Rovers win thrilling penalty shootout in Albany Junior Soccer Association 14s semifinal

Cup semifinals day didn’t disappoint, with a thriller between Rovers and Great Southern Griffins in the Albany Junior Soccer Association 14s competition last Saturday.

Matthew Curtis scored first for Rovers before Eli Eaton answered with a strike for Griffins.

Both sides had more chances but were unable to convert before halftime.

Louis Ford scored to put Griffins in front but the team couldn’t find a third to put the match to bed.

Rovers improved and Curtis scored his second to take the match to extra time.

After 20 minutes of extra time, the two sides couldn’t be separated and the match had to be settled with a penalty shootout.

Georgia Whitelaw, who has been among the Rovers’ best all season, stepped up to take the first penalty but her shot was saved by goalkeeper Zach Darling.

Rovers won when Jazzabelle O’Neill slotted home the fifth penalty to book their place in the final.

They will play Polonia, who accounted for Denmark with a 4-2 victory.

In the 12s cup, Parklands beat Great Southern Griffins 5-3 and will play Denmark Black in the final after they comfortably beat St Josephs 7-2.

The cup final in the 13s will be contested between Stirling Rangers and Caledonians.

Stirling Rangers enjoyed a very routine victory against Albany Bayswater but Caledonians were made to work for their 2-0 win.

Archer Gordon scored first in the 16s semifinal for Rovers Black in their clash with Rovers Gold.

The first half was a scoreless affair but Gordon scored just after the break.

It never looked like it was going to be enough to secure the match, with Rovers Gold having large amounts of possession and creating several shots on goal.

Noah-Tate Grossman was able to get one past goalkeeper Seth Collins in the late stages of the game to send it to extra time.

The match was eventually won by another Gordon goal late in the second half of extra time for Rovers Black, sending them into the final where they will face Great Southern Griffins.

Polonia and Stirling Rangers will face each other in the 15s final after they beat Denmark and Albany Bayswater respectively.

In the 18s cup, the in-form Albany Bayswater will play Stirling Rangers in the decider.