UTS Northside Futsal Club crowned Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Champions
UTS Northside prevailed in the Futsal Premier League Open Women’s grand final with a 3-0 victory over Mascot Vipers on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park.
Led by Daisy Arrowsmith, UTS Northside opened the scoring in the opening half and despite having to hold on under some pressure emerged victorious after two goals on the break in the second half.
It wasn’t to be for the Vipers who probably suffered a bit with their thin squad. They put pressure on their opponents in the second half but couldn’t find a way past Samantha Fulwood.
Taking the momentum from their comeback just 24 hours ago, UTS Northside would have most of the chances early.
Tess Olsen key in their first few, with a give and go with Grace Arnold opening the game in terms of chances before she intercepted a pass early before taking the ball towards goal and seeing her shot saved.
As the minutes ticked on however, Vipers began to show their bite on the counter. Their first chance seeing Trudy Camelleri find Mikayla Duong to her right, Duong’s shot going into the right-side netting.
Followed a few minutes later by a chance for Camelleri herself, a low shot towards the far side of the target saved by Samantha Fulwood, Quilligan with the ball through.
Coming off the bench, Valentina Bradley had the next few threatening chances for UTS Northside, unable to find the target with the first two before her best effort went just wide left.
It was really proving to be a wrestle though with both sides showing off their defensive capabilities.
UTS were still inspired by their start and they went close once again through Daisy Arrowsmith whose effort was deflected wide with Emily Bastow finding her with a beautiful nutmeg.
And the first blow would be landed by UTS Northside, the league’s top goal scorer Daisy Arrowsmith creating something out of nothing after receiving a set piece. Her right footed strike finding the top right corner of the net taking us to the half time break.
The onus was now on Mascot Vipers to bring themselves back into it and Tess Quilligan tried her luck early in the second half with a shot from outside the circle.
While Emily Bastow had a shot just after the half hour mark after Grace Arnold found her, unable to get the shot past the Vipers defense.
Vipers would have their best chance of the half so far, Trudy Camelleri who on the end of a direct ball hooked her shot wide of the left post. Camelleri the main threat for the Vipers once again shortly after turning the ball home but doing so with her hand.
The game had swung with the Vipers now creating plenty of chances while UTS Northside threatened on the counter.
And that’s how the second goal of the game came. Samantha Fulwood showing game awareness to release Jenny Hill up field. Hill leaving no doubt with her finish to double the advantage.
Fulwood called to her more traditional duties a couple minutes later denying Tess Quilligan with a superb reflex stop from close range to keep the advantage intact. Trudy Camelleri next up with her effort coming to a similar fate with Fulwood on form.
However, UTS were just proving that bit more clinical getting a third with four minutes left. A Daisy Arrowsmith free kick palmed only into the path of Natasha Rainbird who finished the rebound to give Northside the tittle.
Match Stats
Sunday 18 December 2022
Valentine Sports Park
Mascot Vipers: (Score)
UTS Northside Futsal Club: 3 (Arrowsmith 24’, Hill 40’, Rainbird 45’)
Mascot Vipers: 1. Ivana Rozman (GK), 3. Sienna Fraser, 9. Sarah Moore, 14. Mikayla Duong, 18. Jayla Li On Wing, 20. Elizabeth Bieri, 21. Tess Quilligan, 25. Trudy Camelleri
Yellow cards:
Red cards:
UTS Northside Futsal Club: 21. Samantha Fulwood (GK), 13. Emily Oates, 16. Tess Olsen, 17. Tess Rickard, 18. Daisy Arrowsmith, 19. Emily Bastow, 20. Grace Arnold, 38. Natasha Rainbird, 39. Jenny Hill, 40. Valentina Bradley, 41. Chloe Tseros (GK), 58. Madeline Caspers.
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
-By Justin Smith
