18 Men
Grays Point SC 2
Collaroy Cromer Strikers 1
In what was one of the games of the day, Grays Point Soccer Club stole the Champion of Champions title with the last kick of the game against Collaroy Cromer Strikers.
Having been behind at half time, Grays Point overturned their deficit with two second half goals to seal the victory, 2-1.
In a tight beginning to the game, Grays Point would be the first to test the opposition keeper. Ethan Mifsud let fly from close to 35 metres out from a set piece, forcing Zac Downs to tip the ball over the bar.
Mid-way through to the first half, the Strikers would hit the front. Some fine determination and grit from Ashton Yates had him come away with the ball on the edge of the area before powering a shot beyond the Grays Point goalkeeper.
The Strikers almost made it two as James Buchanan forced Ruben Wilshaw into a good save.
Again, it was the team in the lead to threaten, this time thwarted by Evan Dracopoulos with a fantastic goal line clearance.
With the second half the heavens opened as Grays Point went in search of their equaliser.
Rowdy Graves was the first to go close to equalising, his shot somehow smothered by Downs.
As the game looked destined to finish the way of the Strikers, Grays Point found their equaliser with just over 10 minutes to go. Andres Vallejos was put through and he made no mistake with his finish, taking a deflection off Downs before bouncing in.
With the Strikers tiring, it was Grays Point finishing the stronger.
Grays Point should have gone in front with five minutes remaining as Graves cut the ball back for Luke Hewitt who got his bearings wrong and could not find the target from a good position.
They came again, this time Grady O’Brien forcing Downs into a save with his feet before the Grays Point striker found himself in another good position, this time not finding the target with his effort.
Downs was under siege and made a phenomenal save to deny Vallejos his second with only two minutes left, tipping the ferocious shot onto the bar.
But there would be no denying Grays Point in the final seconds as Graves put the game to bed with the last kick of the game. Failing to clear their lines, Graves ran onto a ball on the edge of the area and let fly on the half volley, giving Downs no chance in the Strikers goal and sealing the title with the last kick of the game for the Sutherland Shire Football Association team.
Match Stats
Collaroy Cromer Strikers 1 (Yates 21’)
Grays Point Soccer Club 2 (Vallejos 78’, Graves 90’)
Collaroy Cromer Strikers: 1. Downs, 2, Muir, 3. Yates, 4. Beck, 5. Collins, 6. Ka. Marshall-Witte, 7. Buchanan, 8. Phillips, 9. J. Wood, 10. Eason, 11. Pasalich, 12. Weight, 13. Williamson, 14. Dewar, 15. T. Wood, 16. Ke. Marshall-Witte, 17. Eberhardt.
Grays Point Soccer Club: 1. Wilshaw, 2. Allen, 4. Bruce, 5. C. Poulter, 6. Pickup, 7.O’Brien, 9. E. Poulter, 10. Slater, 11. Graves, 12. Schwoepfinger, 15. Sainsbury, 17. Z. Poulter, 20. Vallejos, 21. Hewitt, 25. Cox, 30. Mifsud, 99. Dracopoulos.
