Premiers Bulls FC Academy Grand Finals Bound

Bulls FC Academy are the first team to book their place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Grand Final after a gruelling extra-time win over the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday evening. 

The Premiers needed the extra 30 mins to overcome a brave Rangers side whose phenomenal season comes to an end.

It was the Bulls who had the lead at the break, Claudia Valetta opening the scoring, only for the veteran Leena Khamis to equalise on the hour mark.

But it would be the Bulls that would push on in extra time, captain Liz Grey scoring late in the first half of extra time, while Jade Guichon sealed their Grand Final spot late on.

With the first chance of the game, the Bulls were in front.

Daniela Naemi who has been solid all season, found space on the right and delivered a perfect cross to the far post finding Claudia Valletta who placed the ball into the back of the net.

Mt Druitt’s first chance went the way of Rosie Galea, Mio Nemoto saving well from a very well struck free kick from some 25 metres out.

Avani Prakash then had an opportunity for the Premiers but her shot was easily saved by Renee Krstanovska.

On 30 minutes it was almost 2-0, Gemma Ferris crossing in from the left, finding Isabella Coco Di Sipio, the attackers volley bouncing off the cross bar.

As the match approached the half time break, Ena Harada let fly with an effort, Nemoto scrambling as the ball flashed wide of the post.

The first chance of the second half saw a lovely team move by the Bulls between Petria Phillips and Coco Di Sipio end with Phillips having her effort blocked.

Moments later though and the Rangers were level.

Galea looped a ball to the far post where Khamis leapt above all, heading the ball over Nemoto and into the back of the net.

A typical Khamis goal, lifting her team when the chips were down.

The Bulls looked more likely to score the next goal, putting the Rangers under pressure after consecutive corners.

The Rangers had a corner of their own in stoppage time but the situation was dealt with by the Bulls.

The first chance in extra time led to a goal.

Used to seeing the Bulls captain score headed goals, this time Liz Grey showed her quality with her feet, finding the bottom corner of Krstanovska’s goal to push Marty Garces team to a 2-1 lead.

The Bulls thought they had a third after Coco Di Sipio cored, only for the assistant referees flag to be raised, denying the Premiers a third.

Desperate to find an equaliser, Ben Gough’s side threw everything they had forward leaving serious gaps in defence.

And Jade Guichon took advantage of that late in the game.

Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, the substitute took a touch and curled the ball beyond Krstanovska and into the bottom corner securing the victory.

The Bulls march on to next week’s Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium, while Mt Druitt’s return to the top tier has been one to remember and be proud of.

Match Stats

Bulls FC Academy 3 (Valletta 3’, Grey 101’, Guichon 120))

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Khamis 60’)

(1-1 FT Bulls win 3-1 AET)

Sunday, 6 September

Valentine Sports Park

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Nemoto, 5. Grey, 6. Hogarth Scott, 7. Prakash (17. Dos Santos), 8. Valetta, 10. Souza (2. Callil), 11. Naemi (33. Guichon), 12. Melli, 14. Phillips, 16. Coco-Di Sipio (33. Guichon), 18. Ferris.

Substitutes Not Used: 4. Davies, 13. Johns, 31. Taylor.

Yellow Cards: Ferris, Souza.

Red Cards: Nil.

Mt Druitt Twon Rangers: 88. Krstanovska, 2. K. Buchanan, 15. Galea, 17. Sloan (27. Hill), 18. Tavares (10. Holder), 19. Khamis, 23. Flavin (8. Casha), 28. Tanaka (24. Robinson), 30. Al Fararjeh, 31. Buchanan (34. Hook), 32. Harada.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Tredinnick.

Yellow Cards: Casha, Tanaka, Khamis.

Red Cards: Nil.

-By Nikola Pozder