South Melbourne secured a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium in the Semi-Final on Saturday afternoon to move into this year’s NPLW Grand Final.
Calder United started brightly in the first half, with Cindy Lay chipping the keeper from the edge of the area to open up the scoring 67 seconds into the match.
The visitors were unlucky not to get a second after hitting the crossbar then the upright in the 7th minute as the girls trailed 1-0 at half time.
The ladder leaders started the better of the two teams in the second half, with 21 year old superstar Tiffany Eliadis tucking away Alexandra Gummer’s cross in the 61st minute.
Just three minutes later, talented youngster Melina Ayres scored South’s second to extend the home side’s lead to 2-1 in the 64th minute.
Calder United were unable to get one back after a goal clearance rebounded for an open net goal in the 72nd minute as the match went into extra time.
Two minutes into extra time, Ayres with a delightful turn into pass Natalie Martineau pushed it into the back of the net as South held a 3-2 lead in extra time.
With a 3-2 lead in extra time courtesy of Natalie Martineau, Ayres was able to score her 40th goal for the season with a superb run and a lucky finish as the girls finished with a 4-2 victory over Calder United at Lakeside Stadium.