The Palerang United Women’s team continued their strong form from last week as they played Belwest in their final round of the Heather Reid Cup before the finals of the pre premiership tournament. Palerang United were sitting second behind Belwest with a win and a draw from the first two rounds and Belwest proving to be the team to beat in our pool with 2 wins.
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The game was a replay of last year’s grand final with Belwest winning that game however Palerang United were looking for some revenge and made a good start to the game. Both teams had several chances to take the lead but it was looking like the scores would be tied going into halftime until a chipped miss hit shot scooped up over the head of the Palerang United keeper to give Belwest the lead.
As hard as we tried in the second half to get the equaliser, the Belwest defence scrambled well to repel each attacking raid of a determined Palerang United team. The shortened format of the pre prem cup saw time run out and a 1-0 loss was the result.
Although we had suffered a loss the result in the other pool game saw us still in second place and into the semi final against the first placed team of the other pool in our competition.
Narrabundah were undefeated with 3 wins from their pool games but Palerang United went into the game with a positive attitude and the knowledge of knowing that if we were close enough at half time then we stood a chance of finishing stronger than most teams we had played.
The game started with Narrabundah knocking the ball around well and creating an early chance and taking it to take the lead after just 5 minutes. Palerang United regrouped well though and finished the half stronger with a few more chances on goal. Narrabundah played with some good composure in the early stages of the second half but Palerang United played with a high pressing style to create some fantastic opportunities on goal. Matilda Corby made a strong tackle on the Narrabundah defender to steal the ball on the edge of the goal box and then with ease guided the ball neatly into the Narrabundah goal to level the scores. Some outstanding defending from Kaylah Jullienne and Holly Wells frustrated the Narrabundah attack and Courtney Doyle was everywhere in midfield creating havoc and more opportunities for the Palerang United team. Narrabundah were running out of steam as the Palerang United Women had the final kick of normal time with a shot narrowly flying over the crossbar from Emily Malone and extra time was needed to get a result. After Palerang United dominating extra time with 6 shots on goal to Narrabundah’s 1 the game could have slipped from our grasp as the lottery of the penalty shootout was inevitable. Palerang United were first on the spot and keeper Emily Malone lined up the shot but narrowly shot wide of the goal. Narrabundah hit the lead as the first penalty taker shot confidently into the goal. Kaylah Jullienne strode up to the spot and competently slotted the ball into the goal to make the score 1-1 on penalties. The second Narrabundah player slotted in her shot to make it 2-1 to them. Tamara Roberts was next at the spot and nonchalantly stepped up to the spot to slam the ball into the top right hand corner. Scores 2-2. Emily Malone then saved the next shot to get Palerang United back into the shootout. Lauren Campbell gracefully slotted the next shot in to give Palerang United the lead 3-2. Emily Malone saved Narrabundah’s next shot and with just one more shot for each team Courtney Doyle only needed to score to hand Palerang United the win. Courtney Doyle slammed the ball into the net and the ladies raced to embrace her as her goal sealed a spot in the grandfinal and a chance to win our first cup.
Belwest were our opposition for the grandfinal and the favourites after playing 4 games and still yet to concede a goal. Palerang United were pumped though and knew that if we were close enough at halftime then we would get them in the end. The game started with both teams playing some great football and creating good chances. Defensively both teams were solid though, not wanting to give the other a chance to hit the lead. As halftime drew closer Palerang United were showing signs of wearing down the Belwest team physically. The second half was a fantastic display of attacking football as Emily Malone scored twice in quick succession to take the game away from Belwest. Palerang United found another gear as Belwest started to stall and the game finished with the Ladies of Palerang United getting the revenge from last season’s loss in the grandfinal and playing as well as they have played in the short time they have been together.
Outstanding effort Ladies and you are now the Heather Reid Cup Champions of 2014 beating Belwest 2-0. Bring on the season!