Woonona Sharks came from a goal down to beat University 2-1 after extra time on Sunday afternoon at Ocean Park.
Brittany Ring was the hero for Woonona, notching a match-winning brace to send the Sharks through to the Women’s Premier League Grand Final.
However, University started the match positively, eager to make an early impression. In the fifth minute, Sophie Boyd lined up a shot from outside the box that bounced to Woonona goalkeeper Anna Simon.
Five minutes later, the Students pushed forward again. Winger Ariana Fleming sent a looping effort back off the crossbar.
In the 13th minute, the Sharks responded with a well-worked move on the left as Laura Green volleyed wide.
The chances continued to flow, and four minutes later, University hit the front. The lively Fleming latched onto a ball into the right channel before sending a low finish across goal.
After a blistering first 20 minutes, Woonona started to work their way back into the game. Ring and Green were looking to provide outlets down the flanks. However, the side couldn’t find an equaliser as University went into the sheds with a valuable lead.
University’s Fleming continued to cause problems after the break. Two minutes in, she shifted the ball inside from the right, placing an effort wide of the far post.
Moments later, Woonona drew level. Green whipped in an accurate right-wing cross for Ring, who nodded past Emma Carstens in the Students’ goal.
The Sharks, buoyed by this equaliser, carried on their pursuit of goals.
Just after the hour mark, Beth Tomlinson sent a free-kick over the bar, and in the 75th minute, Ring blasted over from the left of the box.
Woonona had two more chances in the 10 minutes of regular time. Ring’s dipping volley flew over the top before Jordan Wheatley’s shot on the spin rolled past the right post.
The teams could not be separated at full time, so the match went into extra time.
Woonona started extra time with great promise as Tomlinson and Beth Hirst had shots early on.
Late in the first half of extra time, both sides were reduced to 10 players following an off-the-ball incident with University’s Jasmine Trajceski and Woonona’s Kailee Moore sent off.
With fatigue setting in, it seemed inevitable that penalties would follow. But soon after the second half of extra time kicked off, the Sharks took the lead. Ring received the ball in the left of the box and picked out the top right corner to put the reigning champions in the driving seat for a grand final spot.
The Students had one final chance as the ball came out to captain Rhianna Brown, but the defender skied her shot, allowing Woonona to advance to another big dance.
The Sharks will take on Shoalhaven at WIN Stadium next Sunday, who handed Shellharbour their first defeat of the season, prevailing on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
Report by Tim Gibson
File Photo – @gragrapix
