LGSHA 2024: Spencer Park snatches women’s A-grade grand final spot from North Albany with one-goal victory

Spencer Park are one step closer to clinching the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade premiership after their hard-fought quarterfinal victory over North Albany on Saturday. A goal from the stick of Tallullah Gouldthorp that finished off a devastating counterattack in the fourth quarter proved the difference between the two sides as Park held on for a gripping 1-0 victory. The grey drizzly sky reflected in the game’s slow start with both teams hesitant to crack into the match during the first quarter. Redbacks ramped up the pressure in the second stanza, holding strong possession of the ball and teasing Park’s defence but ultimately failing to score on their penalty corner opportunity. Michelle Ericsson dominated the field for Redbacks, skimming long shots out of the throng of players with vigour, making up for the loss of Keira Tapscott, who had to sit out after copping a rogue ball to the eye. With the board still blank by the half-time, Park knuckled down with a string of goal attempts that were only foiled by the agility of a strong Redbacks defence. Nicole Jacobs’ precise stick work in the final period was only outshone by Gouldthorp, who saw a golden opportunity at the nine-minute mark and netted the match’s only goal. Despite a close penalty corner goal attempt in the final minutes, the Redbacks couldn’t claw back the goal they needed as they fell short and suffered just their third loss of the season. However the reigning premiers form has been a concern in the past month, having lost three of their past four matches. In their pursuit of five straight women’s A-grade titles, Redbacks will now have to bounce back in this Saturday’s semifinal against Mt Barker. The winner of that clash at 2pm will book the last grand final spot and do battle with Park in the premiership decider. Meanwhile, Spencer Park are the first team through to the men’s A-grade grand final after beating Manypeaks in their quarterfinal on Saturday night. Goals from Charlie Hudson, James Leiper and Brodie Sarre guided Park into the decider with a 3-2 triumph over Peaks who finished five points clear on top of the ladder. Peaks will now face North Albany in the semifinal at 4pm on Saturday with a grand final berth on the line.