The Olympia Warriors were given a tremendous scare, before launching a dramatic fightback to secure their place in the Summer Cup Final. Trailing 2-0 at the half, the Warriors ignited in the second half and scored four times in a stirring come from behind win to book a date with the Clarence Zebras in the decider on March 14th.
A major upset had appeared on the cards after 45 minutes with South putting in a tremendous first 45 minutes effort against the defending Summer Cup champions and threatening a boil-over. Sharpshooter Phoebe Djakic had her side ahead early on before Niki Moutsatsos smashed one home from range to double their lead, leaving the Warriors with it all to do.
By the midway point of the second half it remained at 2-0 and the Warriors appeared in strife, before a familar duo got them back into it. With such impressive firepower at their disposal, Olympia were always going to be capable of scoring quick goals and their star wingers would ultimately lead the fightback. First it was the speedy Bonnie Davies, cutting the margin to 2-1 with a well placed finish, before the reigning WSL Best and Fairest winner, Madi Chambers squared it up with 15 minutes to go.
The Warriors confidence was now surging and a lagging South side simply couldn't keep up, as Bonnie Davies made it a brace and handed her side the lead on 83 minutes. It was then left to new signing and former W-League player, Zoe Haralampopoulos to secure the victory when she fired home in the final few minutes of the game to remove any threat of penalties determining who would advance.
The win means the Warriors top Group B and will now meet the Clarence Zebras in the Women's Summer Cup Final, at 2:00pm on Saturday 14 March. The pair famously clashed in a thrilling last day of the season decider in the Super League last year and this will be their first meeting since that clash in what looms as a fascinating Cup Final.