By JARROD POTTER
PUTTING another 2015 trophy onto an already crowded shelf at Jack Thomas Reserve, Berwick City’s senior women claimed the Women’s State League 2 championship after a sensational 3-2 come-from-behind win over Eltham Redbacks.
In the south-east versus north-west showdown on Sunday, City had to go in without influential defender Shannon Stroud, but was able to endure the pressure once more.
Eltham got out of the blocks early before Berwick City’s mercurial striker Kelsey Minton (three goals) started unleashing her might.
Minton blasted the first – smashing it into the top of the goals – to level the ledger approaching the half.
Eltham took the lead once more in the second half, forcing Berwick City to get on the front foot and attack in the final 30 minutes of their stellar 2015 campaign – highlighted by a 13-2-2 record at top the WSLSE2 ladder.
But Minton wasn’t done – she thumped through the match-winning free with 10 minutes left, with another fireball too hard for any keeper to negate.
They scored first but we equalised with a minute to go – free kick 25 metres out and Kelsey Minton smashed one into the top of the goal – cracking goal,” Berwick City coach David Mackie said.
“I told the girls at half-time just to go out and enjoy ourselves – doesn’t matter what the game was about – and we went from there.”
Mackie praised Minton’s season – where she booted 22 goals – for not only her striking achievements but also her desire to fill-in where needed to help the team.
“She’s had a fantastic year – top goal scorer in our league and missed two or three games,” Mackie said. “Two games in goals and filled in as a centre half as well.
“She can play all over the park and had a blinder.”
Mackie also thought captain Katie Wilson and Jess Beddows – his best defensive stopper – were superb in the season finale to help Berwick City take the league/championship double.
“Great season for the club – three leagues won and women’s football is alive at Berwick City Soccer Club,” Mackie said. “We hope to get three senior women’s teams next year.”
However the new look State League 1 structure takes – with the Women’s Premier League converting into an eight-team Women’s National Premiers League (Victoria) competition – Mackie thought his side had what it takes to keep up with the top brass in the next level.
