FINAL
Southern Ettalong v Terrigal
After completing a heroic comeback and going level at 2-2, Terrigal were moments away from taking Southern to extra time only for the Lionesses’ Letisha McCormick to step up in the last play of the game and produce an unstoppable strike to send her side to the Grand Final.
It was a tale of two halves in this do-or-die clash between Southern Ettalong and Terrigal. Southern started the opening 45 minutes in a determined fashion as the Lionesses looked to put their disappointing loss to Umina just the previous week behind them. After an arm-wrestle in the opening 15 minutes as both teams jousted for possession and to assert their dominance, it was Southern who started the better of the two clubs. At the 25-minute mark, Tatum Ansiewicz crossed in a beautiful ball on her left foot which made its way to the dangerous Emily Diaz, Diaz was able to control the ball and turn her defender in one swift motion as she unleashed a right-foot rocket that left the opposition goalkeeper zero chance and gave her side an important 1-0 lead. Just 5 minutes later a precise through ball once again fell to the feet of an oncoming Emily Diaz who got goal side of her defender as she took a first-time shot that once again left the Terrigal keeper zero chance of saving as she doubled her team’s lead to 2-0. Terrigal looked to grab one back before the halftime whistle as they grew more and more in attack as the half progressed. However, Terrigal was unable to convert any of their chances as the score remained 2-0 heading into the break.
Terrigal changed up their tactics at halftime and looked to be more attacking in the second period. It was almost as if the halves just flipped as a fired-up and determined Terrigal came out with a vengeance in the second half and dominated Southern as they looked for goals. Multiple chances presented themselves for Terrigal, the first was slotted away from away by Jordy Toms-Wedge from a Sophie Piltz corner. The second was off a cross in which Rachel Darby connected with a great header that flew into the back of the net to take the game level. Terrigal thought they found a go-ahead goal only for it to be disallowed as they were unlucky not to capitalise on several opportunities. Southern had a few chances of their own but was stopped by the wonderful goalkeeping of Mackenzie Walker. With extra time on the cusp, Letisha McCormack connected on to through ball and took off down the left as she made her way into the box and hit a wonderful strike into the top corner with only moments to go to win the match for her side and send them into the Grand Final.
Gregory Parker sends his best wishes to Southern in the Grand Final against Umina. “There were refereeing decisions made during the second half which were puzzling to say the least. Congratulations to Southern on their progression to the grand final. Peter Blair and I wish them good fortune against Umina. They took the best advantage of the chances that were presented to them throughout the game and came away with the win. Well done.”
Parker also stated that he and his squad will be back stronger next season. “I would like to thank the coaching staff and the wonderful players at Terrigal United who have come so far this season. Our playing style is to be commended. Whilst we are disappointed there is so much to take away from this season including getting both Reserve and First Grade into Preliminary Finals. 2023 will be even better!”
Marcus Warwick has high praise for the opposition and their coaching staff who look to play a respectable style of football. “Terrigal is an amazing team, and I really respect the coaching staff they have. I think they push for great football and to be down 2-0 and come back the way they did, nothing but work ethic and heart can achieve that. I congratulate them on having both teams in the finals as I know it is a very difficult task.”
“Now my girls are all in the grand finals, two from two, Shayne and I couldn’t be prouder of the squad. The work that has gone into achieving this milestone has been tough, hard work, lots of hours on the pitch training, and pushing themselves to new limits, but this is why we do it, for this Sunday,” added Warwick.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Isaac Kastelan