Sapphire Cup Semi-Final Spots Locked In as Hills United and UNSW FC Advance
Two of the four Football NSW Sapphire Cup Quarter-Final ties were completed this week with Hills United FC and UNSW FC securing their places in the semi-finals following contrasting but impressive victories.
On Tuesday night at Cirillo Reserve, NPL Women’s NSW side Hills United FC delivered a dominant performance to defeat a youthful SD Raiders FC outfit 6-0 and book their spot in the next round.
Paula Gil opened the scoring in the first half before Hills United took full control of the contest after the break, scoring five unanswered goals in a ruthless display. Erin Tavares starred with a standout hat-trick, while Tamsin Buchanan and Zoe Murdoch also added their names to the scoresheet in a comprehensive win.
Thursday night produced the biggest talking point with UNSW FC eliminating reigning two-time Sapphire Cup champions APIA Leichhardt FC at Lambert Park.
In a tightly contested affair, Chloe Smith struck just before half-time in the 43rd minute, a goal that ultimately proved decisive as UNSW FC held firm to claim a famous 1-0 away victory.
Both sides have enjoyed strong campaigns in the NPL Women’s NSW competition, but it was UNSW who rose to the occasion on the night to knock out the defending champions and progress to the semi-finals.
Attention now turns to the remaining two quarter-final fixtures, which will decide the final semi-finalists.
Northern Tigers FC will host Illawarra Stingrays at North Turramurra Recreation Area next Tuesday at 7:00pm, before Western Sydney Wanderers take on Manly United at Wanderers Football Park next Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Both matches will be streamed live and exclusively on Football NSW’s YouTube channel.
