Northbridge FC crowned 2012 Cheryl Salisbury Cup Champions
Both teams had already met during the group stages of the tournament as Northbridge FC ran out 1-0 victors on Wednesday in Pool D.
In what were chilly and wintery conditions, the match commenced at a frenetic pace as both teams went close on a number of occasions in the first five minutes.
One of the stars of the tournament, Northbridge FC striker Madeleine Kennedy went close in the 6th minute when a darting run saw her right foot shot inside the box saved by Mariners number one Adina Hawkins.
Three minutes later however, Kennedy hit the back of the net in style as yet another fantastic run saw the ace striker boot home Northbridge?s first goal with a ferocious drive that delighted the travelling Northbridge fans ? it was her fifth goal of the tournament.
Not content on resting on their laurels, Northbridge went close again in the 22nd minute when captain Antonia Beckett had her shot saved by Hawkins while Kennedy went in search for her second two minutes later but she skewed her shot wide.
The Mariners fought tooth and nail in pegging one back with Suzi-Rae Driscoll causing concern for Northbridge as she tried endlessly to get that vital equaliser.
The half-time whistle sounded and with that the rain came pouring down but that was not set to dampen the spirits of both sides who came out hungrier in the second half.
After Northbridge FC dominated the first half, the start of the second belonged to the Mariners who had a golden opportunity in the 33rd minute to put the game level.
Brittni Nicol was given a free-kick just outside the edge of the box but her resulting free-kick was well saved by the Northbridge shotstopper.
Tahlia Macri then pulled off one of the moves of the Cup final with a brilliant display of skill for Northbridge FC having beaten two players, her follow up shot was saved well by Hawkins in the 35th minute.
With time ticking away, both teams continued to pile on the pressure and in the 44th minute it nearly paid off for Northbridge as Hawkins spilled the ball from a shot with Hannah Young following through but the Mariners keeper yet again pulled off another good save.
Persistence paid off for Northbridge FC in the 47th minute as Macri was played a clever ball which caught the Mariners defence napping and slotted home what was the sealer of the match with a clever strike which all but assured the cup was going north ? it was her fourth goal of the tournament.
A delighted Northbridge FC coach Neale Muston was happy with how his team progressed throughout the Cup and was proud with what the team achieved during the three-day tournament.
?I was very proud of the girls? efforts during the course of the week, I felt they worked really hard and improved as the games went on and they were rewarded with the Cup final win.
?I felt that the Mariners put on a great display in the final and were super competitive.
?It was a good tournament run by Football NSW and you could tell as everyone involved had a huge smile on their face.?
The 2012 Cheryl Salisbury Cup was played in great spirits and the action was intense as a number of future potential Matildas stars were on show in what was a great three days of football.
Northbridge FC?s outstanding defender Emma McKellar was given the honours of being announced the 2012 Cheryl Salisbury Player of the Tournament ? a huge achievement but the youngster who had a sterling tournament holding the fort for Northbridge FC. Her side also achieved a huge statistic having conceded no goals throughout the Cup.
Match Stats
Cheryl Salisbury Cup Final @ Valentine Sports Park
Northbridge FC 2
(Madeline Kennedy 9?, Tahlia Macri 47?)
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0
Northbridge FC: Antonia Beckett, Holly Caspers, Eliza Ewington, Charlotte Gardner, Taylor Ireland, Hannah Johns, Madeleine Kennedy, Anna MacGregor, Tahlia Macri, Nicola McCarthy, Emma McKellar, Sophie Nelson, Phoebe Oldham, Abbey Simpson, Ava Timms, Hannah Young
Central Coast Mariners Academy: Hannah Batten, Hayley Boyce, Gemma Clegg, Suzi-Rae Driscoll, Emma Farrelly, Jessica Hines, Jocelyn Kelleher, Aimy Long, Brittni Nicol, Rebekah Peake, Sara Pririz, Chelsea Searle, Sarah Smith
Semi-Finals Results
Central Coast Mariners Academy 0 v Manly United 0 (CCMA won 3-2 on pens)
Northbridge FC 2 v NWS Koalas 0
Grand Final
Northbridge FC 2 Central Coast Mariners Academy 0
-By Mark Stavroulakis
