Memorable Matches™: Team WoW vs Clare Street Elite (2010)

Everything was riding on this semi-final matchup, and Team WoW were far from favorites to win it. They had had a typically up and down season, excelling in some difficult matches but also falling to some less than impressive teams. The corresponding fixture in the season had seen Team WoW thoroughly outplayed by the opposition, who proved that they were elite not only in name. Big names Phil Gale and Wil Darling were ruled out of the game, they were replaced by Taroona old boys Tim Parrott and Sterling Rayment. Michael Riske was also out for the match so Tom BJ deputised. It had all the makings of a complete flogging, but Team WoW had something special in store.

The game started with a shock Team WoW goal against the run of play. Sterling Rayment played the ball to Jordan Scott who applied the deftest of touches with the outside of his right boot to beat the keeper. Clare Street quickly got back into it, though, firing past BJ into the bottom corner. They struck a second before halftime, leaving Team WoW demoralized at 2-1.

The second half started with a bang. Foster netted to level the game, then Bryan, in a display of individual brilliance, made it 3-2. Team WoW looked set for victory, but then Clare Street managed another two quick fire goals: 4-3. The game was heating up, and it was manifested in a Team WoW penalty as a result of cumulative fouls. Andy Thompson had returned from a grueling hike just hours before the match so his game time was limited. He made it count, though, coming on to rocket the penalty home and make it 4-4 with minutes left. It was thrilling end to end action for the remainder of the game. Only the heroics of Tom BJ in goal prevented Team WoW from going down late on. Again the pressure got to Clare Street and they conceded another penalty; on the 40th minute. With literally the last kick of the game, Thompson struck a superb penalty but hit the post. At 4-4, extra time was required to separate the teams.

The extra time period tested Team WoW's fitness. Thompson was a notable casualty, the strain became too much and he could not play on. Matters got worse just minutes in, with Clare Street taking the lead once more after some crisp passing. The story still wasn't over, though. Scott came on and slid an inch perfect pass to Rayment, who fired the ball home for the equalizer. Just minutes later, Scott was again provider. Some thrilling solo work on the wing eventually saw him square the ball to Foster, who still had plenty of work to do. His unorthodox left-footed backheel, however, somehow found the net to make it 6-5; and that was the way it stayed.

Team WoW, the underdogs, were through to the final after perhaps their greatest performance ever. Unfortunately, after such an exhausting semifinal they were completely thrashed at the final hurdle.