Shepparton United’s Sarah Loverso battles for possession.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
An epic Super Cup decider between Shepparton United and Spring Gully was forced into extra-time at McEwen Reserve as the Blues hunted their first title in seven years.
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Spring Gully striker Madeline White struck the first blow of Sunday’s League 1 women’s grand final within 15 minutes before 15-year-old Macy Carrafa picked the perfect moment to score her first senior goal, her left-foot strike equalising just before half-time.
Paige Conder helped championship side Gully retake the lead, but only three minutes later, Alana Murray dodged through the centre of the pitch and landed the Blues’ second equaliser of the game.
Deadlocked at 2-2 after a breathless 90 minutes, the game had only one destination — extra-time.
The message from coach Sheridan Fairless heading into the two 15-minute periods was simple.
“Just do your best,” Fairless recalled.
“At the end of the day, defensive pressure was a big one. (Spring Gully) is quite strong through the midfield and from an attacking perspective.
“That was our focus, just making sure we were really locked up defensively and putting a lot of pressure on.”
But at a gusty McEwen Reserve, Gully’s set piece prowess came to the fore, with the Reds hooking two goals into the net to all but end the Blues hopes.
Still, United refused to surrender.
Lilli Wilson struck truly in the 111th minute to make it a one-goal deficit, with the Blues peppering the Gully defence in a frantic final dash to the whistle.
With the ball parked in Shepparton’s front third, however, the Reds were able to hold fast, confirming a 4-3 win and the League 1 double.
“We had the wind in the second half of extra time, and we were looking pretty good,” Fairless said.
“We put on about four or five shots in the last six minutes.
“We were peppering on the back end, just couldn't quite pull one away.”
Around the pitch, skipper Sarah Loverso and Lexi Boswell battled well, while Violet Higgins, tasked with minding dangerous striker White, was an important part of the defensive chess board for the Blues.
Fairless’ praise was felt squad-wide, and while disappointed the result didn’t fall their way on the final day of the season, the United mentor is confident the club’s young core will see them challenge again in 2027.
“It was a pretty good battle from the start, goal-for-goal the whole way along,” she said.
“We couldn’t get the job done in extra time which was a bit disappointing for us, but very proud about how the girls went about it. They were unbelievable.
“We put together a really good season and I think we've got lots of growth to build on. We have lots of good kids coming through.”
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