Coniston secured the Women’s Illawarra Premier League Youth Grade Grand Final, with a 3-1 win over University in an entertaining and competitive clash at WIN Stadium on Sunday morning.
In a fast-paced first half, Coniston burst into a two-goal lead courtesy of Ahlyra Ward and Tianna Tortorella.
A resurgent University pulled a goal back soon after the hour mark through Jenna Munro, before a red card to goalkeeper Isabella Djokic, setting up an even more interesting finish.
Kellie McIntyre secured the trophy for Coniston in the closing stages of the contest.
Coniston made a bright start to the match, putting their opponents under some early pressure.
In the third minute, Ward snatched the ball in midfield and sprinted down the right flank, before firing a shot straight at University goalkeeper Djokic.
Three minutes later, Ward found herself in on goal again, this time taking her time from a central position and blasting the ball past Djokic to open the scoring.
The chances continued to flow at WIN Stadium. After another save from Djokic, the Students ventured forward through Zahalia Middleton, whose close-range shot prompted an excellent stop from Liliana Spiroski in the Coniston goal.
In the 12th minute, Coniston almost doubled their advantage. Midfielder McIntyre set off on a mazy run toward the right edge of the box and unleashed a curling effort that flew narrowly past the left post.
Seven minutes later, the side showed more promise when Madelaine Steel found room for a shot from the left edge of the box, with Djokic forced into a low save at her near post.
Midway through the half, Coniston doubled their lead. Tortorella raced clean through on goal and calmly slotted the ball home to give her side a commanding lead.
The Students sought a quick response and were awarded a long-range free-kick soon after the restart. Middleton stepped up and sent the ball just over the bar.
Despite University’s spirited response, the sides went into the halftime with Coniston holding a two-goal advantage.
University carried on their pursuit of a route back into the game after the break. Eight minutes in, the ball fell kindly for Hannah Phillips in the box, but her shot looped up, allowing Spiroski to catch comfortably.
Coniston had a chance of their own three minutes later through Elena Miccoli, with her effort deflecting past the right post and behind for a corner.
The Students’ persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute, as they halved their deficit. Munro sent a composed finish from the middle of the area past Spiroski, upping the match’s intensity once more.
However, the match took another twist three minutes later, when Djokic wiped out Tortorella in a one-on-one situation, reducing the University to 10 players.
Eliza Harvey took the gloves for the Students and was soon called into action to deny Tortorella from close in.
Amid the tense tone of the match, Coniston took a giant step towards grand final glory with three regular minutes to play. McIntyre, who had carried her team forward throughout the game, executed a long-range strike that dropped under the bar, nestling in the back of the net.
McIntryre’s goal proved the final action of an exciting clash at WIN Stadium in the Youth Grade Grand Final as Coniston claimed the title.
Report by Tim Gibson
