Sylvania Heights FC Claim the 2018 Cheryl Salisbury Cup
Sylvania Heights FC took their chances well to edge a 2-0 win over Concord Junior SC in the 12 Girls Cheryl Salisbury Cup at the State Cup on Sunday morning.
McEvoy marked herself out as one to watch early on, taking the ball from the halfway line and skipping past two defenders on the left before the goalkeeper rushed out to clear the danger at the edge of the box.
Indeed, she scored from an almost identical move on the right flank just a few minutes later, putting Sylvania Heights into the lead after just five minutes.
Rocked after going behind, Concord were helpless when McEvoy charged across the top of the box moments after scoring her first and shot towards the bottom right corner; a deflection from an unlucky defender taking the ball away from the goalkeeper and inside the post.
Concord managed to wrestle some control back as the first half wore on, with Layla Hamdan and Victoria Lattari working hard up front as they pushed for a way back into the match. Elsie Gray came closest, nearly giving her side a lifeline with a terrific shot that flew just wide of the post.
Lily Payne and Amber O’Brien both had opportunities to extend Sylvania Heights’ lead to three going into the break, but neither could quite make the most of the chances that fell their way.
The second half was slow to get going but Hamdan took the game by the scruff of the neck with a storming run forward that sparked both sides into life; the Sylvania Heights defence waking up just in time to close down the danger.
It began to look increasingly likely that McEvoy’s first half double would prove decisive, though she remained a threat as the final whistle drew near. Taya Galas and Indiana Fielder might’ve put the gloss on the scoreline for Sylvania Heights late on, but neither troubled the goalkeeper with their respective shots.
It ended 2-0; McEvoy the hero with her early brace. Sylvania Heights were worth their win, but Concord responded well to a poor couple of minutes and pushed their opponents right to the last and can be proud of their efforts in an excellent final.
Sylvania Heights FC: 2 (McEvoy 5’, 6’)
Concord Junior SC: 0
Valentine Sports Park Field 1, 9AM Sunday 22 July 2018
Referee: Natalie Farrugia
Assistant 1: Pavani Subramaniam
Assistant 2: Isabella Vrtokovski
Sylvania Heights FC: 2. KEEP Annabella, 3. SIDOTI Jasmine, 5. MCEVOY Polly, 7. NATALY Mia, 8. RYAN Chloe, 9. PAYNE Lily, 10. FITZPATRICK Rose, 11. MCLACHLAN Jade, 12. MILLER Ava, 13. DOBOSZ Mikayla, 15. GALAS Taya, 17. FIELDER Indiana, 21. O’BRIEN Amber, 23. PLUMMER Shayla
Concord Junior SC: 1. JAMES Olivia, 2. PARK Allegra, 3. KARATASAS Peta, 4. NICHOLAS Nevaeh, 5. MAKARY Lilli, 6. TASDEMIR Leyla, 7. DIB Danielle, 8. HAMDAN Layla, 9. LATTARI Victoria, 10. ROINS Tiana, 12. GRAY Elsie, 13. MAIESE Tiana, 15. MANUELE Olivia, 16. TSAOUSIDIS Mia
