The Clarence Zebras have turned the tables on the Olympia Warriors, producing a dominant performance to secure the 2020 Women's Statewide Cup with a 3-0 victory.
Danielle Kannegiesser fired her side into the lead in the opening moments and from there her side didn't look back, controlling the game from start to finish to claim the silverware.
In just the second minute the Clarence Zebras had the lead as Nichols pounced on a heavy touch from Roberts, slid it through to Kannegiesser who took a touch before picking out the bottom corner.
It changed the dynamic of the match as the Warriors found themselves in the unusual position of having to chase the game, an unfamiliar scenario for them this season. Indeed one of the few occasions they did find themselves trailing was when they stared down a 1-0 Clarence Zebras lead in the first WSL clash of the season and this game followed a similar script, as the usually free scoring Warriors were completely and utterly stifled. O'Brien and Dixon marshalled the dangerous Davies masterfully whilst Marmion and Gill continued to prevent the pacey Warriors attack from getting in behind the defence.
The only goal threat was coming at the other end of the pitch from the Zebras and only some super keeping from Jenna Farrow kept it at 1-0 by half time as she charged off her line to make a crucial block on a Kannegiesser chance before denying Nichols with another massive stop just past the half hour mark.
With the gap at just one goal they were always going to be a threat given the wealth of attacking options at their disposal, but when the Warriors went down 2-0 shortly after the restart the alarms were sounding.
Madi Black misdirected a clearance straight past Farrow from a Kannegiesser cross on 51 minutes and now staring down a 2 goal defecit, Olympia looked out of ideas.
There seemed a lack of a plan B, as the Zebras grew in confidence with every passing minute, sensing their opponents were lacking inspiration in their pursuit of a goal.
Then on 76 minutes the dagger was driven in by Louisa Marmion, who played a superb game and was on hand to sweep home the rebound after Farrow had once again produced a super save to deny Nichols. It made 3-0 with just 15 minutes to play and all but confirmed the Clarence Zebras triumph.
It makes it another Cup Final victory under Chris Hey for this group of players and their second of the year since the inception of the Clarence Zebras following their Summer Cup victory back in March.
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