Northbridge FC crowned Cheryl Salisbury Cup Champions
An entertaining match in the 12 Girls final saw Northern Suburbs Football Association’s Northbridge 2 edge past Football South Coast side Shellharbour JFC to clinch the Cheryl Salisbury Cup at Valentine Sports Park
After a slow start from both sides, Northbridge began to open up the game and pressed heavily in attack. Striker Emma Heinl soon pounced onto a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and from a tight angle was able to shoot past the keeper for Northbridge’s opening goal.
A brilliant string of passes saw Shellharbour break through the defensive line a few minutes later. But Northbridge’s keeper Mia Nel made a brave run off her line to block the shot and courageously put her body on the line to deny the striker.
Both sides struggled with the wet conditions, but Shellharbour began to control possession. Hazel Atkins was strong in midfield for her side, some electric play setting up some close chances.
Northbridge’s Ciara Casamento made a brilliant run through the middle from halfway, and was on track for goal but her final shot was hit poorly.
At half time, Northbridge held a slender 1-0 lead.
Emily Kostovski started strongly in the second for Shellharbour as she attempted to lift her team, making some strong tackles on the right wing.
Northbridge’s quick passing game allowed them to easily manoeuvre out of defence and they soon had a string of corners. But the Shellharbour defence held strong, as the game turned into a tight arm wrestle.
Northbridge were pressing well in attack, making use of their speed on the wings. Sarah Blake went on an excellent run and squared beautifully to set up her strikers, but a great block from Wilson-Gowans in-goal denied Northbridge their second.
Monique Koloski was everywhere in attack for Shellharbour, but her side couldn’t find the final pass.
As the game entered the final phases, both sides lifted their intensity, resulting in some physical tackles, with players going down all over the field.
Kostovski had a brilliant chance from inside the box in the dying stages, but her shot was off target, Northbridge holding on to claim a 1-0 victory.
Northbridge 2 coach Angelo Maralit was pleased with his team’s first half performance that ultimately set up their win.
“The second half they tapered off a bit and the opposition were quite aggressive and really keeping us pegged back. The thing is it’s never always good getting an early goal, but in the end it was that goal that counted for the win.
“This whole year the team has gone from strength to strength, they’ve won 3 tournaments in a row now… so they’re used to winning. I hope to see a few of them in the Matilda’s one day.”
During the State Cup Finals, Football NSW will make use of balls supplied by Deploy Football. An Official Ball Sponsor of Football NSW, Deploy Football product can be purchased online through The Football Corner website. Football NSW would like to thank Deploy Football for their ongoing support of our beautiful game in New South Wales.
Match Stats
Shellharbour JFC: 0
Northbridge 2: 1 (Heinl 6’)
Sunday 17th July, 2016,
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: A. Mclean
Assistant Referees: S Nagel R Nagel
Fourth Official:
Shellharbour JFC: 4 WILSON-GOWANS Aleathia (GK) 2. JANSE VAN RENSBURG, Denica 3. SALI Allanah 5 ZIPPARO, Isabella 7. DOS SANTOS, Imogen 8. RUSSELL, Caitlin 9. KOLOSKI, Monique (14. RIZA, Mia 24’) 11. DOS SANTOS, Jynaya (10. BARRAZA, Angelica 31’) 12. MASTROIANNI, Amelia (15. PETROVSKA, Aleksia 14’) 13 KOSTOVSKI, Emily 60. ATKINS .Hazel
Substitutes not used:
Yellow Card:
Northbridge 2: 12 NEL Mia (GK) 2. BLAKE, Sarah (28 GALE Maddie 14’) 6. HEINL, Emma 24. CALLAGHAN, Chloe 25. CASAMENTO, Ciara 30. HALL, Jessica (29 GYZEN Cate 14’) 35. MANOS, Angelina 39. OPPENHEIM, Emily (36 MASSARO Sofia 41’) 41. TALBOT, Jessica 42. WAGNER, Abbey 43. WOOD, Anneka
Substitutes not used:
Yellow Card:
