Two wonder strikes secured Broadmeadow Magic’s first grand final win after defeating Newcastle Olympic 2-1 at Magic Park on Sunday evening.
Olympic looked to be the more dominant side throughout the match but it was a late stoppage-time goal from Adrianna Konjarski that sealed the victory for Magic.
The two teams came out of the blocks determined to lift the trophy with a fiery battle from the first whistle.
Olympic were able to break through first with the return of striker Jemma House making an immediate impact.
House was able to break through Magic’s defence in the tenth minute and charge towards goal. She had two strikes at goal that were spectacularly saved by Lougue. But Magic were unable to stop House’s third attempt, as it soared past Lougue and hit Broadmeadow’s captain Kalista Hunter before deflecting into the back of the net.
Lucy Jerram was able to equalise with a wonder strike from outside of the penalty box in the 21st minute. There was nothing Olympic’s goalkeeper Claire Coelho could do when Jerram’s strike fired into the top corner of the goal.
Marion Dunbabin was forced from the field immediately after Magic scored with an upper leg injury, with Jorja Hogg coming on as her replacement.
Magic and Olympic went into the sheds at half-time locked up at 1-1. It was neck and neck again for the second 45 minutes, going end-to-end with pressure building across the park.
Olympic’s back line continued to shut Konjarski, Jerram and Lucas down, creating frustrations for the attacking trio.
House, Georgia Amess, Sophie Warmsley and Elodie Dagg all had some golden opportunities to put Olympic 2-1 up but none of them could get the ball into the back of the net.
Jerram was forced from the field with cramps, leaving the field for the final time for Magic, as she is moving home to Western Australia.
The match looked set to be going into extra time as it headed into stoppage time but it was Konjarski’s brilliant strike that put the game to bed in the dying minutes.
Konjarski proved why she is the competition’s leading goal scorer, receiving a well-placed long ball from Lucas over Olympic’s defence to chip the ball over Coelho from outside the 18-yard box.
The grandstand finish saw Magic claim their first-ever premiership, championship double.
Magic’s coach Jake Curley was thrilled with the result and credited his attackers but also Logue for her outstanding performance.
“It feels really good. I thought the game was competitive and it took us to score two fantastic goals to beat Olympic. They have always been a huge challenge for us and credit to them for putting on such a good game,” Curley said.
“For us we wanted to win the grand final and we did.
“I think AJ had a fantastic finish and Lucy Jerram had a fantastic finish but Alison Logue was immense. When you have a goalkeeper that is that difficult to beat I think tonight she proves why she is such a good goalkeeper. Her double save, she saved the ball when we should of cleared the ball. In all of the years I have coached she is the best goalkeeper I have ever had.”
Curley credited his side for being able to bounce back from going down early in the match and keep fighting until the very end.
“Going down early I think there was a bit of stress in the game and we were feeling the pressure but the girls collected themselves scored a goal and started competing and sort of did what we wanted to do and I thought the girls executed things really well,” Curley said.
“This year to last year the difference between us is that we have depth this year, last year we ran out of legs. This year the girls that we have the entire seasons, it was a fantastic performance by everyone.”
Magic’s gaffer will be moving on from coaching the women’s first grade side, stepping over to the club’s men’s program. After coaching the side for four years, Curley said to get the win at the end of his time with the team was the cherry on top.
“It’s been four years with the girls. It’s been a fantastic four years. For a group of players that have done so well, two premierships, one grand final, I think we won 90% of our games this season, as a coach you can’t ask for a better group of players," Curley said.
For Olympic’s coach Neil Owens, the result was a heartbreaking end to what was their best performance against the champions this season. The result was Olympic’s second grand final loss in two years, adding to the disappointment.
“Feeling a bit gutted but that’s the way football goes,” Owens said.
“We were on top for a fair bit of that game. We had possession numerous times and we get caught out over the top once and get punished.
“We came in with a game plan and we stuck to it well which was good. We were coming home strong too and had a lot of possession, but a lot possession doesn’t win you a trophy.
“We had a few chances to go 2-1 up but look two great goals. Lucy’s goal was fantastic and then that’s AJ’s only kick of the game. That’s the only time I saw her in the game.
“Congratulations to them, they have been the better team all year.”
But despite the result, Owens said he was extremely proud of his side and their efforts throughout the season
“It was a really great performance from the girls, they played well. You’ve got to give them credit, they’ve done well,” Owens said.
“They worked extremely hard this year, they won the League Cup and made it to the grand final here and got a few younger girls come through which is really good. I think the whole club is looking really good.”
Owens will also be moving into the Men’s program at Olympic, taking on one of the head coaching roles for the first grade side.
There is no doubt these two teams will be back and more determined than ever in the 2024 season.
In the reserve grade grand final, premiers Newcastle Olympic were defeated 1-2 by Charlestown Azzurri. Maitland FC were downed 2-0 by Newcastle Olympic in the under-17s decider, while Adamstown Rosebud JFC won 3-2 Maitland FC in the under-15s match and premiers Charlestown Azzurri were defeated in penalties by Adamstown Rosebud JFC in the under-13s grand final.
NPL Women’s NNSW First Grade Grand Final
Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 Newcastle Olympic