IT was one hell of a match on Saturday, as the Camden Haven Redbacks Ladies team took on Port United at Dixie Park for a spot in the Grand Final.

The two teams had only met once before this season, in Round 2, with United coming away with the win that time.

Since that game, the Redbacks had remained undefeated, so this match was always going to be hotly contested.

United took control of the match early on, and the Redbacks found themselves defending heavily in the first half.

But with the best defensive record in the competition, the Redbacks were confident in their ability to hold United at bay.

Sally Hadlow was outstanding in the backs, pairing up with Tayla Heck, and at times Brittany Jolly, to ensure that United were shut down.

When United were able to get a shot off, Keeper Mya Wilson was outstanding between the sticks, making numerous incredible saves, and helping to keep the Redbacks in the game.

The Redbacks were able to apply their own pressure throughout the half, with the speed of Ella Mahoney causing United grief, ultimately resulting in a heavy tackle in the box that saw Mahoney temporarily sidelined through injury.

A little later, a back pass to the United keeper saw the Redbacks awarded a free kick, which Maria Wilson almost perfectly placed, with the ball gliding agonisingly just millimetres over the goal.

With neither side able to put points on the board, the unseasonable heat began to cause difficulties for both teams, with temperatures pushing 30 plus degrees.

As a result of the stifling conditions, Redbacks keeper Mya Wilson eventually collapsed under the heat.

As half-time was called, Wilson was able to begin cooling and rehydrating, and with a change in uniform was thankfully able to resume play in the second half.

The second half saw the Redbacks utilise a faster approach to subbing in an attempt to better manage the heat, with the Redbacks working hard after the break to control more of the game.

Captain Brittany Jolly, having shifted from midfield to defender to striker, found herself one-on-one with the keeper early in the second half, but a successful challenge from the United Keeper saw the ball go just wide, and scores locked at 0-0.

With neither side able to score, tensions began rising, but just ten minutes after the first opportunity, Jolly once again found herself one-on-one with the keeper, this time making no mistake, and placing the ball out of reach and into the back of the net for a crucial 1-0 lead for the Redbacks.

United came back strong, and threw everything they could at the Redbacks defence, but once again the combinations of the Redbacks backline and Wilson in goals meant that United just could not find the equaliser.

After what seemed an eternity, full time was finally called, with the Redbacks 1-0 victors, and off to the Grand Final!

The Redbacks will now take on Willawarrin in the Grand Final on Sunday at 12:40pm.

All Grand Final matches will take place in Lake Cathie.

By Redbacks INSIDER