Castle Hill United booked their spot in the 2019 Hills Cup Final, defeating Kellyville Kolts 3-2 in a tight affair on Tuesday night at Fred Caterson Reserve.
It was a battle between second and third-placed sides on the Premier League ladder, respectively, for a spot in the 2019 Hills Cup Final, with both teams eager to edge closer to winning silverware.
The Kolts managed to overcome Norwest PYL, Glenhaven PYL, and Glenhaven PL to reach the semi-final, while United’s cup run included victories over Norwest AA4’s, Baulkham Hills PL and North Rocks PYL.
Right from the start, Kellyville began to take control of the match as United struggled to leave their own half.
The traveling side took the lead in the 13th minute.
Nice build-up play down the middle of the field saw Hamish Callaghan place his shot into the bottom right corner to lead proceedings.
It was the wake-up call Castle Hill desperately needed, as they began to open the game up creating chances, but lacked a finishing touch.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 20th minute.
A dangerous corner was whipped high into the six yard box and Connor Holmes jumped highest with a header to level the scorings.
Just as things looked bright for the home side, it was Kellyville again who snatched the lead again in the 27th minute.
A scramble in the box fell kindly to Hamish Callaghan, who got his double to give Kellyville the advantage.
Two minutes later, Callaghan was just inches away from a first half hat-trick, as he cut from the right flank onto his left foot, only for his shot to hit the post.
The drama in the first half did not stop as United scored an equaliser.
Michael French knew that Kellyville had troubles clearing corner set pieces, as he whipped in a cross from a corner that went directly to goal to get the fourth goal of the half.
United then had a chance to take the lead heading into the break, as a free kick shot from 30 yards was scrambled by the Kellyville keeper but was later defended out as the scores were level heading into the sheds.
The second half started similar to the first, with Kellyville testing out the United defense and controlling most of the possession.
A Kolts counter attack was almost rewarded in the 61st minute, however Castle Hill goalkeeper Joel Baker was able to tip the ball over for a corner.
In the 68th minute, the home side almost grabbed the lead.
A perfectly floated cross from the right flank was met with the head of Michael French, however the ball skimmed over the bar.
Kellyville’s best chance in the second half came in the 71st minute. Three consecutive shots were blocked by the resilient United defence as the home side prevented the Kolts from taking the lead.
With just under ten minutes to play, a penalty was awarded to Castle Hill.
Michael French was pulled down inside the 18 yard box, with Matt Hull placing his shot from 11 yards, into the bottom right corner to take the lead for the first time.
Kellyville tried desperately to find an equaliser, but the home side stood firm at the back to qualify for 2019 Hills Cup Final, as the team song bellowed across the ground.
Castle Hill will now face the winner of North Rocks PL and Winston Hills PL for a chance to win the Hills Cup for consecutive years.
On Saturday, Castle Hill host Glenhaven while Kellyville are away to Rouse Hill.
