Sarah Dicker’s goal was all that separated them and Flames in the minor semi-final after a scoreless 70 minutes.

It came about six minutes into the first 10-minute period after both sides had lost two players.

“I thought were played awesome,” Services captain-coach Kimmy McLean said.

“Everyone tried so hard and our passing was awesome.” 

She felt it was a pretty even game.

“There were patches when I felt we were all over them and patches when they were on top,” she said.

There were a few nervous moments late, she said.

Flames had a breakaway with about four minutes to go.

McLean hasn’t played a lot of extra-time, especially drop-off, but knew possession would be key.

“I just said to the girls ‘keep the ball, pass it around and make them run’,” she said.

After a couple of sub-standard performances, Sunday was a welcome return to form.

“The girls wanted to win,” McLean said.

She made particular mention of keeper Sophie Beavan.

She was stepping up from second grade, with regular keeper Michelle Collins injured.

“She was so nervous but she did an awesome job,” McLean said.

Flames were ruing some poor finishing.

“It was one of those days where we just paid the penalty for not putting the ball in the back of the net,” coach Barrie Pritchard said.

Three times from counter-attacks they would have had  one on ones with the goalkeeper where they never got the shot away.

“Apart from those three, we had three other great chances to tap the ball into the net,” Pritchard said.

They didn’t have a lot of field position in the first 10 minutes but defended well and weren’t really troubled.

“At the 12t-minute mark a midfield interception by Julie Rodda and a great 30-metre pass to an unmarked Tara Biffin gave a great one on one opportunity with the goalkeeper which was unconverted,” he said.

“We continued to put together some good attacking moves and opportunities in front of goal in the 33rd and 34th minutes for Kate Mackay which were narrowly missed.”

“The second half was nearly a replica of the first with poor field position early on, followed by solid attacking efforts with the midfield of Ash Allen, Tegan Smith and Maddie Doyle getting involved.” 

Biffin and Anna Green both had great opportunities but were unable to convert.

“Things got hectic in the final ten minutes with both teams pushing for that elusive goal,” Pritchard said.

Liz Brown was called on to make several good saves which she did to keep the score 0-all.

“In extra time you’ve got to be strong on possession – taking  players out of the game there’s a lot more space there,” he said.

They did have a good opportunity but just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.