The Julie Porter Cup for 2024 kicked off over the weekend with two outstanding results in both matches.
Wonoona Sharks became League Champions of the inaugural Illawarra Women’s Premier League for the 2023 season, and proved to continue their superb football in the new year, defeating Bulli 2-0 in the Julie Porter Cup at Ocean Park.
The Illawarra Women’s Premier League 2023 grand final winners, Shellharbour JFC, also showed nothing but dominance on Sunday afternoon with a massive 6-0 victory over Thirroul at Thomas Gibson Park.
Wonoona Sharks 2 Bulli FC 0
On an extremely hot afternoon, Woonona made their intentions clear from the first blow with Tess Stevens making some marauding runs down the left to have Bulli on the back foot.
However, it didn’t take long for the Sharks to grab their first goal of the match when Phoebe Green’s precise pass found Ainsley Hawes, who lobbed Bulli’s keeper Lillian Curley in the 5th minute.
Woonona continued to play smart football and were unlucky not to head into the half-time break with a bigger lead.
The second half began very much the same as the first, with the Sharks looking to extend their lead. However, they wouldn’t have it all their way with Bulli looking strong and hitting their opponents hard through multiple counter attacks.
The away sides attacking chances however, just weren’t enough to crack a well-built Sharks defence line.
Woonona’s constant barrage on Bulli in the second half was finally rewarded, when Ainsley Hawes found Sophie Heath just outside the box, with an elegant finish in the 73rd minute, sealing Woonona’s well deserved 2-0 victory.
Thirroul JFC 0 Shellharbour 6
The hot conditions continued down at Thomas Gibson Park with both Shellharbour and Thirroul coming out strong to grab control of the game.
Both sides would have their chances, but it was Shellharbour’s newest signing, Madelaine Costanzo, who bagged the first goal of the match in the 8th minute.
It wasn’t until 30 minutes later, when Nikola Wilson bagged her first, with a 2-0 lead for Shellharbour before the half-time break.
The second half commenced with Thirroul really pushing forward, showing great confidence. However, an eager Shellharbour side would soon shut down any attacking chances, creating their own once once more through Costanzo, extending the lead with a header, setting the scores at 3-0.
Shellharbour fired up in the 58th minute, scoring 3 goals through Costanzo and Wilson in just six minutes.
Thirroul fought hard, but the 2023 grand final champions proved their strength once again, taking home a dangerous 6-0 win over their opponents.
Round 2 of the Julie Porter Cup will commence this coming Sunday, where the Albion Park White Eagles will come up against Bulli FC at Balls Paddock.
Meanwhile, Thirroul JFC will also head into their second match for the cup against the University of Wollongong at Koolobong Oval.
