Clarence United reach Women's State-wide Cup Final

Photos (Top to Bottom): Clarence United women's squad; Glenorchy Knights women's squad; Clarence coach Ronnie Bolton in his playing days taking a free-kick for Olympia against University at South Hobart in 1984 [Click on photo to see large view]

Women’s State-wide Cup Semi-finals, KGV Park, Wednesday, 29 July 2009

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Glenorchy Knights 1-2 Clarence United

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Clarence United had two early chances when Paris Crowe hit the outside of the near post with a shot and Erin Hall fired straight at Knights keeper Bianca Walker.

Knights’ first chance came in the 17^th minute when Georgina Griffiths-Lee volleyed over the bar following a corner by Lauren Griffiths-Lee.

Clarence hit back in the 19^th minute, but Hall’s shot was directed straight at the keeper.

Danielle Nossiter almost punished Clarence for poor marking in the 28^th minute, but her header lacked power and was slightly off target.

Knights were matching it with their opponents at this stage and, in the 32^nd minute, Jemma Dacy poked an effort just wide, while three minutes later, Michelle Luck forced a corner with her shot.

Emily Cripps was unlucky for Clarence in the 38^th minute when she fired narrowly wide from the left of the penalty area.

A minute before the interval, Madaline Gillbee’s pass put Kathryn McLeod through on the right and she put Clarence ahead with a fine finish.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Lauren Griffiths-Lee scored a brilliant goal, beating several defenders on her way into the penalty area before finishing accurately to make it 1-1.

Six minutes after the resumption, Crowe beat Luck on the left but blazed wide of the target.

McLeod shot wide on the hour as Clarence went in search of a winner, while a minute later, Crowe was again presented with a good chance but shot wide.

Madaline Gillbee was providing some excellent crosses from the right, but Clarence were unable to make the most of this service.

In the 68^th minute, a marvellous dribble by Crowe set up McLeod, but she missed the chance to put Clarence ahead.

Seconds later, Emily Cripps also spurned a chance to score at the left-hand post and solid defending by the Knights and good goalkeeping by Walker seemed certain to take the game into extra-time.

But, with a minute remaining, Hall played Crowe through and she capped a fine display by rounding the keeper and scoring the winner.

Clarence will meet Hobart Olympic in the final after Olympic downed University 3-1 in the other semi-final this evening.

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· Glenorchy Knights coach, Rodney Tattam, said:

“I thought it was a really high-quality game of soccer.

“I thought both teams were fantastic and played in a really good spirit.

“We defended well and we had a few good chances.

“I thought it was really even game and we gave it our best shot and good luck to Clarence in the final.”

· Clarence United coach, Ronnie Bolton, said:

“I think, probably overall, it was a pretty even game.

“It took a fantastic goal to separate the two teams.

“I think that was the difference on the night.

“I think, considering the injuries we had, we performed very well.

“Knights did very well to keep right up to us and I can hardly recall a free-kick in the game.

“It was played in the right spirit.”

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Glenorchy Knights: Walker, G Griffiths-Lee, Luck, Turner, L Griffiths-Lee, Self, Dacy, Finn, Sain, Garth, Nossiter, Smith, Nevin, Cook, Coulson (Interchange applied)

Goals: L Griffiths-Lee 46

Clarence United: VanderNiet, Archer, Brighella, Cripps, Edwards, Gillbee, Hall, Herbert, Kannegiesser, McLeod, Pagano, Taylor, Ridler, Crowe, Undy (Interchange applied)

Goals: McLeod 44, Crowe 89

Att: 60

Ref: S Natoli