Maitland FC 4-3 Broadmeadow Magic
Maitland FC coach Keelan Hamilton believed the correct team won after his side launched an unbelievable comeback to secure the 2024 Women’s League Cup with a 4-3 victory over Broadmeadow Magic.
Three goals after the 82nd minute allowed the Magpies to win their second piece of silverware in 2024 after they won the inaugural Charity Shield in February.
Magic got off to a flying start after Lilly-Jane Babic stunned everyone at Cooks Square Park after she hit a wonder strike in the third minute. Babic struck the ball from outside the penalty area that curled past goalkeeper Annabella Thornton and into the back of the net.
The Magpies made it level in the 27th minute after a shot from co-captain Sophie Stapleford deflected off Magic defender Madi Gallegos and into the back of the goal.
Stapleford had the opportunity to put her side in front two minutes later after Bronte Peel was brought down in the box, but the shot was saved by goalkeeper Mia Wallace.
Magic’s captain Kalista Hunter edged her side back in front in the 33rd minute after she headed the ball into the back of the net off a corner kick.
Babic used her pace once again to get in behind Maitland’s defence and smashed the ball into the back of the net on the stroke of half time to give Magic a 3-1 lead at the break.
The two sides had multiple chances early in the second half, but the game looked all but decided until Maitland launched the ultimate comeback.
A goalkeeping error from Wallace gifted the Magpies a goal in the 82nd minute after a strike from Bronte Peel spilled through her hands and into the back of the net.
Stapleford made up for her missed penalty to level the score one minute later when her shot on goal deflected off Jannali Hunter and beat Wallace to sneak into the goal.
The game looked like it would go to penalties as the final minute of stoppage time swung around but Stapleford scored a late thriller to seal the win and Women’s League Cup silverware for her side.
Stapleford launched a quick attack up the pitch before she offloaded to Peel who drove to the edge of the penalty area before she cut it back to an unmarked Stapleford inside the penalty area, who made no mistake and struck the ball with power into the back of the net.
Hamilton was thrilled about his side’s resilience to come from behind and secure their second piece of silverware but was never in doubt about who was the better team.
“I think the correct team won it. I think we got justice in the end,” Hamilton said.
“We gave them three goals and had a couple of sloppy moments. Even though it was 3-1 at half time, I thought we were the better side.
“We found ourselves down, but we spoke at the break about how we were not out of it even if it took a 99th-minute winner.
“I am really pleased and proud of the whole group for their mentality, resilience and respect for the opponent.
“The girls did well to trust in the process and not to panic.
“Our opponents called the Cup the first real trophy up for grabs but for us, it’s the second.”
The Magpies coach was pleased to be on the other end of the result after they went down in penalties last year to lose to Newcastle Olympic.
“I thought we moved the ball quite well for most of the game we were in control,” Hamilton said.
“It is much nicer being on the winning side this year than on the opposite side.
“I am really proud of the club and the people there who have given us a lot of support. We showed that we aren’t finished.”
Broadmeadow’s coach Nima Nikfarjam felt that his side was unlucky to go down in the end but admitted that they switched off in the last 10 minutes of the match.
“For 81 minutes of the game, we had them all of the game in our hands. We were controlling the tempo of the game,” Nikfarjam said.
“For 81 minutes we showed passion, created chances and played good football. We cancelled Maitland’s attack out well.
“After going 3-1 up we had a clear couple of chances to put the game to bed but we missed them,”
“Yes, we saved the penalty but then we were complacent and switched off for the last nine plus minutes and got finished against a good side that showed good resilience.
“Some days it happens where the better team doesn’t win it. We were the better team for the majority of the game
Nikfarjam believed the loss would help his players grow and that they would bounce back better from it.
“I am not faulting any of the players but as a team, we should have stayed on top of our performance and kept battling until the final whistle,” Nikfarjam said.
“But the journey doesn’t end here and we know our girls will bounce back.
“In every loss, there is a learning opportunity and we want to learn from it.
“It is so disappointing not to win. Both teams fought it out well.”
In Reserve Grade Charlestown Azzurri lifted the Cup after a 2-1 victory over Broadmeadow Magic. Maitland FC won 3-0 against Mid Coast FC in the Under-17s after Adamstown Rosebud JFC defeated Maitland FC in the Under-15s.
