APIA Leichhardt successfully overcame a determined Illawarra Stingrays outfit 1-0 on Saturday evening to reach their first-ever NPL Women’s First Grade Grand Final in front of the Lambert Park faithful.
With both sides arriving at this semi-final after a long season of fighting for a spot in the top four, the match was destined to be a closely-fought encounter.
APIA coach Brad Attard would have wanted to see his side go one better than last year when they were defeated at this stage by 2023’s surprise package Bulls FC Academy despite winning the Premiership.
The home team were able to see out the match after taking an early lead, with Ashlie Crofts’ timely return from injury giving her side a boost. The visitors crafted plenty of chances of their own and often dominated the match, even without suspended midfield maestro Hayley Taylor-Young.
The last thing the Stingrays needed was an early goal from APIA, however the home team would gain the ascendancy in the 4th minute through Lancaster, who did brilliantly to bend an in-swinging corner beyond Sophie Emery which the Illawarra No. 1 was unable to keep out despite her best efforts.
The visitors found it tough to get out of their own half in the opening 15 minutes, with chances limited for both sides.
As the Stingrays grew into the game the likes of Estelle Fragale, Tanya Borazio and Natasha Prior stepped up to keep APIA in the ascendancy with their tidy work in midfield and defence.
In the 26th minute, Crofts, who looked eager to impress having only recently returned from injury, turned her defender and unleashed a powerful strike from distance that was caught by Emery.
Ami Dekimura looked lively for the Stingrays, often dropping into midfield to provide some gusto and creative spark. The dynamic attacker had the visitors’ first shot on target when she met an Alex McKenzie cross with a tame header that was easily collected by Sally James in the APIA net.
Lancaster would again trouble the Stingrays with her left foot in the 38th minute after hitting a low cross toward Crofts, who held off her defender and proceeded to fire off a strike that drew a spectacular save from Emery, who dropped to meet the ball and prevent it from hitting the back of the net, thus keeping her side in the match heading into the half-time break.
The chances came thick and fast for both sides at the onset of the second half, with the connection between Sophie Hoban and Crofts almost leading to a second for APIA after Crofts headed just wide of the far post in the 48th minute.
Siobhan Edwards and Dekimura shaped up for strikes of their own in the 51st minute, but were both denied by APIA’s defenders. The home side immediately looked to counter but had their chance snuffed out by a resolute Stingrays defence.
The Stingrays were forced to remain patient as the second half carried on, with APIA refusing the visitors any leeway as the second forty-five went on.
However, Illawarra had a golden opportunity to manifest an equaliser in the 74th minute as Nojima linked up with substitute Brooklyn Hudson, who played through Sofia Christopherson on the wing, with the No. 28 for Illawarra squaring the ball to the late-arriving Caitlin Cooper for a skied effort.
The chance proved to be a catalyst for the Stingrays, who put APIA on the back foot through the likes of Sienna Saveska attempting to string together some quick interchanges.
APIA substitute Gisella Pipino had an incredible impact for her side in this late stage of the game, as she proved to be an effective outlet in storming up the pitch to give her side a much-needed reprieve on several occasions.
Christopherson, who was a nuisance for APIA throughout the match, had a chance of her own to equalise in the 83rd minute after being unlocked by a brilliant looping ball over the top of the Leichhardt defence, however she was unable to beat James in her attempt to bury the ball into the bottom right corner.
Lancaster came off in the 87th minute for her side after a strong performance, having provided what was to be the game-winner in the end.
As the game headed toward the conclusion, APIA elected to withstand the Stingrays’ attacking momentum and to give up possession and make the rare stride forward.
Despite the best efforts of the visitors to break them down, APIA were able to hold on to a 1-0 in the end.
The elation was clear to see on and off the field, with APIA’s players and supporters alike celebrating their debut Grand Final set to be played next Saturday at CommBank Stadium with kick off set for 2pm.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Lancaster 3’)
Illawarra Stingrays 0
Lambert Park,
Leichhardt
Saturday, 31 August, 2024
APIA Leichhardt: 90. James, 3. Borazio, 4. Prior, 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster (14. Golding), 11. Crofts (9. Gentle), 16. Fragale, 17. Hristodoulou (15. Pipino), 18. Hoban, 24. Young, 25. Hayward
Illawarra Stingrays: 1. Emery, 3. McKenzie, 4. Dekimura, 8. Middleton, 11. Nojima, 14. Matos, 15. Edwards (34. Hudson), 15. Cooper, 23. Saveska, 28. Christopherson, 39. Hooks
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Words by Matthew Badrov
