ACT Grand Final shock upsets
Belconnen United thrashed Canberra FC 4-1 in the ACT men's Grand Final today and Belwest Foxes beat hot favourites Weston Creek 1-0 in the Women's final.
Belconnen United hadn't beaten Canberra FC in living memory or so it seemed despite these two side being the best clubs for a number of years in the local game.
Belconnen Coach Steve Forshaw wore his lucky Akubra hat, just like last week when his side beat Olympic and it worked again.
Forshaw who retired after the game could not have asked for a better finish.
After missing out on the winners medal by an extra-time goal last year many felt Belconnen who have a mixed season had less chance of winning today.
But the after a severe storm earlier, the sun came out to play and Belconnen matched the mood.
David Kemp opened the scoring early, local legend Danny Macor made it two in what could be his last game at this level.
Canberra FC produced a surprisingly lethargic, almost bizarre game by their standards.
Paul Ivanic got his 23rd goal of the season but the club who have produced so many great players down the years and are celebrating their 50th year in operation will be disappointed with this performance.
Canberra Coach Ivan Grucic said, "the best team won, so he couldn't be too disappointed."
But at 2-1 he must have thought his side had a sniff.
But Danny Macor and Dustin Wells combined to produce a goal to win any final.
A searching pass from Macor found inaugural Valeri medal winner Dustin Wells. He had a bit to do but he did it well. Went round one, was tripped, but managed to get back up and finish sensationally driving the ball over Canberra outstretched keeper Nathan Denham.
Taylor Beaton who has had an outstanding season wrapped up the game.
In the Women's final...
Belwest's Cian Maciejewski stole the show, or would have if she hadn't been sent off.
She drove the ball home in the third minute to pierce the normally strong Weston Creek defence.
An open flowing game saw chances for both sides. Maciejewski was in all the action.
She hit the post, placed a header just wide and then got sent from the field. But she won the game with her early strike.
Weston Creek fought well. Jenny Brew had a free kick which hit the bar, the Creek also hit the post.
It was that sort of game.
But for Belwest a sense of satisfaction having missed out on the final last year, a game they felt they deserved to be in.
The Murray medal, presented by former Australian and Canberra football FIFA Ambassador Julie Murray, went to Sophia Merkoureas of Belwest.
Both games will be on Channelvision later in the week and you can also watch them on the Channelvision website..... if you are a Belwest and Belconnen fan I suppose:)
