Charlestown Azzurri 3-2 Maitland FC
Charlestown Azzurri coach Heath Whyte says that his side showed heart to secure a 3-2 win over Maitland FC and was crowned the 2025 Women’s League Cup Champions at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Sunday night.
Two quick goals from the Blues early in the match set them up for the win to secure the club’s first Women’s League Cup trophy and their second piece of silverware of the season after a gutsy performance in tumultuous conditions.
Azzurri were quick to get on the scoresheet after Melina Ayres made the most of a ball spill from goalkeeper Annabella Thornton in the 11th minute.
Chloe Cattley launched a long-range strike towards the goal, which forced a strong save from Thornton. But the Maitland goalkeeper was unable to keep the ball in her grasp and Ayres pounced on it and struck it into the back of the net.
Charlestown doubled their lead just three minutes later after Chelsea Lucas used her strength and speed to break through and slotted the ball into the goal.
As the rain pelted down, the intensity of the game lifted as Maitland clawed their way back into the contest in the 24th minute.
Georgia Amess crossed the ball into the penalty area, which was headed away by Azzurri’s defence but landed at the feet of Sophie Stapleford, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Charlestown extended their lead once again after a pinpoint cross from Madi Gallegos found the run of Ayres and took the Blues to 3-1 up in the 27th minute.
But the determined Magpies came from behind for a second time in the match when Stapleford netted her second of the evening.
Fancy footwork from Amess saw her tap the ball around defender Kalista Hunter and whipped it into the penalty area to Stapleford, who sliced it passed the reach of goalkeeper Danielle Bartels and into the bottom corner.
Azzurri went into the sheds with a 3-2 advantage which was the way the score remained after a gritty second 45 minutes.
The two sides continued to create opportunities in attack but were unable to affect the scoreline.
The Magpies threw everything they had to get themselves back into the contest, as the attackers pushed up top and Thornton pulled off some top-shelf saves.
But despite their best efforts, the score remained 3-2 at the full-time whistle and Azzurri were crowned the 2025 Women’s League Cup Champions.
Whyte was thrilled with his side’s effort to stick to their game plan and get the job done in tough conditions.
“For our girls, I was impressed with our intent. We had a game plan for the surface and for the weather and they executed it very well. But above all they played with heart and that is a game we really needed,” Wright said.
“About 25 minutes into the second half, we changed our back line to have a bit more of a defensive orientation and made the change in the midfield with the same approach but it still gave us plenty to go forward with.
“It is nice to get some silverware but a player when you are in battle to come out of that arena with a win that is what is important to know that they have put in for each other and to know that they have executed the game plan; that’s a trophy.”
The loss was Maitland’s first defeat of the 2025 season in 11 matches over the NPL Women’s NNSW and Women’s League Cup competitions.
Magpies’ coach Joe Wright was disappointed with the result but credited his side for how they continued to fight until the very end.
“It just wasn’t our night unfortunately,” Wright said.
“The first 15 to 20 minutes hurt us in the long run. You can’t give up two goals against a good side that early in the game.
“I am proud of the girls for fighting back twice to get within a goal and we pushed in that second half but couldn’t quite get there.
“I was really proud of the girls and they continued to fight and push. They threw everything at it to try and get a result or to push the game to extra time but we just came a little bit short today.”
Earlier in the day, Adamstown Rosebud JFC lifted the Cup after a 2(2)-2(4) victory over Charlestown Azzurri in Reserve Grade and Mid Coast FC won 5-1 against Newcastle Olympic in the Under-17s. Charlestown Azzurri defeated New Lambton 2(3)-2(2) in the Under-15s before Adamstown Rosebud JFC won 4-1 against Charlestown Azzurri in the Under-13s.
