FOOTBALL
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The memory of a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out loss last season will inspire Albion Park to go one better in this year's State Cup decider.
Park went down to local rivals Tarrawanna in a gut-wrenching final 12 months ago, but can redeem themselves when they meet Brookvale at Blacktown Sports Park on Sunday.
The high-flying Illawarra outfit have already overcome the Blueys in their march to the decider and will use last year's experience to advantage on match day.
"We really had to dig deep and keep going all through extra time," Park's Jaylene Cusack said.
"We were really down when we lost because the penalty shoot-out is a bad way to lose.
"We want to reverse that this year and take the title."
Park have rarely been troubled on their way to the final, beating Waverley Old Boys 5-0, Sydney University 2 FC 4-0, University of NSW 5-1 and Tarrawanna 6-2 in the semi-final.
The outstanding Cup form has been mirrored in the League, where Park sit top of the ladder with just one loss all season.
"We are working a lot harder this year than we did last year," Cusack said.
"Our team is a lot more like a family than it was."
The Illawarra will also be represented by Lake Heights and Woonona (under 13), Wollongong Olympic (under 14) and Shellharbour (girls under 14 and under 16).