NORTHS’ run in the Champion of Champions has come to an end after being comprehensively beaten three-nil at Hanwood Oval yesterday, in a game that was touched by controversy.
When Ourimbah United’s Kirstyn Feeney suffered a snapped Achilles tendon in the 25th minute, no further play was possible until the injured Feenery was taken from the ground.
However, during the nearly 45 minutes it took the injured player to be taken from the field the game clock kept ticking over.
Norths coach Chris Howard said it was a blessing in disguise, saying the break allowed his side to regroup after Ourimbah made its way through to goal almost at will.
“I think it was probably a good thing for us in the end. I think it stopped the momentum they were starting to build,” Howard said.
Despite the interruption, the Norths leader lauded praise on his side for the way they took the game to their more experienced and older rivals in the second half.
“It was a great effort especially against opposition like that, they play in the premier league and a lot of the players are much older and have played for a lot longer,” he said.
“But we have had a pretty good year especially considering some of the girls out there are only 14 or 15 (years old), it’s a pretty good achievement.”
The loss means there are no more Griffith sides in the competition, but it didn’t look like it would turn out that way after the first 10 minutes.
Norths had three very good chances early, with Ourimbah having to clear the ball off the line to keep its clean sheet.
But it would be a long time before Norths got another look on goal with Ourimbah controlling the play well through the middle of the park.
Angela Jones got the away side on the board first with an off-balance shot in the 10th minutes.
Jones combined well with fellow striker Nadine Norman and the offside trap was catching Norths out on a number of occasions with the through ball being the preferred option to get in on goal.
Despite an apparent handball, Norman streamed through on goal again, but an excellent save by Josephine Trimboli kept her side in the game.
But in the 19th minute a lobbed shot from Alana Magee just snuck under the crossbar and over the gloves of Trimboli for 2-0.
After the break for the injured Ourimbah player, Norths
began the second half full of vigour, as Michelle Foscarini and Candice Marin led from the front to get their side back on the game.
Both players ran themselves to a standstill, but the open looks on goal were simply not forthcoming.
Kate Woolfe also provided spark up front when she was called into action, as did Georgia Zanotto, but a powerful strike to Denise Chambers ended Norths season.
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