Several teams of the newly formed Women’s Premier League got their taste of official football this week with the return of the Julie Porter Cup.
This year’s cup will consist of all six of the Women’s Premier League team’s which include: Albion Park White Eagles, Bulli FC, Shellharbour Juniors, Thirroul FC, University FC, and Woonona FC.
On a hot Sunday afternoon, round one of the Julie Porter Cup kicked off at Terry Reserve, where we saw University FC take home a 2-0 victory over Bulli in the first fixture of the day. The second fixture kicked off later in the afternoon with the Albion Park White Eagles effortlessly defeating Thirroul FC 6-0.
University FC 2 Bulli FC 0
The two sides battled it out in the heat until the very end, but it was last year Women’s Division 1 grand final champions University FC, who took out a 2-0 victory over Bulli FC.
It took 42 minutes for the sides to be separated when Alicia Bamford slipped a ball in towards the back post where Amy Morrell managed to get there before Bulli’s goalkeeper and tapped it into the bottom left corner.
In the 65th minute, a great strike from outside the box by Sian McGavock saw the ball fly over the keeper and into the top right corner securing the Unicorns 2-0 win over Bulli.
Albion Park White Eagles 6 Thirroul FC 0
The second match for round one commenced at 3pm, where we saw Albion Park White Eagles hit Thirroul for six in what was a special tribute match for APWE.
The opening goal was scored in the 11th minute of the match with neat build up play from the back line before a precise diagonal ball from Robyn Moylan was sent into the feet of Eliza Cowan who easily slotted the ball into the back of the net.
26 minutes in, a low ball from Karissa High found Cowan in the centre of the box once more, scoring her second goal of the match for APWE.
The second half commenced, and it was Cowan who would secured a hat-trick after neatly finishing a one on one chance, making it 3-0.
Shortly after, APWE continued their scoring streak with a cut back ball into the feet of Alyssa Petrovic who placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
The fifth goal for Albion Park came in the 57th minute with an accurate tap in from an outstanding Cowan, scoring her fourth goal for the match!
Thirroul never gave up and had several break away chances, but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Park’s Robyn Moylan would soon take a long range shot at goal, before a rebound ball fell towards Sophie Ziragannis who unloaded from the edge of the 18-yard box, placing her strike top corner and securing Park’s resounding win over Thirroul.
Round two of the Julie Porter Cup will take place at Balls Paddock next Sunday afternoon, where Thirroul FC will take on Woonona Sharks in the first fixture for the day at 1pm with hosts Bulli FC taking on Shellharbour JFC in the 3pm fixture, later that afternoon.
