Manly topple Uni in gutsy Grand Final triumph
By Chris Curulli
Manly United took home the 2020 National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW Championship on Sunday afternoon with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the previously unbeaten premiers Sydney University at Valentine Sports Park.
In a classic final encounter, all three goals arrived from set pieces in the first half.
After taking the front through Grace Maher, Alex Epakis’ side were left stunned as Emily Minett and Tara Andrews found the back of the net 11 minutes apart to flip the contest on its head.
2-1 was how the score remained after a tight arm-wrestle in the second half, ensuring long-term coach Chris Williams would be sent out a champion.
Strikers Michelle Heyman and Sunny Franco released early warning shots in the opening 5 minutes, but neither were able to trouble their opposing goalkeeper.
The opening goal did however arrive for the Students inside ten minutes.
As a corner was whipped in Manly junior Teigan Collister found herself unmarked at the far post, and while she could not steer her effort on target, Young Matilda Grace Maher was on the spot to tap it home.
For the next quarter of an hour Manly were forced to weather the Uni storm as Collister provided the Students a constant threat in transition on the left wing and her teammates looked all the more likely with every set piece.
A drinks break taken midway through the half proved decisive as Chris Williams and his coaching team communicated some vital tactical tweaks to their side.
As the half progressed Manly continually worked themselves into the contest and in the 29th minute restored parity.
Emily Minett was Manly’s top scorer in 2019, however had not yet found the back of the net in 2020.
But it was the wing-back who rose highest off a corner to confidently head home and spark scenes of celebration within Manly’s vocal set of travelling fans.
The pinpoint delivery was courtesy of Libby Copus-Brown and was her third assist in two weeks – the Newcastle Jets midfielder was to later receive player of the match honours for an industrious performance.
In the 36th minute Uni so nearly regained the advantage as Julie-Ann Russell weaved her way through on goal, but the Irish international’s low effort whistled past the post.
That miss soon proved to be crucial, as Manly found a second minutes later.
An Ally Green free kick from a tight angle took a slight deflection off the wall and as Uni failed to clear, a spill from goalkeeper Courtney Newbon eventually fell into the path of Tara Andrews, who made no mistake in bundling home her 13th goal of the campaign.
During a tight second period, clear-cut chances were few and far between.
On the hour mark Sunny Franco had a sight on goal before moments later Heyman sent a shot of her own over the bar.
Kahli Johnson was then introduced in Franco’s place and worked hard to give the tiring Uni backline some fresh headaches. With ten minutes remaining, the Junior Matilda found herself in behind but blasted an effort high and wide.
The Students, determined to hold onto their 32-match unbeaten run dating back to March 2019, desperately pushed on late in search of an elusive equaliser.
A set piece deep into stoppage time, of which there would be seven minutes, saw goalkeeper Newbon take up an attacking position in Manly’s penalty area.
But all of Uni’s pressure would come to nothing as the final whistle sounded, all but confirming Manly United’s second Championship in four seasons.
Chris Williams, who last month announced he would be stepping down from his role after eight years in charge, lauded his side’s never-say-die attitude.
“We did expect to be under the pump for parts of the game but we also expected to have our moments as well,” he said.
“With the plan that we had in place, I felt that we had to deal with a lot of pressure early on.
“In the first 20/25 minutes the original plan didn’t quite work as well as we would have thought, as we conceded and they were on top.
“But we were able to change a few things and from that point we were dangerous and fully deserved the two goals we scored.
“I think the players deserved to win as well so I’m really happy for them.”
You can find Chris Williams’ full post-match interview in a MUFC TV special below.
There he discusses what it means to win the championship, how grateful his side are for the club’s support, how a team concerned about relegation last year built into title-winners, W-League prospects for a number of players and his personal plans moving forward.
