Umina 6 – 0 Southern Ettalong
A dominant showing in the Grand Final and a 6-0 victory saw the E-Gals finish the 2022 Season winning every accolade possible after a tremendous year that exceeded all expectations.
The game started extremely even in the opening 15 minutes as both teams looked to gain the advantage and enjoyed a few half chances at either end. At around the 20-minute mark, Umina started gaining good territory in the opposition’s half as the E-Gals placed a lot of pressure on the Southern backline. A well worked one-two by Kate Styles who found Gemma Crowson with a killer ball finished with ease to give the Grand Final the opening goal. 10 minutes later, Chelsea Campbell found herself one on one on the edge of the box. Beat the first player, and then beat another three on her way to the goal. Campbell placed the ball towards the bottom left corner as a Southern defender tried to clear it off the line and accidentally turned the ball into her own goal to double Umina’s lead at 2-0. Captain Chelsea Campbell then converted the third goal in injury time off a Gemma Crowson pass as her team went into the break three goals to the good.
Looking to get themselves back in the game, Southern came out in the second half and threw everything at the opposition but opened themselves up even more defensively. Sam Fulwood made two huge saves to keep the clean sheet as her teammates at the other end made the most of their opportunities. Gemma Crowson again got a foot in the goal by scoring her second goal of the game and once again getting the first goal of the half. Gemma got her second when Kirby Squires played a solid ball into Gemma on the edge of the box, Gemma took a great touch and even a better finish to take the game to 4-0. Again, Gemma Crowson had the ball on the edge of the box and played it through to Hannah Batten who neatly finished it in the bottom right corner. Batten was able to dedicate her goal to her mother who passed away earlier in the year for a great Grand Final moment. The sixth and final goal was put in by Gemma Crowson after a very neat ball by Kate Styles allowed Crowson to secure a Grand Final hattrick.
“I had a few excuses midway through the year about not dealing with the standards of the fields with all the wet weather. But they were justified in the grand final. A flat, large pitch is where we play our best football,” Steve Donaldson stated as he went on to add. “Our movement of the ball around our midfield, Kate dropping into overload, a solid high line, and tactical diagonal balls to our wingers from all over the field tore apart their defence. In respect to Southern, I don’t think any other WPL team on their best day was going to get close to us on Sunday. An absolute clinic and a half. Big congratulations to Marcus and their squad for their reserve grade winning their Grand Final too. To make two Grand Finals is a massive achievement and should be proud of what they have done for the club.”
Thanks to CCF, the coaching staff, families, the committee, and all our supporters. It’s been a really tough year with so many challenges. But we held strong and won every trophy on offer. Association Cup, League Champions, B2B Grand Final Premiers, Club Championship. 11 in a row to finish the season. And scoring 50 and conceding only 2 goals from our last 9 games. What a finish to the season. Where do we go from that? And lastly, thanks to the girls. It’s been an absolute dream coaching them. One of the best decisions I’ve made in my life taking on the head coach role 4 years ago. The best squad on and off the field. Love my E-Gals.”
MATCH OFFICIAL – Damien Bury
