Goals by Simpson and Perano clinch the title

Eastern league women’s champions: Gisborne United clinched the women’s club football championship with a 2-0 victory over rivals Riverina at Harry Barker Reserve on Sunday. A draw would have been enough for United to finish on top of the six-team league, but a goal in each half meant they ended the season five points ahead of runners-up Riverina. These two teams had been out on their own for most of the season. Before the weekend, they had beaten each other once, and Campion College were the only other team to have taken points off either of them — they drew 2-2 with Riverina last month, a result that enabled United to go into the last game of the season with a two-point lead. United are, standing (from left): Amber Church, Molly Adams, Hana Edwardson, Kayley Knight, Jamie Gedye, Taryn Walford, Becca Peach and Karen McDonald. Kneeling: Stella Perano, Sarah Graham, Brooke Gedye, Chelsea Simpson, Claire Bayliss and Rubi Perano. Front: Mel Knight. Absent: Tessa McDonald. Picture supplied

A goal in each half of the last game of the season clinched the women’s Eastern League title for Gisborne United on Sunday.

They beat rivals Gisborne Laundry Services Riverina 2-0 in a title decider at Harry Barker Reserve.

Striker Chelsea Simpson opened the scoring when she ran on to a through ball in the 24th minute and slotted it past Riverina goalkeeper Erin Sycamore.

It was a tough blow to take as, until then, Riverina had put Heavy Equipment Services United under a lot of pressure.

The game continued to flow from end to end with both goalkeepers — Sycamore and United’s Mel Knight — being called on to perform heroics to keep their opponents at bay.

In one five-minute spell, Sycamore dived bravely at the feet of a United striker to foil an attack and then tipped a rasping shot on to the post.

Both keepers commanded their penalty area and dealt confidently with the high ball into the goalmouth.

United struck again at a crucial stage, in the 62nd minute, with a goal to Rubi Perano from the penalty spot after a United attacker was brought down in the penalty area.

Riverina fought back, with midfielders Dara Mulrooney, Tori Lolohea and Manaia Mill, and striker Lizzie Hall all prominent.

But they could not breach the tight-marking United defence. Rubi Perano was outstanding in a solid, hard-working unit.

United’s midfield also came to the party on defence. Veteran Karen McDonald played a central defensive role, and left the forward runs to the mobile Kayley Knight and Jamie Gedye.

The match was played in good spirit, which helped referee Chris Niven and his two assistants keep everything in order.