Leongatha Lady Knights into the Grand Final

Extra time 3-2 Leongatha’s way. 

THE first semi final leg of the 2024 GSL season kicked off on Sunday, September 8 with top of the ladder facing fourth for a spot in the Grand Final. With all three senior matches heading to extra time and even a penalty shoot-out for the Reserves match, there was heaps of local soccer action on display. 

The Senior Women’s Semi Final saw league champions Leongatha Knights FC take on a young and determined Drouin Dragons side in a ripper match! With the classic wind of Lang Lang kicking up a notch and intermittent rain the weather was a big factor in the game play as the Knights won the advantage of going with the wind to begin the match. 

A well-coordinated Drouin defence were tested early as LKFC’s strikers Amaya Sande and Naomi Eaton were fed through balls into the attack. Whilst the wind worked to assist the Knights in keeping play in their attacking third, it hindered these attacking plays as it carried the balls well beyond the pitch. Despite numerous attempts on attack and the excellent work rate of midfielders Bernie and

Micky, Leongatha were unable to secure an advantage going into half time. 

The second half saw the Drouin Dragons make use of the wind advantage as they peppered Leongatha’s experienced defence. A well-placed diagonal ball went wide of the goals and saw Knight’s keeper Bethany Milkins fumble the catch, Drouin’s winger jumped on the chance crossing the ball back into the six yard box. Though the Knights defenders attempted to clear it off the line it was sent in by Drouin, giving them a lead. 

The Knights lost momentum for several minutes but were quick to compose themselves, fighting against the wind, it was a forward pass that attacking threat, Naomi Eaton ran onto to take a confidently placed shot to the top left corner and equalising for the Knights, sending the game into extra time. 

Tired but determined, both teams stepped back on the pitch and continued the excellent play that had preceded extra time. The Knights were forced to dig deep to pull together another attack against the wind in the first leg of extra time. With a shuffle up of players it was Jasmine Garry, now in striker position, who capitalised on a deflection in the box to tap in a goal sending Knights into the lead to roaring applause. This was closely followed up by an unfortunate hand ball from Drouin’s defence that saw the Knights awarded a penalty that was calmly converted by superstar Naomi Eaton. 

The battle continued in the second leg of extra time as Drouin bravely fought against the wind to set up some attacking runs. Another unfortunate hand ball in the box, this time Drouin’s attack saw Drouin’s Brianna Purvis calmly convert the penalty to bring the final score to 3-2. 

Congratulations to both teams on an excellent display of local female soccer. What an incredible game for the spectators. Best of luck to the Leongatha Lady Knights as they head to the grand final in two weeks’ time with their opponent being determined by next week’s second leg Semi Final.