Hurlstone Park Wanderers and Leichhardt Saints A celebrated the end of the season as Premiers on the weekend, as they clinched the Bill Brackenbury Cup and Grace Martin Trophy respectively. Wanderers remained undefeated throughout the season, while for Saints A it was a late, 2-1 victory that sealed the deal for them.
Words: Clement Tito
Bill Brackenbury Cup
Hurlstone Park Wanderers finished the regular season undefeated – remarkably an improvement from conceding a solitary loss in 2022.
All matches from this weekend in the Bill Brackenbury Cup were forfeits, which saw the Wanderers claim their final three points of the season.
The Wanderers finished with an exceptional record of 15 wins and three draws, and coach Mark Brown was pleased with its consistency.
“The squad's main aim is to enjoy their football, of course it's much easier to enjoy when you are winning,” Brown said.
“This season we have been fortunate enough to replace missing players with players of the same quality. The team has worked hard, and I believe deserve to retain the BBC Premier’s title.”
Hurlstone will meet Enfield in the Major Semi-Final, while fixtures this weekend will confirm the makeup of the rest of the top four.
The two teams will get a warmup for that semi-final though on Wednesday night when they face off in the semi-final of the Cottam Cup at Henley Park at 7:15pm.
Grace Martin Trophy
Leichhardt Saints A 2-1 Hurlstone Park Wanderers
Leichhardt Saints A took out the Premiership in style in the final round as brace from Lucia Gonzalez brace guided her side to victory. Stephanie Kontakos continued her strong form, opening the scoring for Hurlstone Park Wanderers after just 12 minutes, but Gonzalez cancelled it out soon after. It was then amazing scenes at Ewen Park as Gonzalez put Leichhardt Saints A in front in the dying minutes to seal the title amidst jubilation from the team
It was a fifth win in a row Leichhardt Saints A who look dangerous heading into finals. They will now face the same opponent in the Major Semi Final this weekend.
Image Credit: Leichardt Saints FC
Concord JSC 2-0 Leichhardt Saints B
Concord JSC made it three wins in a row at Edwards Park. It was dream start as Isadora Sabbouh gave the home side the lead in the 10th minute, and despite Leichhardt Saints B’s efforts, Ellen Wlodarczyk doubled the lead on the hour mark to give victory to Concord.
Strathfield FC 4-3 Balmain DFC
It was goals galore in this match as Grace Sidhom gave Balmain the lead after 25 minutes. However, Strathfield were the ones who would go into the break in front, as goals from Angelica Georgopoulos and Isabella Azzopardi ensured a psychological edge at half-time. It was then an ever-changing narrative in the second half as Virginia Evans equalised for Balmain before Azzopardi scored again on the hour mark. Amy Cronin pulled it back to 3-3 in the 70th minute, but Rachelle Sotirio ended it finally with 10 minutes remaining to give Strathfield a stirring three points.
Semi-Finals | 2:15pm at Bennett Park
Major: Leichardt Saints A v Hurlstone Park Wanderers
Minor (elimination): Concord JSC v Leichardt Saints B
