THE Woolgoolga Wildcats, who finished a distant fifteen points behind the Coffs City United Lionesses in the regular season, have proved that anything can happen in knockout football.

In a match that will be remembered for years, the Wildcats clawed their way to a 4-3 victory after extra time over their Coffs rivals to book a berth in the Women’s HIT 105.5 North Coast Premier League Grand Final.

When Ally Gadd sliced through the Woolgoolga defence to give the Lionesses a commanding 3-1 lead in the 68th minute, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Woolgoolga.

But the Wildcats’ vocal travelling supporters never wavered, urging their team on with every touch of the ball.

Their faith was rewarded in the 77th minute when Tash Mackie produced a moment of pure magic, smashing in a free kick from 25 yards to bring Woolgoolga back into the contest at 3-2.

The Lionesses, desperate to regain control, were denied by a series of heroic goal-line saves from Wildcats keeper Abby Nudd, whose last-ditch efforts kept her team alive.

As time dwindled, the Wildcats threw caution to the wind, pushing players forward in search of an equaliser.

Their persistence paid off when Tash Mackie once again stepped up, heading home to level the score at 3-3, sending the match into extra time and the Woolgoolga faithful into raptures.

With just minutes left in extra time, it was Chloe Webb, the proverbial fox in the box, who danced her way through the Lionesses’ defence to fire home the winner.

The Wildcats supporters erupted as their team booked a place in the Grand Final, where they will face the Urunga Raiders at 4:45pm on Saturday 7 September.

By David WIGLEY