Salisbury Inter books first ever Women’s NPL Cup final with huge win
Salisbury Inter put four goals past Adelaide City to make its first Women’s NPL Cup final this week. Read reports from Women’s and Girl’s cup semis here.
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Salisbury Inter sent a message to their cup final opponents Metro United on Tuesday night smashing Adelaide City 4-0 to book its place in the big dance.
Here are the reports from the women’s and girls’ semi-finals played at VALO Football Centre this week.
WOMEN’S NPL CUP
SALISBURY INTER (4)
ADELAIDE CITY (0)
Salisbury Inter centre back Nicole Calder was “ecstatic” with her side’s 4-0 win against a strong Adelaide City team, saying they wanted to make a statement.
Inter was dominant from kick-off, scoring three first-half goals through Kljajic, Condon and Jose Rojas Pino before adding a fourth in the second half through a brilliant Pritchard finish.
City fought hard but never looked like breaking the sturdy Inter defence to claw their way back.
“It was a really big statement and that’s exactly what we wanted. Everyone played their role exceptionally well and worked hard for each other,” Calder said.
“To make the final feels amazing, especially given that this is the first time we’ve made a cup final.
“We’ll have a tough test against Metro but I back the strength and depth of our girls.”
METRO UNITED (2)
ADELAIDE COMETS (1)
Metro started out stronger in its matchup with Comets, controlling play through the middle of the pitch and scoring two early goals through Mansueto and Steer.
Comets put up a fight in the second half and pulled one goal back through Katsabis in the 87th minute, setting up for a dramatic finish.
In added time, they managed to create another chance, one-on-one with Metro’s keeper, but sprayed the shot wide, tragically crashing out of the cup as a result.
Metro United coach Tony Scalzi was proud of his side.
“It’s an incredible feeling to make the final, our first since 2015, especially after such a tight contest,” he said.
“My heart rate went through the roof when they had that late chance but scoring early and defending strong gave us that win.”
WOMEN’S DIV 1/2/3 CUP
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY (2)
WEST TORRENS BIRKALLA (1)
Despite going behind early, Adelaide Uni showed great courage to fight back and secure a one-goal win to make this year’s Div 1/2/3 Cup final.
The match was neck-and-neck until Birkalla broke through in the 30th minute, catching the Uni defence off-guard.
Uni kept their heads up though, and equalised not long after.
The match’s winning goal then came just before half-time, with a great cross from the right wing being tucked away into the bottom, left corner.
SALISBURY INTER (3)
CROYDON (1)
Salisbury Inter defender Penny Wouters was thrilled with her team’s resilience against Croydon.
Croydon had gone all season undefeated and looked set to continue their run when they went up early.
Inter stuck to its game though, and equalised before too long.
The side took control on half-time and then ran away with it in the second half with strong defence and smooth passing.
“Persistence was the key. It was tight for the whole first half – it was a great competition,” Wouters said.
“It feels great to make the final and I’m confident we can beat Uni. They’re a strong outfit but we love a good challenge.”
GIRL’S U17 CUP
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY (2)
ADELAIDE COMETS (1)
Adelaide Uni centre-back Lily Rinaldi credited her team’s work ethic after their one-goal win over Comets.
The match started with a bang as both sides scored inside the first 10 minutes, but it was Uni who managed to take control of the match.
They moved the ball with ease and caused problems for Comets with their overlapping, taking the lead before half-time and standing tall to make the final.
“Hard work was what won us the game. Outworking our opponent is one of our key principals,” Rinaldi said.
“It feels really good to have made the final, we’ve worked really hard to get there.”
FOOTBALL SA (5)
MODBURY VISTA (1)
Football SA was favourites in this one and lived up to the billing, smashing five past their Modbury Vista opponent.
The match started a close affair, with each side remaining tight defensively when the other had possession.
Football SA opened the scoring 15 minutes in however, and the floodgates opened.
The reds were too clean with possession and their slick one-two passing led to three goals in the first half.
They continued their momentum in the second half, which they won 2-1.
FSA looks to be the one to beat in the final this weekend, but they’ll still have their hands full against Uni.
GIRLS U15 CUP
ADELAIDE CITY (6)
SALISBURY INTER (0)
City’s six-goal defeat of Salisbury inter was the most one-sided affair of the semi-final round, the hot favourites dominating from the outset and never letting up.
The team’s defence held firm from kick-off, allowing their midfield and forwards to play relaxed football, tapping the ball around the park with ease and spreading the Salisbury defence with clever attacking runs.
Goals were scored by Dunning, Pagnozzi, Newman, Milne and Reynolds (2).
City will be favoured again this week in the final, but will need to be cautious against a red-hot Modbury Vista.
MODBURY VISTA (3)
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY (0)
Modbury Vista midfielder Abbey Fagan said her team’s defence was key to winning their semi against Uni and making the final.
The side opened the scoring early through Zummo and never looked back, their back four holding firm for the full 80 minutes.
“We worked well as a team and everyone was at the top of their game,” Fagan said.
“We knew we had to play a strong defensive game and get on the board early, and that’s what we did. We really performed exceptionally well.”
Modbury’s fast movement and sturdy defence will be put to the test against City in the final, but Fagan believes they’re ready for the test.
“City is a great team, so we have to bring our A-game, but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” she said.
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