Preliminary Final
Maitland FC 0-1 Charlestown Azzurri
Charlestown coach Heath Whyte believes his club is on the right path towards sustainable, long-term success after Azzurri downed Maitland FC 1-0 in the preliminary final on Saturday.
The Blues booked their ticket to the grand final for the first time in the club’s history after a gritty victory over the premiers at Cooks Square Park.
The two teams came out of the blocks desperate to keep their season alive and advance through to the grand final.
But it was Charlestown who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Ella Joyce.
Melina Ayres received the ball off a throw in, which she was able to chip to herself before she sliced the ball through Maitland’s defence and into Joyce’s path.
The striker hit the ball on the half-volley past the reach of Magpies goalkeeper Annabella Thornton and into the back of the net.
Whyte said the win meant a lot to everyone at the club as Charlestown qualified for its first NPL Women’s NNSW first grade grand final.
“Absolute joy and a sense of accomplishment [is what we’re feeling],” Whyte said.
“What I think is fantastic is that we have four women’s teams in the grand final. We are on the right path.
“There are a lot of important people in the club who are passionate about women’s football.”
Whyte was pleased with how his players stuck to the gameplan and shut Maitland down in attack.
“The girls executed our plan brilliantly,” Whyte said.
“We have worked really hard on our defence and on quick transitions to get organised. We were very quick in terms of transitions.
“The plan was to play first with the head and then with the heart. What I mean by that is we have a strategy and a plan and then in the last 15 minutes when everyone is out on their feet show some heart.
“They played with a lot of ticker and it was a dog fight in the trenches for the last part of the match.”
Whyte said a big part of the team’s success this season had been the comradery amongst the group.
“We have always had the belief that we can do it,” Whyte said.
“They are a lovely bunch of girls and have been a joy and delight to coach. We have some good comradery amongst the group. They have become a very supportive group of each other on and off the pitch.
“There is a good feel amongst the team. They are confident about their football.”
Charlestown continued to threaten in attack after Joyce’s early opener but Maitland refused to let the game get away from them.
Bronte Peel looked to equalise for the Magpies in the 40th minute with a spectacular strike from outside the penalty area. But her shot was saved by the fingertips of goalkeeper Malli Blanch, who tipped the ball onto the crossbar.
Azzurri went into the sheds at half-time with the one-goal advantage away from home.
The end-to-end action continued in the second half as Peel struck the crossbar again after a quick counterattack from the Magpies in the 78th minute.
The competition’s leading goal scorer smashed the ball towards the net but it rattled the crossbar and bounced away.
A minute later Ayres charged down the pitch with the ball before she released a powerful strike that was denied in spectacular fashion by Thornton at full stretch.
The two teams continued to search for the back of the net but were unable to find it and the final score remained 1-0 to the visitors.
Maitland coach Keelan Hamilton said his side’s downfall came down to missed opportunities.
“I think the result is disappointing but I was really happy with the performance,” Hamilton said.
“For the second week in a row, we were more controlling and the more dominating team. I thought we limited them pretty well.
“Charlestown and [Newcastle] Olympic were each set up to nullify us which they did to a degree.
“We hit the crossbar a number of times, missed a couple of one on ones. I think we had enough chances but just didn’t quite finish them.
“Sometimes that’s just sport.
Hamilton said his premiership-winning squad was disappointed not to make it to the final showdown but was proud of their efforts this season.
“We are disappointed to not make the grand final. We really wanted to do that,” Hamilton said.
“But we look back at the season with a lot of happiness and a lot of pride.
“In my opinion, our football style was very good and we had very good levels of performance.
“In my mind we have proved that we are the best side by winning the premiership.
“I am really proud of the girls.
“We have had a saying ‘let us win but let us be brave in the attempt.’ I think that is what’s happened. We didn't quite get the win but the performance was one to be proud of.”
Charlestown will face Newcastle Olympic in the grand final at Darling Street Oval on Sunday. Kick off is at 5pm.
In reserve grade the grand final will take place between Maitland FC and Charlestown Azzurri at 2:15pm and Mid Coast FC will take on Maitland FC in the under-17s at 12:15pm. In the under-15s Broadmeadow Magic will play Charlestown Azzurri at 10:15am after Adamstown Rosebud JFC face Charlestown Azzurri in the under-13s.