A brilliant goal from long-range from midfielder, and player of the match, Anneke Corry led Belconnen United to a third Federation Cup Final victory in succession as they recorded a well-deserved 1-0 success over Canberra Croatia on a cold afternoon at McKellar Park.
Corry struck with twenty-one minutes left of the Final, cracking in a right-footed shot from twenty-five metres that arced over the head of Croatia goalkeeper Ellie Summers and into the net, a goal truly worthy of winning any Final.
It was just reward for the Blue Devils who dominated the match from almost the first whistle, keeping Croatia at arms’ length throughout with goalkeeper Matilde Laurel-Tighe relatively untroubled, the shot-stopper only fielding a long-range Brittany Palombi free-kick in the opening half.
At the other end Belconnen struck the woodwork three times. Keira Bobbin rattled the bar early on after getting behind a high Croatia defensive line, whilst after the break Isabella Hindmarsh hit the frame of post and bar with a fierce drive, whilst Alina Roberts hooked a shot over Summers that also cannoned off the bar.
Summers was in great form in goal for Croatia, tipping over Hindmarsh’s dipping drive in the second stanza, and saving a penalty awarded when Michaela Thornton was adjudged to have handled inside the area. Alyssa Di-Campli stepped up for the resultant spot-kick, but Summers guessed correctly to save to her right.
Belconnen were the dominant side in terms of territory and possession, stifling the Croatia threat at source and turning over the ball in areas of the pitch to give them maximum chance of inflating damage.
Whilst this wasn’t the free-flowing, free-scoring Blue Devils that had bulldozed teams into submission throughout the course of the 2025 season, it was a team that was in total control of the contest. Maddie Steinacker and Ailish McDonagh keeping Laurel-Tighe well protected.
Canberra Croatia defended stoutly, rode their luck, and hung on in there, Hannah Bourke in particular a colossus in the centre of defence, but they were unable to summon the necessary quality in attack to find a response to Corry’s majestic 69th minute winner.
MATCH STATISTICS
FEDERATION CUP FINAL
Canberra Croatia 0 Belconnen United 1 (Corry 69’)
(McKellar Park, 12:30)
Canberra Croatia: 1. Ellie SUMMERS, 2. Eliza-Jane NORRIS (25. Angelina BABIC 88’), 4. Hannah BOURKE, 5. Jamie BERKELEY, 7. Ellie RAYMOND (6. Nadia ZAKMAN 80’), 8. Michaela THORNTON, 10. Isabella BARAC, 11. Brittany PALOMBI, 13. Tiana BOOTS (3. Sofia MERKOUREAS 80’), 15. Riley MCQUEENIE (21. Arusha CHEW 60’), 19. Luella COLEMAN
Substitutes not used: 29. Amy BONGIORNO, GK. Megan SNELL
Belconnen United: 1. Matilde LAUREL-TIGHE, 2. Ailish MCDONAGH, 4. Bronte PYKE, 6. Madeline STEINACKER, 8. Anneke CORRY. 11. Keira BOBBIN, 13. Lisa CARY, 17. Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (29. Liliana ALTAMORE 67’), 18. Isabella HINDMARSH, 19. Alex MARTENS (21. Pearl TEIN 67’), 28. Alina ROBERTS (3. Lauren PRESTON 84’)
Substitutes not used: 7. Stefi LEJINS, 35. Maddison SAWKINS, GK. Claire JOSEPH
OFFICIALS
Referee: Aisha STRUTT
Assistant Referees: Cameron WALLACE. Benjamin CRACKNELL
Fourth Official: Hyunwoo JEON
DISCIPLINE: Yellow Cards: 19. Alex MARTENS (Belconnen United), 21. Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia)
Red Cards: None
