Thistles score at vital moment

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EXTRA-time hero Rebecca Cuthbert revealed she had a willing mind but a reluctant body during her team’s incredible Reserve grade grand final victory.

Cuthbert scored the winning goal in the fourth period of drop-offs to secure Thistles an amazing 1-0 win over Hancocks.

Both teams were down to three players when Cuthbert mustered some energy in the heat to end the epic 91-minute contest.

“I’m very exhausted,” Cuthbert said leaving the field on Saturday.

“I was telling my legs to hurry up but they just wouldn’t.”

Cuthbert was thrilled she contributed to a determined team (pictured right).

“They all played really well – gave 110% the whole way,” she said, having scored eight goals in the regular season.

“That (the grand final goal) was the most important and best one.”

The Reserve grade victory meant so much more as it was Thistles’ second for the day, after having two teams in the junior finals the week before.

Long-serving Thistles club president Pauline Alchin managed the Reserve grade side, having played in the club’s winning A2 side the night before.

That match also went to extra time with Emma Johnson scoring in the 21st minute of three-on-three drop-offs to give Thistles a 2-1 success.

“A2 are always known for drop-offs,” Alchin said.

“Both (Thistles) wins were exactly the same – down to three players.”

The Thistles A2 team finished second behind Wests going into the grand final.

“I’d never got down to three. It was actually a killer but we all came together,” she said.

Alchin was thrilled with Thistles’ success as a club.

“Out of six teams, we had five in finals,” she said.

“Our young kids are really coming through this year. We doubled the number of teams.”

The Reserve grade success was helped by having experienced Vellacott sisters Kerri and Lauren leading the way.

Thistles coach Wayne Follett was glowing with excitement after watching his team come from fourth to win the big one.

“The last five games were probably the best they’ve played,” Follett said, having coached the team for the first time.

“They never gave up.

“For 30 weeks we’ve been together. I think we had one week off and the week off did us the world of good.”