A late Sophie Hoban goal saw APIA Leichhardt advance to the final of the Sapphire Cup as the Wanderers went down 2-1 at Wanderers Football Park on Wednesday night.
The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 Women’s side went down 2-1 to APIA Leichhardt at Wanderers Football Park in heartbreaking fashion as the two sides played out an exciting semi-final clash on Wednesday night.
The Wanderers welcomed Cushla Rue into the side for the first time this season as they looked to reach their first-ever Sapphire Cup Final.
The Red and Black dominated early proceedings as the side threatened to break open the APIA defence inside ten minutes. That was until Alvina Khoshaba put in a fantastic cross into the danger zone that Jesica Seaman and her goalkeeper failed to clear. It found Anika Stajcic, who headed it in for the Wanderers to open the scoring.
The Leichhardt side looked to equalise, and as they began to dominate possession and search for the equaliser, they were denied by a flying Aimee Hall.
The lead would only last 19 minutes, as Olivia D’Costa unfortunately turned the ball into her own net following an early cross from Charlotte Lancaster.
Ashlee Brodigan looked to put APIA ahead shortly thereafter, but Hall’s flailing left hand made the save to deny the winger.
Cushla Rue broke into space early in the second half but failed to trouble the keeper as her shot deflected off Sophie Magus. Talia Younis arrived late in the box, but her shot found the crossbar from close range.
APIA would then see two one-on-one chances go begging, as Aimee Hall denied the side. This was until the 84th minute, when Chelsea Barton was dispossessed by Charlotte Lancaster. Lancaster found Hoban at the far post to put the Leichhardt side ahead.
The Wanderers will rue their missed chances but also be disappointed that two mistakes led to two concessions. The Red and Black’s Sapphire Cup run ended agonisingly short of the finish line as the side were minutes away from a potential first-ever grand final.
They will be back in NPL NSW action on Sunday when they take on the Illawarra Stingrays at Wanderers Football Park.
