm himself, but fed Fred Graham instead, and while Graham did hit the back of the net, his effort was ruled out for offside.
Then it was the turn of Patrick Gatt whose firm header from a corner just flew over, and then Ghobrial had another chance but just lacked the finishing touch.
Leo Papanicolaou had a half chance for Spirit but it was Parramatta who continued to control the play.
Matthew Clowes had an attempt, and Graham had a header flash over the bar. It was perhaps the story of Parramatta who seemed to create plenty of chances but could not nail the final finish.
As the game headed to extra time, a Papanicolaou header stretched Stacy Alogdellis but the keeper did well to claim. Then Nathan Rivera had the last chance for the Eagles in normal time but his direct free kick just shaved the post.
Despite the chances though, the Spirit goal remained intact and it was defender Ross Kethel who almost gave Spirit the lead when his goal bound effort was cleared off the line. But only four minutes later, Spirit did get their noses in front when Con Paradisis worked a low shot through the penalty area, neatly into the bottom corner.
It was a cruel blow for the Eagles, who now faced their second Grand Final defeat in a row. And it would certainly have been all over had Papanicolaou?s strike not hit the post a few minutes later.
Parramatta pushed for the equaliser as the minutes ticked by, Craig Jacob and Camilleri all having chances but not testing the keeper. It looked like Spirit would take the crown then and there.
But that was until Nelson gifted Camilleri on the last tick of the clock.
So penalties it was, and the drama and tension continued. There must have been plenty of penalty practice during the week as both sides, apart from a single hiccup each, continued to knock in the goals.
It was seven from eight apiece when Spirit?s Glen Littlebury missed his spot kick leaving Ben Delicata the chance to give Eagles the Championship. But it was heartbreak for the Eagles legend whose shot was saved by Nelson.
With Lachlan Harte then scoring for Spirit, it was left to Nick Tantalos to keep Parramatta in the hunt, but Nelson again came to the rescue, clearly redeeming himself for his earlier mishap.
So it was Spirit who claimed the Championship after an epic battle. And they certainly know how to win, taking their third Grand Final in a row, after winning the two last first division finales.
Jason van Blerk was a very happy, and relieved, coach.
?I am in shock? he stated just after the game.
?It is the luck of the draw in penalties but Murray Nelson has saved penalties like that before? he declared.
Van Blerk acknowledged that his side had started slowly.
?We didn?t perform in the first half but we stepped up a notch in the second. Overall, we stuck to our tactics and it was good that we were able to come back?.
Captain Paul Nicoloau, on collecting the Super League Championship trophy, was also ecstatic.
?It is the most amazing feeling. To win three in a row, it is just amazing?. 
?The key to our success is that we have been together so long, some of us have been together for ten years?.
Of his opponents he stated ?Parramatta are always a good challenge. They can hold their heads high and their good season should not go unnoticed?.
But it is Spirit FC who take the Championship in their very first Super League season. It was a hard fought win but one well deserved for the league?s newest club.
Match Stats
Spirit 1 (Con Paradisis 95?)
PCYC Parramatta Eagles 1 (Chris Camilleri 120?) after extra time.
Spirit FC win 8-7 on penalties.
Sunday 13 September 2009
CUA Stadium, Penrith
Referee: Khodr Yagi
Assistant Referees: Daniel Dewhurst and Christian Mehl
PCYC Parramatta Eagles: Stacy Alogdellis, Alexander Bit (Craig Jacob 75?), Daniel Borg, Patrick Gatt, Nick Tantalos, George Lagoudakis (Chris Camilleri 103?), Matthew Clowes, Nathan Rivera, Ben Delicata (c), Fred Graham, Mario Ghobrial (Kutaiba Elrich 80?)
Subs not used: 12. Tom Wilson, 20. Mark Villaescusa
Coach: Jason Falzon
Spirit FC: 1. Murray Nelson 2. Daniel Cunningham 3. Ross Kethel 4. Paul Nicolaou (c) 18. Lachlan Harte 5. Glen Littlebury 7. Adam Peatey (Benjamin Griffin 75?) 11. Con Paradasis 8.Josh De Kelly (Glen Maundrell 86?) 9. Tim Simpson (Tom Lovell 117?) 10. Leo Papanicolaou.
Subs not used: 14. Joe Ciano 17. Ashley Balcolm
Coach: Jason van Blerk
Man of the Match
Con Paradisis
-By Peter Rowney