FINISHING the main competition in third place, the Nambucca Strikers 2nd Division women certainly had doubts about defeating the consistently tough Dorrigo side on Saturday.
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After a number of seasons battling for a win against the Highlanders, Saturday's semi-final proved a milestone for the Nambucca girls when it mattered most. On arrival to the already wet grounds, the rain began to pelt, leaving for a treacherous warm up in the cold. The atmosphere among the visiting team was a mix of excitement and anticipation of whether or not this game would be their last for the season.
The whistle blew and Strikers Sandie Grant-McDonnell and Laura Cooper kicked off the match. Nambucca immediately took control and spent no more than two minutes in the opposition half before an unbelievable play saw midfielder Dakota Hillery clean up the ball, powering it to the back of the net.
The following phase saw the dedicated stopper and sweeper, Kelly Periotte and Hope Eadie, do a fantastic job to keep the ball away from wonder keeper Kythera Cohen who made some awe inspiring saves in the mud throughout the match. With the ball in the opposition half yet again, Jayde Melville put a salient through-ball in the air. With pressure from the Strikers, the ball came off the head of a Dorrigo player and again ended up in the net - as an own goal.
The opposition began to show frustration, demonstrated through a heated moment off a Nambucca corner, but calmer minds soon prevailed. Dorrigo picked up their game and were awarded a free kick in straight view of the goal. Another great save by Kythera led to changing possession, back and forth, until Dorrigo found their way to the back of the net. The Strikers went to half time as it stopped raining, with the score Nambucca 2, Dorrigo 1.
The rain began again as the referee called the teams back to the field for the second half. Both sides fought it out with fantastic defence from Amber Nicholas and Faith Whaddy, Amber finding herself stuck in the mud on the ground more than once. Great attack was seen by both Nambucca wingers Abby Wormleaton and Yasmine Hillery, beating opposing players down the wing and passing through-balls to the strikers. The battle included Arran Paix in a cringing head clash, Kelly with a shin injury and Hope smashed her knee on the goal post as part of a brilliant save. All the Nambucca girls put their body on the line including Lydia Witte who was seen diligently having a go in all positions on the park.
The second half was goal-less, seeing Nambucca Strikers through to the grand final to play Maclean. On the whistle all the girls slid through the mud in celebration and disbelief that they finally were not only able to defeat the ruthless Dorrigo side but succeeded to the grand final.
Two members of the squad, Sarah Mander and Lilly Borg, were missing due to alternate commitments but the Strikers look forward to their return for the grand final on Saturday, 10am at Coffs Stadium.
* Be sure to get today's Guardian for a full wrap of the North Coast Football finals involving the Nambucca Strikers and Macksville Stingers.