Eagles soar into the final with 3-0 win over Allstars

Tani Rosekelly saves Natasha LoGuidice's effort

Renee Tomkins takes on Clare Tyson

Two goals from Melissa Link in each half and a Renee Tomkins penalty were enough for Sydney City to triumph over old rivals the Inner West Allstars 3-0 to set up what should be a terrific final against Campbelltown next weekend.

The Eagles looked on their game from the outset as Melissa Link played in Amanda Perfilio but her shot went just wide.

Natasha LoGuidice turned and hit a low shot that Tani Rosekelly did well to block.

The Eagles opened the scoring with a fine solo goal when Melissa Link dispossessed a player ran down court and powered a low shot past the keeper to give her side a valuable 1-0 lead.

Amanda Perfilio teed up Renee Tomkins and her shot produced a great save from Amanda Horafios in goal to prevent the Eagles going further ahead.

Tani Rosekelly produced a great block to deny Natsha LoGuidice, Renee Tomkins had another shot saved by Horafios and Nicole Laws headed just over for the Eagles.

The Allstars pressured the Eagles in ernest late in the first half but could not find a way through and the Eagles went to the break with a 1-0 lead.

Early in the second half the Eagles lay siege to the Allstars goal and Rose Scarlato thrust out a hand to prevent the ball going in and was subsequently red carded.

Renee Tompkins stepped up and took the penalty dispatching it with ease to give the Eagles a two goal cushion.

The Allstars put Natalie Spirovski upfront with Natasha LoGuidice to try and claw back a goal but the Eagles defence were determined to get back in numbers whenever possession was lost so the Allstars real threats on goal were few and far between.

The Allstars piled on the pressure and Spirovski teed up a nice backheel for Helen Petinos but her shot went over.

LoGuidice fought hard upfront for every ball and hit a shot just over.

Brooke Cowie found space on the counter but shot across the goal, Melissa Link laid on a nice backheel for Perfilio to shoot wide and a Tomkins shot produced a great save from Horafios.

With 6 minutes left to go Melissa Link grabbed her second and virtually sealed the game for the Eagles when she caught everyone by surprise by firing in a shot from the corner when everyone was setting themselves for a cross. The ball was inch perfect and snuck inside the near post to give the Eagles an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The Eagles could have gone further ahead but for Horafios making three point blank saves to deny the Eagles.

Lauren Vasota was unlucky to se her shot hit the post in the dying minutes but the game.

The Sydney City Eagles fought with great determination to shut down the threats from the Allstars and deservedly go through to next weeks grand final in what should be a compelling contest.

Teams 

Inner West Allstars                                                     Sydney City Eagles

6. Sarah Yatim                                                              1. Tani Rosekelly

7.  Rose Scarlato                                                          4. Renee Tomkins

3. Clare Tyson                                                               2. Lauren Vasota

2. Sophie Svinos                                                           5. Fabiana Perfilio

13. Amanda Horafios                                                     7. Nicole Laws

4. Natasha LoGuidice                                                    8. Melissa Link

11. Natalie Spirovski                                                      9. Brooke Cowie

14. Kristi Pavlicevic                                                       3. Kahlee Doyle

5. Helen Petinos                                                           

Goals

Sydney City -  Melissa Link 2, Renee Tomkins

Inner West – none

Infringements

Sydney City – 3

Inner West -  5

Yellow Cards – 1 Sydney City

Red Cards – 1 Inner West

Officials – Darius Turner, Roger Lee

By Peter Davies