UTS FC lifts Women’s State Cup after local derby final
UTS FC were crowned All Age Women’s State Cup champions after their 3-0 win over fellow Northern Suburbs FA side Lindfield FC at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
The win was built on a lightning-fast start to the match, with a goal to Sahmiha Axe in the fifth minute before Stefanie Aisbett nodded home six minutes later to double the advantage.
Lindfield weren’t able to build any rhythm into the game after conceding two quick goals, and the task got harder when custodian Annabel Meadley was sent off in the 43rd minute for a handball outside the box.
Aisbett added a third in the 54th minute to round out the win in spite of Lindfield’s efforts to reduce the deficit.
UTS had the first chance of the game. Stefanie Aisbett sent in a low effort which was spilled into the path of Hannah Macri who hit the post.
They did find the opener in the 5th minute through Sahmiha Axe. The attacker cut through the Lindfield defence and fired home for 1-0.
It was double delight for UTS FC in the 11th minute. The ball was crossed in and found the head of Aisbett who nodded home for 2-0.
Sophia Hamilton was a weapon at set pieces for Lindfield FC. She floated in a deep free-kick which found the head of Gen Love to loop over.
Lindfield FC kept pushing for a way back into the contest. Amanda Skellern swerved an effort right at the UTS FC keeper.
UTS FC went close to a third late in the half. A clearance from the Lindfield FC keeper found Emily De Freitas who fizzed it wide.
The mountain grew higher for Lindfield FC when their keeper Annabel Meadley was sent off for handball in the 43rd minute from a Leila Martin shot.
The ensuing free-kick from De Freitas was sent over the bar as UTS FC took a 2-0 lead going into the break.
UTS FC almost added a third early in the second half. The ball fell to Macri who thumped her effort into a defender.
Aisbett doubled her delight in the 54th minute. Sahmiha cushioned a ball to the attacker and she punched it home for 3-0.
Hamilton continued to be the best weapon for Lindfield FC from set pieces. She lofted in another long range effort that was swept away by UTS FC.
Lindfield FC stand-in keeper Molly Woods produced a fantastic stop to prevent a fourth UTS FC goal. Aisbett drove into the right side of the box and arrowed an effort right at the shot stopper.
UTS FC saw out the last few minutes in comfort and streamed onto the pitch at the full-time whistle to celebrate their win.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 13 July 2024
Cromer Park
Referee: Alana Zic
Assistant Referees: Ana Zastavnikovic & Valentina Malagon Avila
Lindfield FC 0
UTS FC 2 (Sahmiha ‘5 Aisbett ’11 ‘54)
Linfield FC: 26. SKELLERN Amanda, 18. MEADLEY Annabel, 14. O’SULLIVAN Ciara, 27. LOVE Gen, 30. PASSAS Imogen, 17. MCCARTHY Katie, 37. BART Maddie, 13. WATKINS Emma, 28. WOODS Molly, 32. LIEBENBERG Samara, 16. HAMILTON Sophia, 57. MCLACHLAN Mia, 23. IRELAND Taylor, 35. TURL Hannah, 1. FINEGAN Bronte, 24. HANNAN Erin, 10. PATTERSON Charlotte.
Coach: Paul Grundy, Assistant Coach: Craig Whitehouse, Manager: Naomi Woods
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: Meadley ‘43
UTS FC: 1. YUZGUC Deniz, 2. AXE Sahmiha, 3. BANNISTER Georgina, 4. FIERRO Danielle, 5. HARVEY Aimee, 6. GORDON Sarah, 8. MACRI Hannah, 9. TRUPIANO Ashleigh, 10. DE FREITAS Emily, 11. AISBETT Stefanie, 13. PATERSON Zoe, 14. HOIBERGET Siri, 15. BOUDIB Jasmine, 16. DUMMETT Lillian, 17. GRIERSON Alice, 18. SKARPARIS Sophia, 19. MARTIN Leila.
Coach: Jake Cohen, Assistant Coach: Harry Bartholomew
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
