Chapman Valley beat Northampton by single point in Great Northern Women’s Football League thriller

Chapman Valley put on an exciting show to beat Northampton in the Great Northern Women’s Football League by a point on Saturday.

The Royals kicked 4.8 (32) to defeat the Rams, who had 5.1 (31), by the slenderest margin in a game that had a packed crowd at the WA Country Builders Stadium on their feet.

Valley president Grant Woodhams said it was a “fantastic advertisement for football”, and particularly the women’s game.

“We play very different styles of football and they come together to produce these close results,” he said.

“It was a relief to get it over the line and be straight through and able to rest everybody up.

“Neither team would have expected to leave anything on the park, and I don’t think either did.

“We’re happy.”

Tiani Teakle was Northampton’s best player, along with her sister Julia and Mikenna Schultz.

Tiani Teakle, Katie Croston, Hannah Trusso, Torri Poletti and Hayley Halton scored goals.

Each team looked strong in the centre, Schultz going toe-to-toe with Valley’s Erica Trotter, and both refusing to back down in the tackle.

Trotter was a commanding presence in the middle, delivering long-range passes into Northampton’s danger area and giving nothing up.

Young Valley star Tayah Palmer showed skill and composure to score a handful of well-crafted goals from sharp angles.

The match started well, with both teams applying pressure and Valley getting the first points on the board before Valley went into the break leading by eight points with the Rams scoreless.

Northampton had their moments and increased the pressure a few minutes into the second quarter.

They had turned the score around by half time and went in five points ahead.

Valley came back hard after the break, with Palmer scoring early from around 30m out and Samantha Williamson adding another goal.

It looked like anyone’s game in the last quarter, with the Rams applying the pressure.

Trotter was strong in the mark and delivered the ball well to the front line, leading from the middle.

Valley now go through to the grand final while Northampton have a second chance next weekend against Towns.