Canberra United Academy edged past Canberra Olympic for the second time in the 2023 finals series, winning the Women’s National Premier League Reserve Grand Final with a 2-1 triumph thanks to a brace of first-half goals.
After Canberra Olympic striker Anna Vandenbroucke had lobbed the first-half chance of the final over the crossbar, getting a half-metre on the defence, the Academy struck midway through the opening half.
Awarded a free-kick on their left-flank, Bonnie Young whipped over a pacey cross that proved too hot for Isabella Williams to handle, the ‘keeper palming the ball into the air only for Tamara Cochrane to nod home from a yard.
It didn’t take long for Olympic to level however, a pass behind the Academy defence freed the speedy Alexia Cerne who got to the ball ahead of Eliza Evans and finished in off the base of the ‘keeper’s left-hand post.
The Academy were back in front in six minutes before the interval when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Tiana Ruberto took the responsibility and struck her penalty low into the net, Williams getting a hand on the ball but unable to prevent it entering the goal.
There were chances for both teams in the second-half, Evans had to be alert to deny Cerne and Tehya Aspland, the goalkeeper in excellent form on her way to winning the Player of the Match award, whilst Cochrane almost grabbed a second, lifting her shot over Williams but seeing it rebound off the crossbar.
However, with Evans in fine form, Olympic were unable to find a way through and the Academy recorded a well-deserved success.
MATCH STATISTICS
Saturday 23 September
Canberra United Academy 2 (Cochrane 22’, Ruberto 38’ (p)) Canberra Olympic 1 (Cerne 28’)
Canberra Academy United: 18. Eliza EVANS, 5. Maddison SAWKINS, 7. Nina ZAREVAC (25. Maya OSMOND 69’), 8. Tiana BOOTS, 10. Perri NASH, 11. Tiarna RUBERTO, 19. Sienna SCARANO (31. Holly MCPHERSON 61’), 20. Alissa BARBOUR (9. Elisha WILD 69’), 21. Angelina BABIC, 28. Bonnie YOUNG (4. Natalie CHANG 84’), 29. Tamara COCHRANE
Substitutes not used: 59. Uma OSBORNE
Canberra Olympic: 20. Isabella WILLIAMS, 7. Brittany FIORESE, 10. Isabella SHEA (49. Jasmine VIKAN 67’), 11. Chloe RUDD, 14. Rhiannon DAVIS, 15. Tia BURRIDGE (53. Emily VAN DER DRIFT 84’), 24. Isabella WALLACE (51. Sienna NESS 67’), 25. Anna VANDENBROUCKE (48. Lily D’ADDARIO 59’), 27. Alexia CERNE, 29. Tehya ASPLAND, 31. Kiara GASPARI (35. Laura BERRY 67’)
Match Officials: Nick BLAIR (Referee), Thomas MCGLADE (Assistant Referee 1), Harold SPANNER (Assistant Referee 2), Harrison CRACKNELL (Fourth Official)
Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 5. Maddison SAWKINS (Canberra United Academy), 25. Maya OSMOND (Canberra United Academy), 35. Laura BERRY (Canberra Olympic)
RED CARDS: None
Player of the Match: 18. Eliza EVANS (Canberra United Academy)