Urunga Raiders produced a stunning second-half fightback to defeat Coffs United Lionesses 3-2 in a dramatic Women’s Premier League Grand Final at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday night.
The Lionesses came out firing and landed the opening blow inside four minutes when Saysha Hopkinson found the back of the net to give Coffs United an early 1-0 lead.
Hopkinson struck again in the 32nd minute to double the Lionesses’ advantage and put the reigning champions on the ropes.
But Urunga refused to buckle.
Kate Fry breathed life into the Raiders’ challenge before half-time, pulling a goal back to send Urunga into the sheds trailing 2-1.
Coffs United had controlled much of the opening half, but the momentum swung dramatically after the break as the reigning champions lifted the tempo in search of a way back into the contest.
They found it in the 54th minute when Cooper Andrews levelled the scores at 2-2, setting up a grandstand finish.
With extra time looming and neither side willing to surrender, Andrews produced a moment of magic in the dying stages.
From a corner, Andrews weaved her way through the pressure before finding the decisive finish to complete Urunga’s remarkable comeback and seal a 3-2 victory.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations as the Raiders successfully defended their Women’s Premier League Grand Final crown in one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
Woolgoolga Wolves left it until the death to claim the Men’s Premier League crown, defeating Northern Storm 1-0 with a dramatic injury-time winner in a pulsating Grand Final at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.
The two sides traded blows throughout a tense 90 minutes, with both defences refusing to yield as chances came and went at either end.
After a gripping contest, the deadlock remained unbroken at full time and sent the match into extra time.
Premier League leading scorer Tai Smith was in the right place at the right time, pouncing to tap the ball home in extra time and send the Woolgoolga faithful into a frenzy.
The late strike sparked wild celebrations as the Wolves secured a dramatic 1-0 victory and lifted the Men’s Premier League Grand Final trophy.
Here is the link to the YouTube livestream