UOWFC TAKE HOME THE BONNIE LASSIE CUP FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS
It was a wet and rainy day for the Bonnie Lassie Cup finals on Sunday afternoon with the elimination rounds commencing in the early morning.
Debutantes South Coast Flame took out last year’s Cup grand finalist’s Kiama Quarriers in the first elimination match of the day. Both teams went out with their strongest sides and finished 1-1, resulting in a penalty shoot-out. Flame won an epic shootout 8-7.
Woonona knocked out their neighbours Bulli in the second elimination match whilst newcomers Shellharbour edged out Cringila 1-0, sending themselves straight into the Quarter-Final alongside Fernhill who won through by virtue of a forfeit.
Reigning Champions University defeated Woonona 1-0 in the first Quarter-Final before defeating Wollongong United 2-0 in the Semi Final who themselves earlier defeated Fernhill 1-0 in their Quarter-Final match.
Albion Park came up against strong contenders Shellharbour in their Quarter-Final, seeing the match result in a second penalty shoot-out for the day. Albion Park defeated Shellharbour 5-4. Shellharbour will take great heart from that moving into the season. Albion Park then went on to defeat Thirroul in the other Semi Final to book their place in the Final.
The Final saw defending champions University battle Albion Park. The two teams battled it out to the very end with University perhaps guilty of missing the best chances of the match whilst Albion Park’s goalkeeper did incredibly well keeping them strong and in the game with outstanding saves.
With both sides holding their ground, the match ended scoreless and resulted in a penalty shoot-out. It was UOWFC who held their composure best as they prevailed in the penalty shoot-out 5-3 and defending their trophy. The Unicorn’s Rihanna Brown was awarded Player of the Match.
The Plate matches were unfortunately cancelled due to the weather but will be looked to be rescheduled later on in the year.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Division One Premiership will kick off this weekend with 11 teams battling it out.
Report by Alison Dinh, on Twitter @alisondinh_
Photo Credit: Graham Brown
