Virginia Snatch Late Winner

Centenary Stormers 1 (Kleibo 2') Virginia Utd 2 (Medhurst 9'; Usher 84') HT 1-1 Played at: AJ Kelly Park

Virginia United rebounded to top form and produced the first upset of the final weekend with a 2-1 win over Champions Centenary Stormers in the Capital League 2 Grand Final at AJ Kelly Field on Saturday afternoon. Centenary Stormers got off to the best possible start when Shoheel Khan played a sublime ball between the the centre backs and Joey Kleibo was never going to miss from three yards out. A goal so early in the contest could well have taken the wind out of the underdog’s sails but they found a great equaliser eight minutes later through the head of Dan Medhurst who was the recipient of a pin-point right hand side cross from Alex Nicolaidis. With six minutes remaining on the clock, Tom Usher hit the winner with a stunning volley from the edge of the box after a corner was only punched away by the keeper. The first half was a typical grand final with commitment from both teams but still a willingness to push forward when the opportunity presented itself… Centenary were on top but it was obvious that Virginia had showed up to play much better than their patchy performance in the preliminary final last weekend at home. After the break, in hot conditions, both teams slugged it out without creating too many genuine opportunities although Steven Chester came off the bench and very nearly scored with a bicycle kick. The real moment of the game for the Stormers came and went in the 87th minute when Fedja Mehinagic beat the backline and was unable to finish beneath the outrushing Nick Riggall for Virginia. Plenty of great performances from both teams, notably Joey Kleibo who caused havoc in the first half without really breaking open the strong Virginia back four. Centenary will argue they were the better team, and certainly they had most of the possession in the last half an hour, but Virginia really wanted this result and willed themselves home through sheer determination. Regardless of the outcome, it was a game worthy of the last day of the season with plenty for the packed house of vocal supporters. Coaches' Remarks: Benn Schofield (Centenary Stormers): “That’s how Virginia play, they are very good at keeping their defensive shape and structure and look to beating us on the counter attack. They had their two shots on target and they scored their two goals and their keeper played very well. I’m sure the tape will tell the tale but I thought my boys played very well…it’s disappointing to lose a grand final but if you don’t take your chances on the day you’re not going to win.” Richard Hudson (Virginia United): “Grand Final, nobody wants to make a mistake, they came out all guns blazing as they have done all season and hurt us early as they have done in the league games. But we absorbed it and created a number of chances forcing them to chase the game in the last ten minutes, but I thought we deserved it because we pulled our sleeves up and wanted it more than them. To good sides, both going up, and I don’t either were be overawed by the challenge next season.”

FB Media Player of the Match: Alex Nicolaidis (Vriginia United) pictured above.

Nicolaidis didn’t score and at times was guilty of over-playing, but his thrusts down the left wing not only released pressure but also kept Centenary in two minds defensively all afternoon.

Team Line-ups

Centenary Stormers: .Crow (gk), Butler, Harris, Shaqlain Khan, Shoheel Khan, Kleibo, Le, Mehinagic, Pedro, Ruiz, Schofield J. Subs: Schofield A (rgk), Chester, Donaldson, Kavianpour, Shameem. Virginia United: Riggall (gk), Crawford, Harbeck, Hinds, Kehoe, Medhurst, Nicolaidis, Penny, Pitt, Usher, Wilson. Subs: Debagge, Geddes, McCluskie, Randal, Smith. REFEREE: Paul Eldridge

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