NICHOLS Point will hope lightning strikes twice after reaching a second consecutive S-League senior women’s grand final.
Like 12 months ago, the Pointers will face league champions Mildura City in the post-season play-off, following a 3-0 victory over Irymple Knights on Sunday.
Jasmin Lilley opened the scored after 19 minutes before a second-half brace from captain Isabella Gove sealed the deal.
Last year, Nichols Point upset title winners City with a 2-0 result in the grand final, which marked a huge turnaround following an 11-0 defeat earlier in that campaign.
Point have won five of their last six games and already have the pre-season round robin Rudi Horvat Cup to their name.
City had the bye and will look to complete the double on Sunday, September 10.
Meanwhile, in senior men’s competition, the league’s top two sides Mildura City and Irymple Knights will battle for the grand final after solid victories in their respective semi-finals.
After qualifying for the top four last week, Three Colours pushed title winners City all the way, but a final 20-minute blitz saw the champions win 4-0.
It took until a Lukas Pedder penalty in the 70th minute for them to score, but strikes from Nicholas Lia, Tenace Moraitis and Domenic Ghidinelli within an 11-minute period sealed the deal.
Knights captain Chris Romeo starred with a hat-trick as his side booked their place in the grand final via a 5-0 win over Mildura United.
The United side had shown some good form in recent weeks, but were on the back foot as Romeo struck twice and Donald Jerry once in the seven minutes prior to half-time.
Romeo and Anthimos Sitaras both scored in the second half to secure the result.
Team will have to wait an extra week before grand final day because of a Football Federation Sunraysia bye that allows junior representative teams to compete in the South Australian Junior Soccer Association Country Championships in Broken Hill.
The FFS awards night is on Friday, September 17.
FOOTBALL FEDERATION SUNRAYSIA 2023
S-LEAGUE RESULTS for 2023 SEMI-FINALS on Sunday 27th August
SENIOR MEN
Mildura City defeated Three Colours SC Half Time: 0 – 0 Full Time: 4 – 0
Goal scorers
Mildura City SC – Lukas Pedder 1 (70’ P), Nicholas Lia 1 (78’), Tenace Moraitis 1 (82’) and Domenic Ghidinelli 1 (89’)
Irymple Knights SC defeated Mildura United SC Half Time: 3 – 0 Full Time: 5 – 0
Goal scorers
Irymple Knights SC – Christopher Romeo 3 (38’, 42’, 47’), Donald Gerry 1 (42’) and Anthimos Sitaras 1 (69’)
SENIOR WOMEN
Nichols Point SC defeated Irymple Knights SC Half Time: 1 – 0 Full Time: 3 – 0
Goal scorers
Nichols Point SC – Isabella Gove 2 (51’, 70’) and Jasmin Lilley 1 (19’)
Mildura City SC straight into the Grand Final
RESERVE MEN
Mildura City SC defeated Mildura United SC Half Time: 1 – 0 Full Time: 2 – 1
Goal scorers
Mildura City SC – Taylan Karakurt 2 (12’P, 59’P)
Mildura United SC – Bireke Kumbuka 1 (41’)
Irymple Knights SC defeated Nichols Point SC Half Time: 1 – 1 Full Time: 2 – 1
Goal scorers
Irymple Knights SC – John Ayling 1 (21’) and George Stamation 1 (56’)
Nichols Point SC – Daniel Freitag 1 (26’)
OVER 35s
Irymple Knights SC defeated Mildura City SC Half Time: 1 – 1 Full Time: 5 – 1
Goal scorers
Irymple Knights SC – Nathan Douman 3 (51’, 55’, 57’), Roger Burrows 1 (14’) and John Mihaljevic 1 (44’)
Mildura City SC – Michael Dimasi 1 (12’)
Mildura United SC straight into the Grand Final
UNDER 16’s
Nichols Point SC defeated Irymple Knights SC Half Time: 1 – 1 Full Time: 2 – 1
Goal Scorers
Nichols Point SC – Kareem Goomer 1 (7’) and Gbadebo Adetoro 1 (69’)
Irymple Knights SC – Ezekiel Diem 1 (4’)
Mildura City SC straight into the Grand Final
