SEWFA SEMI FINAL TIME

Round Ball star Monique Sims was on the score sheet again for Wanderers in the U14s

Fine weather heralded the finals series for the South East Women’s Football Association last Saturday, with intense high quality matches the order of the day.
SENIORS
Palace 2 d United 1
The senor elimination final played between third and fourth spot finishers opened with a sustained attack on United’s goal without success from the reigning premiers. United developed its own attack on a break and a powerful strike hit the cross bar. Momentum swung the way of the Reds and a fierce strike from Natalie Morony found the back of the net. Palace put itself back into the game with a scrambled goal from Evie Thompson late in the first half. Soon after the break, a cross from the left was deflected into the net for Palace to take the lead. With injury forcing a change in the lineup, United fought hard for the remainder of the match but failed to trouble the Palace keeper. In the end, the younger Palace side were able to run the ball out more effectively but could not add to the scoreline.
Goal scorers: Palace – E Thompson, OG United – N Morony

City 3 d Wanderers 0
The top two sides of City and Wanderers faced each other in the qualifying final on Saturday afternoon. A close game was predicted and it looked that Wanderers may get on the scorecard first with an impressive foray forward from Kim Jenz-Walker early in the match but desperate defending denied the goal. Soon after though City scored the break they were after courtesy of a penalty. Whilst Wanderers continued to hustle and bustle, City refused to get flustered under the pressure. Kristy Henriksen found herself in the right place at the right time and calmly side footed the ball wide of the keeper to widen the lead in the first half. During the second half, Wanderers looked to get back into the game when a penalty was awarded but failed to convert. A third City goal dropped the Wanderers’ heads but they have a chance to redeem themselves against Palace next week for a place in the grand final.
Goal scorers: City – L Birch, K Henriksen, J Smith

UNDER 14S
Wanderers 4 d Villa 0
Fielding just 9 players in any game, let alone a final, is always a tough ask but that is what faced Villa in the qualifying final. Melanie Wilmot did her best to hold the advancing blues but the extra players made marking a nightmare for the defence. Three goals were scored in the first half for Wanderers giving them a comfortable lead to take into the break. Although Wanderers’ Jasmine White did not make the score card, her running attacking plays caught Villa out several times and created many opportunities in front of goal. A solitary goal in the second half saw Wanderers into the grand final to be played in two weeks time.
Goal scorers: Wanderers – M Sims 2, K Lehmann, P Ackland

Palace 3 d City 0
With City forfeiting the chase to play off for a top two position last weekend, it took a gamble which did not pay off. The elimination final was played against two of the most even teams in the competition but it was Palace that took the edge on Saturday. Despite her best efforts, Jess Stephenson could not find a way through for City with Eleanor McClintock in defence for Palace quickly catching any breaks, then calmly returning the ball to the Palace attack. Palace took a one goal lead to the break and this extended to three before the final whistle, giving it the chance to take on Villa in the preliminary final next weekend.
Goal scorers: Palace – A Pilven 2, S McCarthy

The Junior Development Squad is leading into the finals matches too. Although an internal friendly match is played each week, the girls are looking forward to an appearance on grand final day against a team from Portland on 11th September.

As well as the 12.45pm JDS kick off on Saturday, preliminary finals will be played to see which teams will take their place in the Grand Final. The Under 14 fixture of Palace v Villa will kick off at 1.30pm, followed by the senior match of Palace v Wanderers at 3pm.

UNDER 14
Qualifying final
Wanderers 4 d Villa 0
Goal scorers: Wanderers - M Sims 2, K Lehman, P Ackland

Elimination Final
Palace 3 d City 0
Goal scorers: Palace - A Pilven 2, S McCarthy

SENIORS
Qualifying final
City 3 d Wanderers 0
City - L Birch, K Henriksen, J Smith

Elimination Final
Palace 2 d United 1
Goal scorers: Palace - E Thompson, own goal United - N Morony