Capital Football‘s Federation Cup is a knockout tournament that runs in parallel with the NPL season. The Women’s edition of the Cup has run since 2012, and clubs do not need to be in the NPL to participate.
While Belconnen United is no stranger to Federation Cup success, this was only Gungahlin United‘s second time competing for the trophy, with no silverware yet to show for it.
Federation Cup final: Belconnen United vs Gungahlin United (Bar TV)
Tipping a winner coming into this game was no easy task. The Gunners defeated the Blue Devils at McKellar Park last NPL round, and the teams sit side by side on the ladder (third and fourth) despite Belconnen leading the NPL competition in the early rounds. Gungahlin has been defending stoutly in recent games while Belconnen is equal top on the ‘Goals For’ tally, making this a mouthwatering contest.
Both starting teams were very recognisable with the most notable omission being Blue Devils flyer Keira Bobbin. Walking to our seats in a vocal and packed Gungahlin United end, we were surprised to see the Emms sisters – Sammy, Jade, and Brooke – decked out in Blue Devils blue on the sideline, with Tuggeranong United’s loss now presumably Belconnen’s gain. Brilliant sunshine made way for showers as the game started.
Cup finals can be cagey affairs but there was to be none of that to be found on this occasion. After an even opening ten minutes the Blue Devils slowly begin to gain territorial ascendancy. A ten-minute period from the 20th minute saw a flurry of goals, with Gungahlin striker Ginger Oliver capitalizing on Darby Whitely’s through ball and opening the scoring with a breakaway goal. Oliver showed great composure at pace to neatly tuck her finish beyond keeper Ellie Summers in the bottom right corner.
Seven minutes later an outstanding deep run from her left-back position saw Blue Devils’ Lisa Cary emerge into space in an advanced position. Taking the ball, Cary glided past Maddie Perceval in the heart of the Gunners’ defence, finishing sublimely past keeper Emily Kelly in the bottom left corner.
Belconnen midfield livewire Pearl Tein was perhaps the player of the first stanza, troubling her opponents with her acceleration and quick feet. Tein’s efforts were rewarded just three minutes after Cary’s goal, finding space to receive Bessie Reithmuller’s pass in the Gungahlin box. Wrongfooting Kelly, Tein proceeded to put away her team’s second goal.
Oliver would stun the Blue Devils section of the crowd at the beginning of the second half, squaring the game up after just ten seconds. Pouncing on a loose touch in the Belconnen defence, Oliver rifled her shot into the top right corner of Summers’ net.
If Tein was player of the first stanza, it would be remiss not to mention the player of the match, Emily Kelly. Time and again in both halves, Kelly thwarted Blue Devils attempts to gain the upper hand. Kelly has been a major contributor to the Gunners rise into the NPL top four, and today she showed exactly why. Adept with saving with her feet as much as her hands and her ‘body on the line’ approach, Kelly deserved her post-match award even if she was on the losing side.
The teams remained locked until added time, with Belconnen enjoying most of the attacking possession until perhaps the final ten minutes when the end-to-end nature of the game became more even.
Substitutions ticked over as extra time approached. The 94th-minute winning goal is captured beautifully by Soccer Snaps By Sal below. Once again rising to the occasion, this was to be Talia Backhouse’s first Federation Cup victory as captain.
A wonderful occasion played in great spirit, with the smiles on the faces of both teams after the game matched by the smiles of the onlookers.
>> Click here for full team lists and match details <<
Final score:
Belconnen United 3 (Lisa Cary 26′, Pearl Tein 29′, Talia Backhouse 95′)
Gungahlin United 2 (Ginger Oliver 19′, 46′)
Around The Grounds:
NPL midweek catchup game
Next week:
NPL resumes – Round 10
