Macken’s four edges United closer to an undefeated season
EDGE Hill United is just one win away from finishing an undefeated FNQ Premier League season after a 5-3 win against Leichhardt in the qualifying final at Tiger Park.
Nothing had split the top two teams in the competition in their previous contests this season, but Leichhardt had little answer for a determined Tigers outfit.
Siobhan Macken was the chief destroyer with four goals, while
Olivia Gables scored a long-range goal from the right flank as the Tigers built a 5-1 lead.
Coach Glen Waddingham was happy with his team’s effort but said Macken’s desire to win made a major difference.
“If you score four goals in a major semi final like Shibby did, I think it shows her desire to want to win as well,” Waddingham said.
“That’s just Shibby.
“She’s desperate to get on the end of any cross to put it in the back of the net. There was another one in the second half where it was given a foul, but it was a similar sort of challenge where she just wanted to get on the end of the cross and that’s what you want from a striker.
“She ended up with four and that’s just reward.”
Leichhardt reduced the lead late in the contest, but Edge Hill Utd had enough on the board and left in the tank to hold on until full-time.
“To score five against this sort of team is a huge effort,” Waddingham said. “It shows you can never rest with a team like Leichhradt, who have some quality players across the park, and they came back.”
Aleeah Davern scored Leichhardt’s first goal, while a Stacey Ghietti penalty and late goal from Ria Collie rounded out the visitors’ scoresheet in a tough afternoon.
They will now prepare to face Mareeba United, who beat JCU Strikers 1-0 in the elimination final at Mareeba’s Lindsay Australia Stadium yesterday.