Wellington United Diamonds W-League Champions 2021
CHAMPIONS
Monday 2 August, 2021
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Photos : TJF photos
Wellington United Diamonds made it four W-League titles in a row with a resounding 3-0 win over closest rivals Palmerston North Marist on Saturday.
Going into the game whichever team won the game would win the league, Diamonds could afford to draw but sitting back and playing for that isn't in their nature. They like to attack and did so right from the start it was a telling sign that Palmerston North Marist started top scorer Mikela Boxall at centre back in an effort to counter this.
It took 23 minutes for the breakthrough to happen, when striker Jemma Robertson curled a corner directly in to the top far corner of the net. Six minutes later she went one better, picking up the ball 25 meters out and firing a lovely shot that dipped just under the bar leaving Brooke Bennett in the Marist goal no chance. A strike that has to be a contender for goal of the season.
While Diamonds were enjoying the majority of possession and territory it wasn't all one way and Marist did create some chances but they couldn't find a way past Molly Simons, who like the rest of the team was at the top of her game and made some crucial saves, including a great double save from a one on one and in the second half managing to tip the ball over the bar when it looked like a certain goal.
Palmerston North Marist came out in the second half with more purpose and attacked more but were unable to break down the Diamonds defence, who will be extremely pleased that they kept a clean sheet against a team that had scored an average of five goals game during the season.
Jemma Robertson had the chance for her hat-trick when she was fouled in the box and stepped up to take the penalty. Uncharacteristically for her she smashed the ball into the upright. She did complete her hat-trick in the 84th minute when she picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot into the net
This was truly a team performance from the Diamonds. Every player was giving it their all and communicating with each other, backing each other up and playing some beautiful football. It was Diamonds day and they truly showed that they are deserved W-League champions for a fourth season in a row.
ENDS
Ultra Football W-League
Saturday 31 July, 2021
Memorial Park, Palmerston North
Wellington United Diamonds (2) 3 (Jemma Robertson 3)
Palmerston North Marist (0) 0
GOALS
Goal 1 - 23 minutes
Goal 2 - 29 minutes
Goal 3 - 84 minutes
Going into the game whichever team won the game would win the league, Diamonds could afford to draw but sitting back and playing for that isn't in their nature. They like to attack and did so right from the start it was a telling sign that Palmerston North Marist started top scorer Mikela Boxall at centre back in an effort to counter this.
It took 23 minutes for the breakthrough to happen, when striker Jemma Robertson curled a corner directly in to the top far corner of the net. Six minutes later she went one better, picking up the ball 25 meters out and firing a lovely shot that dipped just under the bar leaving Brooke Bennett in the Marist goal no chance. A strike that has to be a contender for goal of the season.
While Diamonds were enjoying the majority of possession and territory it wasn't all one way and Marist did create some chances but they couldn't find a way past Molly Simons, who like the rest of the team was at the top of her game and made some crucial saves, including a great double save from a one on one and in the second half managing to tip the ball over the bar when it looked like a certain goal.
Palmerston North Marist came out in the second half with more purpose and attacked more but were unable to break down the Diamonds defence, who will be extremely pleased that they kept a clean sheet against a team that had scored an average of five goals game during the season.
Jemma Robertson had the chance for her hat-trick when she was fouled in the box and stepped up to take the penalty. Uncharacteristically for her she smashed the ball into the upright. She did complete her hat-trick in the 84th minute when she picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot into the net
This was truly a team performance from the Diamonds. Every player was giving it their all and communicating with each other, backing each other up and playing some beautiful football. It was Diamonds day and they truly showed that they are deserved W-League champions for a fourth season in a row.
ENDS
Ultra Football W-League
Saturday 31 July, 2021
Memorial Park, Palmerston North
Wellington United Diamonds (2) 3 (Jemma Robertson 3)
Palmerston North Marist (0) 0
GOALS
Goal 1 - 23 minutes
Goal 2 - 29 minutes
Goal 3 - 84 minutes
