Northbridge claim Cheryl Salisbury Cup

A tense penalty shootout has resulted in Northbridge overcoming Hornsby Heights FC at Valentine Sports Park.

The match began with some free flowing football, with Hornsby Heights creating chances in the first few minutes of play.

The Northbridge response was strong, however, as it went on to dominate the remainder of the half.

Northbridge’s Shuetrim and Grace united to reek havoc, constantly troubling the Hornsby Heights defense with their speed and accurate through balls.

However, once Hornsby Heights began clearing the ball effectively, they began opening up the Northbridge defense. 

Late in the half, a break by Meli down the left wing provided a great chance for a goal, but the goalkeeper blocked her shot, with no Hornsby player there to pick up the crumbs.

The first half ended scoreless as both sides rued what might have been.

In the second half, a clearing kick by Northbridge goalkeeper Philippa Grimshaw was deflected off a Hornsby Heights striker and almost rolled in, forcing the keeper to make a desperate diving save. 

In response, Northbridge looked to play the ball out of defense, but Hornsby Heights were quick to shut those intentions down, pressing the opposition effectively.

With Northbridge contained, Hornsby Heights’ right flank began dominating possession, an it was not long before Grimshaw was called into action to brilliantly a save a dangerous effort from Johnston.

Northbridge looked at a loss as to how it should cope with Hornsby’s dominance, but despite that neither side was able to create any chances of note for the remainder of the 90 minutes, forcing the game into extra-time.

As the extra 30 minutes commenced, both sides continued to pass the ball around midfield without ever penetrating the other team’s final third.

By the end of the first period of extra time, any sense of attacking  flair had escaped both sides.

That continued in the second period and it was no surprise when the match was sent to a penalty shoot-out with neither side managing a shot on goal in that period.

It took a spectacular save from Grimshaw to hand her team the initiative in the shoot out and she was not let down by her teammates Gray and Grace who dispatched two perfect penalties to seal the Cheryl Salisbury Cup for their side. 

Northbridge coach Danny Beauchamp was pleased with the girl’s performance despite the lack of goals. 

“It was very tough, we’ve had some tough games against Hornsby this year, they’re a great opposition,” Beauchamp said.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but I’m very happy for the girls, they pulled through with good determination.”

Beauchamp said the girls have grown as a group throughout the tournament.

“At the start of the year, a few players came into the team and have gotten better as the year’s gone on,” Beauchamp said.

“I’m really proud of them, they’re a good bunch of girls.”

Match Stats

Northbridge 1 

Hornsby Heights FC   0 

Northbridge won 3-1 on penalties

Sunday July 12 2015 

Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood

Referee: Ivica Covic

Assistant Referees: Austin Davis, Daniel Ward

Northbridge: 1 Stroaker 2 Davison 3 Rickard 4 Gocher   5 Walker (6 Camporeale 17’)  7 Grace (9 Kato 17’)    8 Gray 10 Grimshaw  11 Bondy  12 Shuetrim (14 Fotis  17’)  16 Richardson

Substitutes not used: 

Yellow cards: 

Hornsby Heights FC: Guthrie ( Waldock 15’) Martin Dever ( Timms 15’) Turner Stack (Owen 15’) Williams Meli Forster Guthrie  Gallaway Johnston 

Substitutes not used: 

Yellow cards: 

– By Football NSW reporter Harry Easton, reporting from Valentines Sports Park