Our Football NSW League One Women’s 1st grade side went down 3-2 in the Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday
Lineup: 1. Ally Boertje (GK), 5. Aaliyah Kilroy, 13. Julieanne Fox, 15. Lara Turner, 17. Lillia Rae, 18. Mackenzie Preston-Poole, 19. Makayla Clifton, 33. Sarah Patmore, 35. Sunny Alston, 36. Sophie Howarth (C), 37. Navah Crofton
Subs: 7. Charlotte Lowrie, 16. Layla Sharpe, 26. Ellie Boulton, 38. Isabella Walshe, 40. Lily-Rose Dunbar (GK), 55. Ruby Murray, 70. Matilda Fleming
South Coast Flame had the better start, testing Ally Boertje early but she was able to keep hold of the shot. Makayla Clifton returned fire moments later, but her effort was straight at the South Coast keeper.
The Flame would open the scoring in the 6th minute, with Meehan being released in on goal, burying her strike into the bottom corner. Barraza had a chance to grab the second for South Coast, attempting to lob Boertje, however her shot was too heavy and it sailed well over the bar.
Barraza would make no mistake with her next chance, nipping in behind the defence before touching the ball around Boertje, tapping into the empty net. The dagger would come in the second minute of injury time, as Meehan found herself free in the box to head home a third goal for South Coast Flame, giving them a 3-0 lead heading into the break.
Makayla Clifton pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, smashing the ball in off the post from an acute angle, handing the youth team a lifeline. Substitute Layla Sharpe was close to grabbing a second, with her shot narrowly grazing the outside of the post.
Clifton would strike again in the 76th minute. Preston-Poole slipped the ball through to Clifton, who took a touch before deftly rolling the ball through the keepers legs, reducing the dececit to just one.
The youth team fought for the remaining 12 minutes plus injury time, but were unable to breach the South Coast defence one more time, as the Flame claimed the Football NSW League One Championship.
A massive shout-out to all the Jets supporters who attended Valentine Sports Park, or watched from home as they supported the team.
