Sydney Uni win goal filled Grand Final – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1
One of the most exciting Grand Finals to be played in the history of Women’s football in new South Wales saw Sydney University crowned Champions of the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 after a nine-goal thriller, winning 5-4.
It is the second straight year the Macarthur Rams have fallen at the final stage, losing at the same place last year after taking the Premiership.
The fantastic footballing display will be overshadowed slightly by the unfortunate injury to Hayley Crawford.
Uni came off the blocks quick and within the first minute had a golden opportunity through Evelyn Chronis.
Following a pass from Mel Caceres, Chronis moved in on goal before a tackle from behind saw the referee call play on as the attack broke down.
Only minutes later and Crawford went down with a horrid injury that saw the match stop for about an hour as she received treatment and was taken to hospital. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Five minutes after the restart and the Rams looked to hit the front through Chrystal Duggan but her shot hit the outside of the post.
In the 16th minute the Rams made no mistake though. A fantastic cross by captain Renee Rollason found the head of Kylie Ledbrook who looped the ball over Trudy Burke.
Only two minutes later and Uni had an equaliser. Stephanie Ambrose stepped up to a free-kick on the edge of the area and sent it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Then in the 32nd minute the Rams were back in the lead through Duggan. Leena Khamis played in a great ball for Kate Hensman whose shot was well saved by Burke. Duggan was Johnny on the spot now as she tapped the ball home.
Uni came back again though, this time from the penalty spot. Mel Caceres was brought down in the box and Carla Trimboli made no mistake, despite Jada Mathyssen-Whyman picking the right side.
Uni hit the front almost straight after the equaliser. A low ball across goal found Ambrose in the box who finished well with her weaker right foot to make it 3-2.
The girls in yellow went further ahead this time through an own goal. Elizabeth Grey headed toward goal and a desperate Rollason attempted to clear off the line but her header went into the back of the net.
With the half time whistle beckoning, Ledbrook picked up her second of the evening with an absolute bomb. Taking the ball into her stride she unleashed from about 25 metres out, finding nothing but the top corner.
After the break, the Rams found their equaliser. Hensman was brought down in the box as Georgia Yeoman-Dale stepped up to the plate, putting the ball into the back of the net.
Uni retook the lead in the 70th minute to make it 5-4. A low shot by Grey was well saved by Mathyssen-Whyman but Amy Harrison was at the right place to put the ball away and score against her former club.
With only 7 minutes remaining, the Rams were centimeres away from getting another equaliser. Again Ledbrook showed off her shooting capabilities as her powerful shot cannoned off the underside of the bar before being cleared by the Uni defence.
The Rams went all guns blazing and substitute Elisha Williams had a great chance but her shot was well saved by Burke with two minutes remaining but that was all the Premiers had as full time sounded soon after.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 4 (Ledbrook 16’, 45+2’, Duggan 35’, Yeoman-Dale 52’)
Sydney University 5 (Ambrose 18’,42’, Trimboli 41’, Rollason OG 45’, Harrison 70’)
Sunday August 30th, 2015
Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood
Macarthur Rams – 1. Mathyssen-Whyman, 2. Donnelly, 3. Walsh, 5. Ralston, 6. Yeoman-Dale, 8. Hensman, 9. Khamis, 10. Ledbrook, 11. Crawford, 22. Rollason, 24. Duggan.
Subs – 3. Walsh, 12. Ammendolia, 15. Braimah-Mahamah, 36. Halls, 41. Mcalister.
Sydney University – 1. Burke, 2, Soutar, 3. Guzman, 4. Ambrose, 5. King. 8. Chronis, 12. Grey, 14. Caceres, 16. Danaskos, 36. Trimboli, 40. Prior
Subs – 7. Harrison, 13. Keen, 15. Davis, 19. Woods, 32. Galic
by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter
