The sun continued to shine as talented footballers showcased their talents at the 2025 Emerging Matildas Championships.
Day five saw Northern NSW Football secure two wins and a loss.
The under-15s secured a thrilling 4-1 win over Football Queensland Maroon to progress to the championship match.
The match was high intensity from the first whistle as both teams had so much to play for.
NNSWF and Football Queensland Maroon created opportunities to edge ahead early on.
But Football Queensland Maroon broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after they were awarded a free kick outside the box.
NNSWF continued to push in attack in hopes of equalising before half-time, which they did in the 30th minute through Mayan Harkness.
Harkness stood in the six-yard box and sliced the ball into the bottom left corner with a classy one-touch finish.
The sides went into half-time locked up 1-1, but momentum began to swing in NNSWF’s favour.
Mackenzie Preston-Poole gained the lead for NNSWF two minutes into the second half after she continued to apply pressure to the Football Queensland Maroon defensive line and ran onto a miscalculated pass.
Football Queensland Maroon goalkeeper came out to the top of the six-yard box, but Preston-Poole manoeuvred her way around her and tapped the ball into the back of an empty net.
NNSWF continued to push to add to their tally and the moment came in the 51st minute after Sunny Alston launched the ball from the corner, over the players and into the top left corner.
Preston-Poole got her second goal of the day just two minutes later after she beat three Football Queensland Maroon defenders and sliced the ball into the goal in the 53rd minute.
Football Queensland Maroon were not backing down as they continued to fight until the end.
But back-to-back saves by NNSWF goalkeeper Quiola Arthur in the dying moments of the game denied them the opportunity and secured her side the 4-1 victory.
The under-15s will take on Football NSW Sky tomorrow in the championship match.
The under-16s went down 1(3)-1(1) in their placement semi-final against Football Victoria White.
Both sides came out firing as they looked to avoid playing a second match later in the day.
NNSWF dominated possession in the first half with early attempts by Tahlia Nicholson and Sophie Johnson but were unable to capitalise.
The moment finally came for the under-16s after Ceanna Frost netted her first goal of the tournament in the 22nd minute.
Frost’s goal proved to be enough in the first half as the side went into half-time leading 1-0.
NNSWF continued to push to extend the lead, but Football Victoria White scored the equaliser in the 42nd minute.
The two sides battled it out until the final whistle but could not be separated, sending them to penalties.
Liliana Pinner stepped up for NNSWF to take the first penalty and calmly slotted it into the goal before Football Victoria White netted their first.
Frost looked to net the second penalty but was denied by Football Victoria White’s goalkeeper, but pressure from NNSWF’s goalkeeper Marli Demir forced them to miss their second attempt.
Charlee Fahey appeared to gain the lead for her side with the third penalty but was required to retake the shot where it was saved.
Football Victoria White netted their third attempt of the afternoon.
Johnson looked to net NNSWF’s second goal when her shot hit the crossbar and down into the goal, but the assistant referee deemed it did not go over the line.
Football Victoria White locked in their 1(3)-1(1) victory after their fourth shot went into the back of the net.
They looked to re-group before they played their second game of the day.
The under-16s took the field for the final time when they defeated Charles Perkins XI 2-0.
The two teams came out determined to end their tournament with a win as they both searched to open the scoring.
Ceanna Frost pushed to gain the lead for NNSWF in the ninth minute but hit the crossbar, while Hanna Abson hit the goal post in the 21st minute.
It appeared the sides would go into half-time locked 0-0, but it was NNSWF who broke the deadlock first.
Back-to-back bottom-left finishes from Charlotte Bunny and Makayde Goldman in the 27th and 28th minutes secured a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Charles Perkins Xl looked to get their name on the scoreboard in the 42nd minute after they found themselves in front of an open goal.
But a two-on-one defence by Lily Sutton and Julieanne Fox proved to be too strong and denied them the chance.
NNSWF continued to push for a third goal, but the score remained 2-0 when the final whistle blew.
The under-16s finished the tournament in seventh place.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge applauded the under-15s for winning the semi-final and was proud of the way the under-16s closed the tournament.
“The under-15s have done a fantastic job to get here. They are a really close group on and off the field and I think that it’s absolutely paying off,” Doidge said.
“They had a fantastic performance in the semi-final with some key individuals really showing some bravery and some creativity to score some great goals.
“Whilst they were always composed at the back, with some real determination not to concede. Hopefully they can take that into the game tomorrow into the championship match.
“The effort from the under-16s has been incredible. They deserved to finish strong in terms of the performances they’ve put in so far.”
Championship Match
Under-15s
NSW Sky vs Northern NSW
Sunday 20 July, 10am
Valentine Sports Park, Field 1
More on the Emerging Matildas Championships
CLICK HERE to view the Official Emerging Matildas Championships Digital Program with Fixtures
CLICK HERE to watch* the Emerging Matildas Championships thanks to KommunityTV (*subscription required)
CLICK HERE to view the live tables and results
