NSW NPL Women’s 2020 Grand Final Report – Sydney University vs Manly United

The most ridiculous, unbelievable, topsy-turvy NSW NPL Women’s season ever deserved a grand final to match, and fans were treated to one of the all-time great displays from two of the competition’s best teams. Beyond90 takes a look back at this year’s showpiece event.

Sydney University vs Manly United

Manly United wrote its name in the record books once again, defeating Sydney University 2-1 in the NSW NPL Women’s Grand Final to claim the club’s second women’s title in four years.

First-half goals from midfielder Emily Minett and club top-scorer Tara Andrews cancelled out Grace Maher‘s early scrambled finish, sending retiring Manly coach Chris Williams off with a championship in his final game at the club.

Both teams headed into the match with players under an injury cloud, and the two managers were forced into line-up changes hours before kick-off: Manly captain Chloe O’Brien returned to her customary midfield role after striker Remy Siemsen was unable to recover from the hamstring strain she suffered in the second half of the semi-final, while Sydney University midfielder Kendall Fletcher was a last-minute withdrawal, replaced by Maher just before kick-off.

Leading into the match there were definite questions around Uni’s ability going forward, mainly centred around Fletcher’s missing influence – the American had been a major factor in the side’s attacking shape and distribution through the centre third of the field – as well as Maher’s longevity as a starting player, having only notched a handful of minutes on the pitch since returning from a long injury layoff herself.

This change, coupled with Michelle Heyman‘s introduction into the starting line-up in place of Demi Koulizakis, had people wondering if the team would click in the same way it had done all season.

And from the outset those questions appeared valid, with Manly pressing Uni high up the park, seemingly targeting that link between midfield pivots Bianca Galić and Clare Wheeler, harrying the pair into rushed passes and poor decisions playing forward.

All that early pressure was for nothing though, as Maher scored the opener after nine minutes, care of both a brilliant in-swinging corner and one of the worst missed shots you’ll ever see from teammate Teigan Collister, whose shanked attempt from all of three metres landed at Maher’s feet begging to be tucked away.

Manly to its credit didn’t take this conceding of the opener lying down – as many teams throughout this season have done – and immediately began to play quick, crisp passes up to the pacy Sunny Franco, whose speed continued to cause Uni defenders Tori Tumeth and Clare Hunt problems through the middle.

United hit back with just under half an hour played – and how – as Minett soared above a forest of Uni defenders to smash her header past the stranded Uni goalkeeper Courtney Newbon, powering Libby Copus-Brown‘s perfectly-placed corner inside the far post.

The battle between Tumeth and Franco was bubbling away nicely – both of them picking up cautions just after Manly’s equaliser – with Franco’s take-no-prisoners style and Tumeth’s physical presence proving a match-up worthy of such a fixture.

Uni continued to try their luck down Manly’s wings; Collister, Annabel Martin, and Julie-Ann Russell taking turns to target defenders Corrine Winkler and Nicole Stuart, only to have their efforts parried out for corners or cleared away at each time of asking.

Despite that attacking ascendancy it was Manly who broke the deadlock with five minutes of the first half to play, as Andrews proved to be Jenny-on-the-spot, hooking the ball past Newbon after she spilled Ally Green‘s curling free kick.

Uni returned from the break just as they had entered it: full of attacking verve but without their usual cutting edge, frustrated again and again by Manly’s game management and ruthless defence.

That potency took a huge hit almost immediately after the break however, with right fullback Martin collapsing in a tough challenge near halfway, only to be left clutching at her left knee as she lay on the turf.

Collister and Maher were withdrawn in favour of Nicki Flannery and Demi Koulizakis just before the hour mark, with the new pair aiding and abetting the isolated Heyman at the point of attack.

Heyman herself went close from distance minutes later, working some space through midfield and fizzing a shot over the angle of Simonsen’s goal.

Uni’s luck went from bad to worse halfway through the second period after Russell and Minett tangled on Manly’s right flank, the Irish international twisting her ankle almost impossibly in the tackle. Despite her bravery and the strapping efforts of the trainer, Epakis deemed the injury not worth the risk, and sent Brianna Oliverio into the fray in her place.

Manly substitute Kahli Johnson had a chance to seal the win with 12 minutes of regular time to play, but her mazy run was all for nought, forcing herself wide of the goal and sending her shot up into the adjacent carpark.

With stoppage time ticking down, Uni went for the Hail Mary, sending keeper Newbon up into the attack for a last-minute free-kick. Just like all before it, the attack broke down and Manly escaped again, hanging on through seven minutes of nerve-wracking time added on to claim a famous victory and end the Sydney University NPLW dynasty.

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