REVIEW: NPL Women’s Grand Final- Two Long-range screamers secure treble for Belconnen
Belconnen United bagged two stunners to see off Canberra Croatia in the NPL Women’s Grand Final, to wrap up a third trophy of the season.
The match marked the eighth meeting between the two in 2026, and having drawn, excluding penalties, in their last four encounters, with the last two being 0-0, fine margins were set to define the encounter.
Early in the match Croatia looked to have started the stronger, however Belconnen grew into the game, and almost took a first half lead after Alina Roberts was played through, although the winger’s curling effort was denied by a one-handed Ellie Summers save.
The Blue Devils continued to create openings for themselves, as first Leila Billington was denied close-range by Summers, before a well-hit pass across the face of goal couldn’t be finished off into an empty net by Alyssa Di-Campli.
0-0 the score at the break, Croatia began to create clearer opportunities for themselves and could’ve taken the lead in the second period after Tianah Miro judged the bounce of the ball to beat her marker into the box, but there to anticipate and make the tackle was an inspired Rhiannon Fensom.
Both sides had more chances before the end of the 90, however the score remained goalless, and the game set for extra-time.
Seven minutes in the deadlock was broken, after Fensom’s ball towards Hattie Cram eventual fell to the feet of Izzy Hindmarsh, who from some-30 metres out, struck the ball past Ellie Summers.
It was a goal that Hindmarsh and the Blue Devils fans in attendance will certainly never forget, and despite the quality of the first, one final moment of brilliance all-but secured the win for the Blue Devils.
With Croatia seeking a goal back, and Ginger Oliver denied another long-range effort on goal, the team trailing had a corner at the end of 105 minutes.
The delivery, via a touch from Belconnen goalkeeper Matilde Laurel-Tighe, found Ellie Raymond at the back post, whose shot was blocked on the goal line, before Izzy Hindmarsh, already having a game to remember, sprayed an accurate pass on the turn out to Hattie Cram near the halfway line to counter.
The 84th-minute substitute Cram raced in behind, and spotting Summers off her line, the forward struck from long range over the retreating Croatia custodian and into the back of the net with the final action of the half.
That goal was enough to see Belconnen clear of their closest competitors, who pushed them right to the end yet again, however had no reply to two goals of the highest quality, on the Grand Final stage no less.
