Sydney Uni WNPL1 1st grade defeated Premiers Macarthur Rams FC 5-4 in the Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday, 30 August.
Both teams came out firing in what was of the most exciting Grand Finals to be played in the history of Women’s football in New South Wales.
Macarthur went 1-0 up after 16mins from a nice header.
Packed full of blue and gold supporters, Uni equalised in the 19th minute when Stephanie Ambrose curled her free kick from 20 yards around the wall and into the bottom corner.
Rams went up 2-1 in the 25th minute with a tap in at the far post.
In the 30th minute Melissa Caceres went on a run into the box and was brought down and Carla Trimboli converted the penalty inside the left hand post.
Uni came back again though. The Lionesses went up 3-2, when Melissa Caceres put in a beautiful cross to Stephanie Ambrose who finished it with her right foot into the far bottom corner from 9 yards.
In the 46th min Uni went up 4-2 when Natasha Prior flicked on a corner and Liz Grey headed it home from 8 yards.
The Rams fired back, making it 4-3 with a sublime goal in the top corner. In the 52nd minute it was 4-4 when the Rams converted a penalty.
Steph Ambrose whipped in a great cross and Liz Grey shot for the far post from 12 yards which was well parried, but Amy Harrison was in a good spot to tap home for the 5-4 win!
What a game. This is the first piece of silverware at this NPL1 level for the Sydney University Soccer Football Club.
Congratulations to Head Coach Heather Garriock, Technical Director John Curran, Women’s Technical Director and 1st Grade Asst Coach Michael Mantikos, Res Grade Head Coach and 1st Grade Asst Coach Luke Kelly, Res Asst Coach Stephanie La Spada, Manager Karen Ambrose, GK Coach Petr Sestak, and Physios Sara Guevara and Olivia Kennedy on a truly terrific achievement!
Thanks to all who came to support!
Scoreboard
Macarthur Rams 4 (Ledbrook 16’, 45+2’, Duggan 35’, Yeoman-Dale 52’)
Sydney University 5 (Ambrose 18’,42’, Trimboli 41’, Rollason OG 45’, Harrison 70’)
