LGSHA 2023: Clinical Redbacks net three goals to sink Spencer Park and be first team into women’s grand final

Two first-half goals helped North Albany book a place in this year’s Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade grand final. Redbacks are chasing a fourth straight premiership and they took another step towards that feat with a comprehensive 3-0 win over rivals Spencer Park. The two dominant teams of the regular season met in the semifinal on Saturday but the Redbacks struck in the first and second quarters to open up a match-winning lead. The Redbacks sealed the victory with a third goal after half-time, pushing them directly into the grand final on Saturday week. They have now won seven games in a row and will enjoy a week off as they wait to see who their grand final opponent will be. Felicity Ericsson was influential, scoring twice for the winners, while the other goal came from the stick of Sarah Buckley. Beck Gallimore provided plenty of drive for her side while keeper Chloe Whitfort and the Redbacks’ defence played well to keep a clean sheet. Rachael Goetze and Georgina Lilford were busy for Park but they failed to make the most of their chances in the front half and suffered a sixth loss of the season. Park will now face LGSHA in Saturday’s preliminary final, the winner securing the final place in this year’s grand final. In their meetings this season Park have won all five encounters, including a 3-1 result in round 13. The LGSHA was a newly formed A-grade team this year and finished third on the ladder, with three wins, one draw and 11 losses. The preliminary final will start at 2pm.