Deakin Ducks FFV Geelong Women’s Champs.

Deakin Ducks FFV 

                          Geelong Women’s Champs.

FFV Geelong Womens Div 1 winners - Deakin Ducks.

By Mark Humphrey

On a warm September day in Geelong the Football Federation Victoria Geelong Division 1 Women’s final between the Deakin Ducks and Barwon FC was conducted at Myers Reserve in front of very enthusiastic supporters from both sides.

In what was billed pre-match as an epic encounter between the two top sides the spectators were looking for a classic final and the girls did not let them down.

With the two teams having met in the last round of the season to determine the pennant the result could have gone either way today with both teams having excellent strikers backed up by a solid defence.

The game opened up with both teams attacking the goals and putting their respective defences under enormous pressure. Deakin drew first blood less than 5 minutes into the game when striker Maddie Le Gow scored from the right side of the posts to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead.

Ducks celebrate after Maddie Le Gow scores

Not to be outdone Barwon pushed forward immediately after the re-start with Steph Durran crossing to Bec Wells. Wells the gun striker for Barwon had already found the net on 32 occasions throughout the season and once again had the ball in the back of the net.

 Ducks could not prevent the Wells strike.

After 8 minutes of play the game was tied up at 1 all. Obviously the defences of both teams needed to take control of the match to stop the onslaught of scoring.

A wayward kick by Deakin had Barwon setting up for a corner. Deakin defended the shot well and cleared the ball only to have Wells cross to Hannah Troop for a long range shot which went wide.

While Wells was looking dangerous in front of the net for Barwon, Le Gow up the other end was causing havoc for the Barwon defence. Some impressive footwork by Le Gow had her go past the Barwon keeper only to go wide of the posts and miss a golden opportunity to score yet again. This was the first time in 10 minutes that Deakin had entered the forward area and although Le Gow had missed the shot the preparation by the Deakin forwards was impeccable. Barwon went on the counter attack immediately and were pushing forward when match ref Ollie Grygorvan halted proceedings and handed Deakin #9 Romani Leech a yellow card for an illegal substitution.

20 minutes gone in the first half and a cross to Wells has her setting up for another attempt on goal for Barwon with a strong strike which once again was kept out by the Deakin defence. By now both defensive units were starting to get on top making scoring opportunities a premium.

Deakin had a scoring opportunity 8 minutes later with a corner. Great defensive work by Rea and Troop kept the ball out of the Deakin scoring range only to have a long range attempt by Deakin whistle past the posts for a near miss.

Deakin was awarded a corner at the 33^rd minute and again at the 39^th minute after a dangerous cross by Le Gow was kicked clear by the Barwon defence. Just as Barwon had done in the first part of the match, Deakin was now controlling the match constantly going into attack and setting up for scoring opportunities. Hannah Gordon and Lucy Johnston were looking dangerous for the ducks setting up many of the offensive plays with aggressive running.

Ducks Captain Rachael Thompson was used strategically on kick ins for breaking runs down the sidelines opening up the forward area and providing Le Gow with plenty of opportunities.

A cross by Leonie Tavrou has superstar Ducks striker Le Gow putting one into the left hand side of the box to give the Deakin Ducks a 2-1 lead approaching half time.

The resumption of play after the break had both teams lifting the tempo with plenty of aggression being showed by both teams. You could feel the urgency in the game as both teams were desperate to dictate terms.

A yellow was awarded to the Deakin livewire Hannah Gordon just after the resumption of play much to the delight of the Barwon spectators. Last week the Duck pond resonated all over the park with their support of the ducks but this week they had to take the back seat to the Barwon gallery. Soon after, Gordon was substituted accompanied by cheering from the Barwon sidelines. The atmosphere from the sidelines was electric and complimented the skills demonstrated by the women.

Barwon push the ball up the right side of the pitch for Wells to have a shot. The strike goes wide giving the ball up. Ducks keeper Jacqui Denning kicks the ball long to a running Thompson who in turn opens up the forward area with a cross to Le Gow.  Le Gow is open for the shot and gets the shot past the goalie only to see the ball go just wide of the post. The attempt was the first positive attack for Deakin in the second half with the play executed by Denning looking like a set play.

Barwon forward Emma Rea was starting to dictate terms across the centre and was providing plenty of opportunities for her team mates. A long shot by Rea went high and wide of the net but signalled the intensity of the match. With less than 30 to go in the final Barwon looked to score from long range and just had to make something happen. A superb cross from Rea had Troop in scoring position and her strike looked to be going in until Ducks goalie Jacqui Denning at full stretch deflected the ball for a Barwon corner. Deakin was able to keep out the corner kick and attacked once again with a long kick down the right line. A solid strike by LeGow was deflected by the Barwon defence resulting in a Deakin corner. The corner was cleared by Barwon only to see the ball heading back into Ducks territory. An aggressive attack on the ball by Ducks player Amy de Hoog resulted in the games first and only red card. With 25 gone in the second half Deakin was 1 player down and needed to dig deep. For Barwon this was the opportunity they needed to firstly tie up the game and then win.

Deakin kept attacking and a pass from Johnston set up Gordon for a shot on goal that went wide of the post.  Barwon put the ball into play and a mix-up by the Deakin players gives Rea a perfect scoring opportunity in front of the goals. Her shot got past the Deakin goalie but just went wide to go down as a missed golden opportunity.

Ducks livewire Hannah Gordon found space down the right side and with some aggressive running put the ball into Thompson’s path heading into goal. An aggressive Barwon goalie gives up a yellow card and a penalty right in front. Le Gow takes the penalty but the strike is high. Play moves back and forward for the next 10 minutes with several attacks on the scoring zone. Pressure by the Barwon forwards results in a Deakin handball with a subsequent penalty kick. Fantastic strike by Wells clears the defenders and once again is deflected by a diving Denning stopping what looked to be a certain goal.

Yet another scoring opportunity created by Le Gow gets past the keeper looking for a Deakin deflection. None forthcoming and Barwon clear the ball.

Maddie Le Gow accepts her medal.

Into injury time and Barwon had not been able to capitalize on the extra player.

The whistle blows bringing the final to an end with the Deakin Ducks winning their first ever women’s final against a gallant Barwon FC.  Skills displayed by the women were exceptional which no doubt impressed Football Federation Victoria officials.

Ducks manager Graeme Semple congratulated firstly Barwon FC on their effort and then his team for the discipline and skills displayed throughout the day and more importantly throughout the season.

Ex Victorian State Junior baseballer and Barwon manager Dion Kirchner was extremely happy with his players.  Kirchner said “We played Deakin 2 weeks ago for the pennant and lost in a very close game. I said then that we would see them in 2 weeks”. He went on to say “I’m really proud of my players and it’s a credit to the club to have such a well-respected women’s team”.

Barwon coach Dion Kirchner addresses the crowd.

For the victors, celebrations will no doubt have commenced and are expected to run well into tomorrow where the clubs Division 1 men’s teams are up against the Geelong Ranges.

Images from the final.

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