Sale United senior women won through to the Browne-Huzier Cup Grand Final after defeating Morwell Pegasus in Sunday’s semi-final.
In a rough, scrappy, and physical game, made more arduous by warm conditions, the Swanettes booked themselves a ticket after beating Pegasus 2-1 at Burrage Reserve, Newborough.
For those not among the soccer innards of the local world, the Latrobe Valley Soccer League does not play a standard final series, unlike netball and football.
In recent years, the LVSL decided that the annual elimination cup tournament, typically played on a weeknight throughout the season, would replace the league finals.
The senior men play in the Battle of Brittan Cup, the senior women in the Browne-Huzier Cup, the reserves the Shopwell Trophy and the second division, the Nan Bosma Cup.
Sale United, the 2023 LVSL Champions, had a bye in Round 1 of the Browne-Huzier Cup, and then progressed to the quarter final, where they faced 2022 league champion Morwell Falcons. Unfortunately, Falcons were unable to field a full side and ultimately forfeited owing to depleted numbers.
After a three-week break, Sale United returned to the field to face a formidable Morwell Pegasus in the semi.
Only one team would progress to meet Fortuna in the Grand Final.
It was do-or-die for both sides, with the Swans and Pegasus having everything to fight for, neither team was ready to end their Cup campaign.
Crowds descended on Burrage Reserve, lining the field’s edge, with eyes fixated on the grassy battleground as teams took their place.
It was a fight from the first whistle blow.
While Pegasus’ pace and skilled footwork had middle fielders threatened, their lack of structure posed the most significant challenge as it denied Sale the opportunity to play their brand of football.
The contest remained relatively even early doors.
With both teams formidable in defence and quick on the counter-attack, the Browne-Huzier Cup Semi Final was unravelling as a microcosm of relentless endeavour.
Emma Robb was a stand-out among Sale’s defence.
Sale United captain Zoe Askew broke the deadlock in the 14th minute.
Talismanic goal scorer Anouk Meereboer played a perfectly weighted through ball to Askew, cutting in from the left wing.
Askew beat the last Pegasus defender, hitting the ball across the goal and into the bottom left corner to give Sale the advantage.
Sale United playing-coach Madeline Breakspear extended the Swanettes’ lead in the 41st minute with a volley from a Meereboer corner.
Leading 2-0 at the break, Sale United were just 45 minutes away from securing their spot in the final, as long as they didn’t lose their advantage.
Pegasus capitalised on a complacent Sale as teams returned to the field, earning themselves a corner in the second half’s opening minutes.
A Mabior Anyieth goal depleted Sale’s lead in the 59th minute, the 2-1 score line a rude wake-up call for the Swanettes.
While the minutes shaved away, an already scrappy game became increasingly scrappy, with physicality heightening with every passing second.
It was not pretty football, far from it, but Sale did their job, denying their opponents another goal, much to the frustration of Pegasus.
Sale United will take on Fortuna in the Browne-Huzier Cup Grand Final at 1pm this Friday (September 29) at the Latrobe City Sports Stadium.
Having won the 2022 Browne-Huzier Cup Grand Final, can the Swanettes defend their title? One thing is certain: Friday’s match will be a heck of a battle as rivals Sale and Fortuna go head to head for the silverware.
Sale United White second division side will join the senior women in making a Grand Final appearance on Friday after an emphatic Nan Bosma Cup Semi Final win.
Sale United White and Monash couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes, with the 2-all score sending teams into overtime. An additional 30 minutes still couldn’t separate sides, with teams headed for penalties after a gruelling 120 minutes.
Sale coach Paul McGrath has never lost a penalty shootout as a player or coach, and Sunday’s result kept that record in check.
Sale United White defeated Monash 5-4 on penalties.
Luke Williams, Kyung Stewart, Luca Haran, Jake Mayne and Luke Wilson converted penalties to seal victory for the Whites.
Sale will take on East Gippsland United in the Grand Final at 10am this Friday.
