This weekend, Football NSW will host the 2024 State Cup Finals at Cromer Park, and all eyes will be on the All Age Women’s State Cup final between Lindfield FC and UTS FC.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as these two talented teams from the Northern Suburbs Football Association (NSFA) go head-to-head for the coveted title. Kickoff is at 5:00 PM on Saturday at Cromer Park 1.
Credit: Adrian Mow (@adrian.mow on Instagram)
Lindfield FC’s Journey to the Final
Coach Paul Grundy shares his thoughts on this remarkable achievement:
“At the start of the season, aside from having fun, going deep into the state cup competition was one of the goals for the squad. We have now got to the final. No club from NSFA has ever won this State Cup match, so we are hoping to be the first.”
Lindfield FC has faced numerous challenges, particularly with injuries. Their semi-final victory, where they played most of the 120 minutes with only ten players due to injury, showcased their incredible team spirit and character. Grundy acknowledges the vital role of the injured players who have been vocally supporting from the sidelines, equating their presence to having an extra player on the pitch.
As the grand final approaches, the excitement within the squad is palpable. Grundy notes, “The whole squad is super excited for Saturday’s match against UTS. To play another team from NSFA shows the depth in our Premier League at the moment.”
Credit: Jaime Castaneda (@jamcas50 on Instagram)
UTS FC’s Road to Glory
Coach Jake Cohen reflects on what this grand final means to the team:
“It is a great honour and privilege to make the FNSW State Cup final. It is something that the team has been working to achieve for a number of seasons, but we also realise that the job isn’t done yet, so we’ll be working hard to ensure we perform well in the final.”
Cohen highlights pivotal moments from their season, including overcoming strong opponents like Pittwater from the MWFA competition, and Shellharbour and Woonona from the Football South Coast competition. Their semi-final win against Gymea, who had defeated last year’s MWFA, State Cup, and Champions of Champions winners, Seaforth, was particularly significant.
The morale within the UTS FC camp is high as they prepare for the grand final. Cohen shares, “The mood and morale are good. We’ve played a lot of football lately with the team on a high, so we’re looking to continue that. We’re excited about putting in a great training session to maximise our chances in the final on Saturday.”
A Historic Match Awaits
With both teams representing NSFA, this final highlights the strength and depth of women’s football in the region. As Lindfield FC and UTS FC take to the field, spectators can expect an exhilarating 90minute contest filled with skill, passion, and determination.
Join us at Cromer Park 1 this Saturday at 5:00 PM to witness history in the making as Lindfield FC and UTS FC battle it out for the All Age Women’s State Cup title.