An early Pearl Tein goal was enough for Belconnen United to retain their Federation Cup title against Canberra Croatia at Deakin Stadium on Saturday, the Blue Devils winning the Cup Final by a solitary goal to nil.
The best attack and best defence in the NPLW this season showed off the latter on their archrivals’ turf, whilst the heroics of the Blue Devils’ back three were further highlighted by the Player of the Match award going to Bronte Pyke.
Scott Conlon’s players start on the front foot, smothering Canberra Croatia in their own half for the first five minutes. The answer for the “home” team came from a series of set pieces, but the eventual outcome would be Belconnen’s goal.
Games sometimes are decided by details. The third consecutive corner kick for Canberra Croatia was cleared away by Reilly Yuen, for what should have been another corner, yet a goal kick was given to Monique Pinkiewicz.
Six passes later, the winning goal was in the back of the net. The lighting speed attack saw the ball going from Pinkiewicz to Tein, via Maddy Steinacker, Pyke, Lauren Preston and Pascale La Hei in nineteen seconds. The midfielder, waiting for La Hei’s cut back pass at the edge of the box, finished with a precise first touch in the bottom left corner, leaving Ellie Summers no chance.
The remaining 80 minutes were a constant battle everywhere on the pitch. If Pyke was deservedly rewarded, Rhiannon Fensom at the other end made a superb comeback in the starting line-up, showcasing her leadership, speed, power and superb decision making.
Belconnen United were the most dangerous going forward for most of the game. In the first half, Isabella Hindmarsh kept Summers on her toes with an attempt from distance, while a few more runs on the right by La Hei were threatening.
Back from the break, it was again the title holders that came close to scoring, with a chance for Sofia Palywoda two minutes in. Preston, Hindmarsh and Palywoda again kept trying from distance without success.
Canberra Croatia would not find a way to really threaten Pinkiewicz. Shots from distance lacked the power to trouble the shot stopped, and the forwards wearing red largely failed to break through the Blue Devils’ defence.
The best chances in the dying embers were again for Belconnen, with Yuen and Hattie Cram getting close to put the game to bed. The early goal did suffice, and Scott Conlon could celebrate a second consecutive Federation Cup crowning with his team, before maybe more silverware, come September.
STATISTICS
Belconnen United (1) 1 (Tein 9’) Canberra Croatia (0) 0
Belconnen United: 1. Monique PINKIEWICZ, 2. Ailish MCDONAGH, 3. Lauren PRESTON, 6. Madeleine STEINACKER, 7. Pascale LA HEI (5. Alyse JENSEN 78’), 8. Sofia PALYWODA, 11. Keira BOBBIN (10. Hattie CRAM 86’), 18. Isabella HINDMARSH (4. Sofia DOUMOS 86’), 21. Pearl TEIN (13. Lisa CARY 86’), 22. Reilly YUEN (17. Alyssa DI-CAMPLI 90+2’), 33. Bronte PYKE
Canberra Croatia: 1. Ellie SUMMERS, 2. Eliz-Jane NORRIS, 4. Rhiannon FENSOM, 5. Jamie BERKELEY, 6. Amy MCLACHLAN, 8. Ella PALFRAMAN (25. Amy BONGIORNO 78’), 9. Isabella BARAC, 10. Tatum MAZIS, 11. Brittany PALOMBI, 16. Dianne WILSON, 19. Megan CASTLE (21. Arusha CHEW 56’)
Substitutes not used: 18. Lilian PITKIN, 23. Madeline ANGEL, 26. Ava WILLIAMS
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Aisha STRUTT
Assistant Referees: Lauren RIDELL, Thomas MCGLADE
Fourth Official: Karla MARTIN
DISCIPLINE
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Words: Jeremy Magan
