Kiama Quarriers def Coniston FC 2-1 @ Ian McLennan Park
The Quarriers stunned Coniston FC, winning their way to the Julie Porter Cup Final. Kiama have defied the odds throughout the tournament. Having been invited into the Cup competition as the best placed All Age 1 Women’s team, they topped their group and now, for the first time, will feature in the final.
It was a fast-paced start for both teams with the ball zipping around on the synthetic surface. Coniston FC appeared to control the early stages of the game.
Tianna Tortorella capitalised on an errant back pass on 19 minutes, having dispossessed her opponent before cutting in and curling her effort into the corner from just inside the box. Coniston 1-0.
The lead didn’t last long. Just three minutes later, a Kiama free kick was launched in the box. It wasn’t effectively dealt with, as it fell to Brianna Taylor, who dispatched her effort, levelling the scores.
The game opened up with half-chances at both ends; however, there was no further score before the break.
Coniston started the second half well, and despite their possession and chances, they failed to dent a stubborn Kiama defence.
Just as the game was heading for a draw and penalty shootout. Kiama swung a corner into the box. Alyce Quad got a glancing header that saw the ball bounce into the far corner which proved decisive.
Coniston pushed hard in the final minutes to no avail as Kiama incredibly booked their place in the final.
Shellharbour FC def Shoalhaven FC 4-0 @ Ian McLennan Park
In the second semi final, Shellharbour made light work of Shoalhaven.
Samara Wehmeyer received a pass inside through the midfield inside two minutes before calmly slotting the ball past Jillian Scott to give Shellharbour the perfect start.
Wehmeyer was once again involved in the second midway through the first half. She managed to maintain possession under pressure in midfield before laying off to Madelaine Costanzo who rifled a shot from 25 yards into the roof of the net.
Shoalhaven managed to stem the tide and momentum whilst creating a few chances of their own.
Shellharbour were determined not to give their opposition a sniff as they dominated possession and chances for the majority of the second half. Scott doing well to keep Shoalhaven in the game with several strong saves off Costanzo.
It was all but over midway through the second half when Wehmeyer took possession from a throw in. She managed to find a yard of space on the edge of the penalty area out wide before firing a shot that looped over Scott inside the far post. Shellharbour now led 3-0.
Kari Gonzalez iced the game late on after some delightful footwork saw her half volley a shot beyond Scott to cap off a great night for Shellharbour.
Both teams played the game in great spirit with mutual respect shown.
Kiama will face their biggest test in the final but they have shown time and time again, they are not to be underestimated. We look forward to the final.
Time, date and venue to be confirmed shortly.
