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Article courtesy of Capital Football

TRADIES Premier League under-18 Grand Final

Woden Valley 1 (Brittany Palombi 8’) Belconnen United 0

Half-time: 1-0

(Hawker Football Stadium, kick off 10.00)

THE TEAMS

Both teams came through their respective semi-finals with seemingly little trouble last weekend. Woden Valley romped to a 4-0 win over Canberra FC at Deakin Stadium with goals coming from Brittany Palombi (2), Rachael Goldstein and Izzy Velzen. Belconnen United meanwhile saw off Tuggeranong United at Kambah 2 with a 3-0 win. Nicole Jalocha, Caitlin Cantrill and Emma Bestek.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The goal. It came early on, only eight minutes into the match, but it turned out to be the defining moment of the game. When Brittany Palombi took aim from just inside the penalty area on the angle she not only rifled a beauty into the top corner but with it secured the Tradies Premier League under-18 Grand Final title for her young and vibrant side.

MATCH REPORT

A single goal from lethal striker Brittany Palombi proved the difference in the Tradies Premier League under-18 Grand Final ad Woden Valley defeated Belconnen United 1-0. What proved to be the match winning strike arrived after only eight minutes of play. A swift break down the left flank resulted in Brittany Palombi collecting a through ball, advancing and thrashing a fierce left foot drive across Jess Giovinazzo and into the top corner of the net for a thunderous finish that gave the Blue Devils goalkeeper no chance. Palombi was a major thorn in the side of the Blue Devils defence in the opening half with her tenacity and strength meaning that the Belconnen back four needed to be on its toes. At the other end of the field it was the diminutive figure of Sam Roff who looked likeliest for Grant Davoren’s team with her pace and trickery getting her into several promising positions. However, unfortunately, for the blue-clad Belconnen nothing came of her final pass and Woden goalkeeper Georgina Worth was largely untroubled for most of first forty-five minutes of action with the Valley midfield pairing of Bronte Carlin and Brigette Calabria dictating the pace. Trailing by that Palombi strike at the break all the impetus was on Belconnen to try and get back into the match but it was Woden who tried their luck with a number of long range efforts, all of which flashed harmlessly wide of Giovanazzo’s goal. As they needed to do Belconnen pressed higher up the pitch the longer the game progressed in an effort to get tireless front runner Emma Bestek some room in which to move but, as they did in the opening stanza, the Woden defence stood firm. With seven minutes remaining Woden almost put the game out of reach when Rachael Goldstein swerved her way in the penalty area and struck a firm left foot shot towards goal only for Giovinazzo to make a superb diving save, pushing the ball around the post for a corner. That save kept Belconnen in the game and they nearly equalised when Mikayla Van Deyk saw her close range fort clip the outside of the post with Georgina Worth scrambling across her six-yard box. That was the closest Belconnen came though as Woden saw out the remainder of the match to claim the title.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Natalie De Marco (Woden Valley): The standout Woden Valley forward may be small of stature but is big of heart and showed excellent ball skills and a master class into how to hold the ball up. It was De Marco’s unselfish showing that paved the way for Brittany Palombi to have the space to score the match winner and, with her energetic running, silky touch and pure tenacity she was by far the most influential player on the pitch.

STATISTICS

Woden Valley: 1. Georgina Worth (gk), 2. Amy McLachlan, 3. Bronte Carlin, 7. Lucy Woodley, 9. Rachael Goldstein, 10. Brittany Palombi, 11. Natalie De Marco, 12. Brigette Calabria, 13. Ellen Kromar, 14. Siena Senatore, 15. Nia Southwell

Substitutes used: 4. Veronica Trow, 5. Krissa Neou, 6. Tatiana Curic, 8. Thendi Compton

Belconnen United: 1. Jess Giovinazzo (gk), 4. Lyndal Slater, 5. Jamie Duke, 6. Kendall Smith, 7. Sam Roff, 8. Nicole Jalocha, 9. Sian Minary-Bland, 10. Sammy Savanhu, 13. Emma Heaney, 15. Emma Bestek, 16. Abby Murphy

Substitutes used: 2. Alex Patterson, 3. Ebonie Lazdovskis, 11. Jamie Locke, 12. Emma Baxter, 14. Mikayla Van Deyk

Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: None

Match Officials: Danny Parker (referee), Steve Gavagna, Freyja Jacobsen, Oliver Hough (4th Official)