Willowburn and USQ stand tall in grand finals

Unbeaten Willowburn records perfect season with grand final victory.

CHAMPIONS: USQ FC celebrate their Premier Men's grand final win against Willowburn at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FOOTBALL: A resilient Willowburn women's team secured a historic victory yesterday.

The Magpies 2-1 grand final win over a determined Rockville capped off a perfect season for the team who won every game they played.

They didn't have it all their own way though with Rockville the superior team in the opening 20 minutes of the match.

"They (Rockville) came out of the dressing room a lot better than us," Willowburn coach Steve Pennells said.

"Full credit to them they were the better team at the start and they had us on the back foot - and when you're on the back foot like that it's very hard to play your style.

"They really gave it to us today."

TOP STRIKE: Willowburn captain Kiama Gray scores from a free kick to draw her side level against Rockville. Willowburn won the Premier Women's grand final 2-1. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rockville's Chantal Trapp opened the scoring in the 20th minute her lofted shot from 18 yards out leaving keeper Natasha Woodside with little chance.

From there both sides pushed and probed in a box-to-box game.

Rockville had several chances to extend their lead but Willowburn's lone striker Esther Ritchie still posed a threat.

The match turned just before half-time with Willowburn skipper Kiama Gray standing tall for her side.

Lining up a free kick 30 yards out Gray's strike found the top corner to draw her side level with five minutes left in the half.

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Pennells half-time speech also proved key with his side showing more of their natural game in the second stanza.

"We talked about improving our structure a little in the second half," Pennells said.

"Our midfield was dropping back on top of our defence which gave us little outlet play.

"We changed that - pushed the midfield up - and we played better.

"What the girls have achieved today is something really special. I'm not sure it'll sink in just yet but I know in a few years they'll be able to remember every moment of it."

Both teams had their chances to take the lead early in the second half but neither was able to capitalise.

Ritchie had several chances to seal a win for Willowburn but it was team-mate Courtney Morris who made the difference.

Latching onto a loose ball in the box Morris bundled home the winner with eight minutes remaining.

"I've scored game winners but never one in a grand final," Morris said.

"It's absolutely mind-blowing.

"I think everyone played their own game but we also played for the team and each other and that's how we won."

Courtney Morris scored the winner Willowburn's 2-1 win over Rockville. Picture: Kevin Farmer

USQ win shoot-out

In match that typified their clashes all season USQ FC have beaten Willowburn 3-3 (3-1 on penalties).

Matches between the sides have been traditionally close this season and yesterday's grand final was no different.

USQ took an early lead through Jacob Stoner in just the fifth minute and went on to dominate the opening exchanges of the match.

Willowburn however were able to hold on and went into the half-time break down 1-0.

"I thought we dominated the first half and were good for more than a goal," USQ FC coach Matt Proctor said.

"But we just didn't come out of the sheds in the second - it took us 25 minutes to get into it."

Their failure to capitalise on half-chances proved costly with Willowburn drawing level after the break.

Spotting an opening at the near post Willowburn's Callum Hart steered home his side's leveller and in doing so kicked off a dramatic 10 minutes.

Goals to Brodie Welch and Brayden Thrupp in the 55th and 56th minutes turned the game on its head and the Magpies were flying at 3-1.

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A man-of-the-match performance from USQ's keeper Mat Eilers kept his side in touch though.

Capitalising on a spill from Willowburn keeper Michael Nees - Colin Ball tucked home his shot to draw USQ within a goal.

Jedd Sugden then levelled the scores at 3-3 with five minutes remaining.

"The big fella (Mat Eilers) won it for us again," Proctor said.

"He made some massive saves in the game and the shoot-out. He was phenomenal."

Both Eilers and Nees saved multiple penalties before USQ skipper Brendan Willmot struck the decisive shot.

Originally published as Willowburn and USQ stand tall in grand finals