A LAST-MINUTE stunner from Katie Thorn rescued a point for reigning champions Urunga in a pulsating 2-2 draw with a resurgent Coffs United Lionesses on Sunday night at the Coffs Coast Synthetics.
In the last minute of the Women’s Premier League match, Thorn danced across the Lionesses’ backline before curling a rocket into the top corner, salvaging a result for the Raiders and crushing hopes of a famous Coffs United upset.
Lily Mackay set the tone early, bursting down the right flank in the 14th minute and delivering a pinpoint cross for Ally Gadd to smash home the opener.
Urunga responded on the cusp of halftime.
After waves of pressure, Evie Kealy-Banks poked in the equaliser from close range to level the contest.
But the drama was only just beginning.
With the game inching towards a stalemate, Hadiya Aldakhi sliced through the Raiders’ defence with a deft run and slipped the ball through to Mackay, who hit it first time past the keeper — sending the Lionesses’ supporters into raptures.
Enter Thorn.
The Urunga playmaker, who has been in scintillating form this season, silenced the crowd with a solo moment of brilliance that underlined why the Raiders remain the benchmark.
And for Coffs United, a performance to build belief and momentum, even if the full reward just slipped away at the death.
Lionesses coach Nathan Silvy, reflected on the match.
“Tonight’s game was an outstanding contest between Coffs United Lionesses and Urunga FC,” he said.
“I felt we had the better of the first half, and we went into the break with the score level at 1-1.
“Urunga came out strong in the second half and put us under a lot of pressure, but we showed real grit in defence, getting behind the ball well and working hard to shut down their chances.
“We built up a well-constructed goal to take a 2-1 lead, a testament to the effort and teamwork on display.”
The Lionesses, unrecognisable from the side that was thumped 9-0 by Urunga earlier this season, looked set for a breakthrough win after a spirited performance – their best of the year.
While the draw ends Urunga’s four-match winning streak – a run in which they piled on 38 goals and conceded just once – it also serves as a timely warning that the gap is closing.
“Urunga showed exactly why they’re top of the table by continuing to push, and they managed to equalise in the final minute of the match.
“It was a fantastic game of football, with both teams having dominant spells at different stages.
“Lily Mackay was outstanding up front for us, contributing both an assist and a goal.
“Layla Oliver was rock-solid in defence and played a crucial role in holding back a strong Urunga attack.
“The effort and commitment from the entire squad tonight was outstanding, something we’ve been focusing on and are aiming to bring consistently to every game.”
By David WIGLEY
