Former Jets representative Stacey Day made a match-winning cameo off the bench as Newcastle Olympic downed Broadmeadow in extra time and booked a spot in their first Northern NSW Women's Premier League grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Day came on late in the second half of the major semi and twice cleared the ball off the goal line in regulation time before converting a penalty in the 108th minute to break the deadlock and deliver Olympic a 2-1 victory at Speers Point on Sunday.
It follows Olympic wrapping up a breakthrough minor premiership last weekend, when Day made an unexpected return from a knee injury having joined the club earlier this year from 2019 champions New Lambton.
"It's been disappointing for Stacey after picking up an injury in her second game for us and we didn't really think she would be part of the season again," Olympic coach Harmonie Attwill said.
"She's been a surprise in for us but you can't really say no to a player of that calibre."
Atwill said starting left back Imogen Tusek had performed strongly before Day replaced her.
Brooke Summers opened the scoring for Olympic in the 14th minute before Magic struck back courtesy of Lucy Jerram around the half-hour mark.
Scores remained level at 1-all until full-time. This was followed by a 30-minute period of extra time.
Olympic progress to the 2020 decider at Adamstown Oval on October 18.
Broadmeadow now meet Warners Bay in this weekend's preliminary final after the Panthers defeated Merewether 6-2 in the minor semi, which was also played at Speers Point on Sunday.
Warners Bay pair Jen Hoy and Annika D'Amico both netted hat-tricks. Tamara Nash and Ellie Withers replied for United. It was 4-0 at half-time.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
- NSW Ambulance service maintains 'stony silence' after four senior Hunter managers stood down in as many months amid investigations
- Concept designs for a new seven-storey acute services building at John Hunter Hospital unveiled
- Knights boss reveals how close the club came to being relocated after losing $50 million in a decade
- NRL launches Rabbitohs investigation as Sam Burgess denies allegations on eve of 2020 finals series