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The Miranda Magpies have won 5 premierships from their 8 Grand Finals in an amazing weekend of football.
The Saturday kicked off with our 12D's up against Georges River, who won the minor premiership. Finishing second, the Magpies scored a 1-1 draw with them before going down 3-1. They tied the first semi 1-1 so the Magpies needed a win in the Grand Final. Georges River scored early, but the Magpies equalized just before halftime, but River were too strong, with the little forward scoring twice more to win the game 3-1.
Then we saw our 12C's take on Loftus in another cracking match. Loftus finished 1st and Magpies second but the Magpies had the better of them, winning 2-1 before going down 2-0 and winning the first semi 2-1. But with Loftus finishing first, the Magpies needed a win to take the title, scoring first and looking strong but a late equalizer sent the game to extra time with no score, so Loftus were crowned champions.
The W12B's were next up, hoping to give the Magpies their first win against St Patricks. Miranda were undefeated minor premiers and St Pats second, with Miranda winning 3-0 and 2-1 during the season before edging St Pats out 1-0 in the first semi final. It was a close, tough match and midway through the second half St Pats got a goal from a short corner and the Magpies couldn't equalize, with St Pats winning 1-0.
At the same time our 12A's kicked off, hoping to finish their season off with a Grand Final win. The undefeated minor premiers played against Bosco, who they drew 0-0 and won 2-1 against during the season. Miranda won the first semifinal but borrowed a player for a 4th time, handing them a forfeit so had to beat Lilli Pilli in the second semi, winning 2-1 for another showdown with Bosco. It was a edge of your seat match, with both teams getting chances but no score saw the game go to extra time, with Miranda scoring with just seconds remaining to win our first Premiership of the year.
Our 16A's were also undefeated minor premiers by 16 points and they then took on Gymea in the Grand Final. Miranda played out a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 win during the season, also winning 2-0 in the first semi. The 16A's slotted home two early goals in the first 10 minutes and were never headed, winning 2-0 in the Grand Final for the Miranda Magpies second premiership.
The final match of the day saw our 18B's also taking on Gymea United. Gymea won 4-2 and 1-0 during the season and won the minor premiership by 9 points. But the Round 18 match saw Miranda thump them 3-0 and we knew something special was cooking. Miranda swept past Marton 4-1 in the first semi before coming from behind to beat Bosco 3-2 to make the Grand Final. The Magpies won the final 2-1 for an amazing season, giving Miranda a very likely two 18A's team next year, with our 16A's crowned champions and our 18B's also winning in their first year of 18's.
Sunday saw our AL3/2 take on arch enemy Bosco in the Grand Final. Bosco finished Minor Premiers and won 3-2, 3-0, 3-2 before the AL3/2's won 2-0 in Round 18. The Magpies beat St Pats 1-0 in the first semi final before thumping Miranda's AL3/1's by a whopping 6-1 to make the final. It was a fast paced and spiteful match, with cards flying everywhere in the first half, before Bosco scored first, before the Magpies slotted home 3 amazing goals in 17 minutes to lead 3-1 at the break. Bosco got a late goal to make the final 15 minutes interesting, but Miranda were simply too strong.
The final match saw our SWA1's play against arch rivals St Patricks. Miranda were undefeated minor premiers, winning by 11 points in the regular season. They defeated St Pats 3-0 and 4-1 before playing out a 0-0 draw. The Magpies pushed past them 3-0 in the first semi but St Pats won 1-0 against Bonnet Bay to give them another shot at glory. It has been labelled as one of the best womens matches, ever. St Pats lead early and went to the break 1-0, before Miranda equalized with a stunning free kick to make it 1-1. The game went to extra time and when St Patricks score with just 2 minutes remaining, many thought it was their year. But our Senior Women A1's never give up and a free kick near the halfway line was thundered over the head of the keeper and into the goal, with just seconds remaining on the clock. It finished 2-2 and Miranda won their 5th Premiership from 8 Grand Finals.
Congratulations to all of our 8 Grand Finalists, we're all so proud of you all.
Congratulations once more to our 12A's, 16A's, 18B's, SWA1's and AL3/2's for winning their Grand Finals. 2018 was an amazing year!
