Apollo v Blue Lake
Apollo has finally overcome its demons and beaten Blue Lake for the first time since its grand final loss in 2022 to progress to this year’s grand final.
All year Apollo has been the standout side, having finished minor premiers and after a terrific season the side looked set to make a splash in finals.
The side has an excellent defence and an effective attack proving the most well balanced side in the league, however it had one problem in that it had been unable to beat Blue Lake during the home and away season.
Going into the first final the pressure was on Apollo to get the job done when it mattered and the side stood up and grabbed its grand final spot with two hands.
It was fairly even early on in the match with Apollo looking the more likely to score.
Eventually the blue and white did with Deni Atkin once again being the goal scorer for Apollo.
The early lead was vital in such a tight match, while both sides fought hard neither could beat the other defence.
The match headed into half time with Apollo hanging onto a tight lead 1-0 up.
After half time the sides once again went to battle with both looking for the crucial next goal.
While the defences played well, Blue Lake snuck through eventually and equalised in the 63rd minute.
It was Jasmine White once again who scored for Blue Lake adding to her goal tally for the season.
The match was fast approaching full time and it looked like extra time would be required to find a winner but with less than five minutes left the match offered up another twist.
In the 75th minute Deni Atkin netted a second goal to secure her brace and the win for Apollo.
Atkin’s goal was the decider with Blue Lake unable to respond in the final minutes.
Apollo is now through to the grand final after finally beating Blue Lake, the Rangers however will need to beat International to get a rematch in the final game of the season.
International v Millicent
International has kept its season alive with a comfortable win over Millicent in its first final on Sunday.
It was third taking on fourth in a do or die clash with the loser going home and the winner going through to take on Blue Lake for a spot in the grand final.
International started the match off on the right foot with a 3rd minute goal to get the match under way.
Stephanie Gilbert’s strike was a massive boost to her side’s confidence and gave it an early advantage.
Millicent attempted to tighten its defence but International did not take long to breach it again, doubling the lead in the 13th minute thanks to an Evany Rex strike.
Millicent worked its way back into the match following the second goal as it lowered International’s opportunities and created some of its own, with Lana Shepherd looking dangerous through the middle.
Unfortunately for Millicent it was unable to convert any and went into halftime 2-0 down.
Millicent’s second half started in a similar fashion to its first as it gave away a penalty which was converted by Rex for her second in the 47th minute.
International looked set to take the win and go through to next week, Millicent did not give up as it continued to create chances however the home side’s defence was too strong.
International won a second penalty which Rex took as well to finish off her hat-trick and seal the match at 4-0.
The final whistle blew at the end of the 80 minutes confirming the result and ending Millicent’s season.
It was a disappointing end to a good season for Millicent which will now look to next season with hopes of improving and going further into finals and perhaps going all the way.
International will now turn its focus on Blue Lake in a massive match which offers the winner a spot in the grand final against Apollo.
