Perth SC 4-1 Perth RedStar
Report by Ben Gilby with photos from Rob Lizzi (8/9/24)
Above: Ella Lincoln celebrates in style after putting Perth SC 2-1 ahead yesterday. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC came from behind with a powerful second-half performance which enabled them to defeat Perth RedStar and win their first-ever State Cup.
It was RedStar who gained a slight period of ascendancy just after the 10-minute mark. It began with Caitlin Doeglas storming up the left and curling a pass into the path of Olivia Wood to enter the area, but Thew read the danger excellently.
Yet just over five minutes later, Doeglas was involved again with a different outcome. The former Perth Glory picked up the ball inside her own half and laid a pass back to Sakairi. The Japanese midfielder played an excellently executed high ball through to Wood who let it bounce before firing a half-volley into the net from the edge of the box.
Momentum and taking chances when they come are always the keys to getting a result against RedStar, and the Azzurri were able to achieve both immediately after conceding.
Kim McCartney’s free-kick on the right-hand side, parallel with the penalty spot came across, Marshall’s initial header was blocked, but an exchange of passes involving Wainwright and then a one-two between Daisy McAllister and Marshall ended with the latter slotting home to level the scores.
Perth now began to take control, with Tijan McKenna hugely influential in the centre of midfield, spraying around some excellent on-point passing and putting in some crucial tackles. This allied with the ability around her of Wainwright and McAllister began to nullify RedStar’s high press defence with their footwork and quick passing ability.
With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Lincoln gained possession at the by-line and held off the challenge of Doan to feed McAllister, who in turn fed Mathers in space on the right-hand edge of the box. The former MUM FC player hit a shot that Dal Busco got a hand to, and in agonising slow motion gradually trickled wide of the left-hand post for a corner after looking like rolling in for so long. It remained 1-1 at the break.
Perth had the first chance of the second 45 when McAllister found Lincoln who broke into the box to go one-on-one with Dal Busco, but her shot could only find the side netting.
There was then a six-minute delay as the sprinklers spontaneously came on, with no-one seemingly able to turn them off. Eventually, when play could get back underway, it was the Azzurri who remained on top.
With 20 minutes to play, Nossent found Marshall out on the right. Teixeira initially cleared, but only as far as McCartney on the right who fed Mathers centrally outside the box in space. After playing a one-two with McKenna, Teixeira was beaten and a low pass found Lincoln to fire home before celebrating with a stunning double backflip as the Azzurri led.
Danielle Brogan’s side were calm under pressure, the passing became even more crisper, elaborate and ever more accurate. Wainwright stepped up her level once more, with her footwork and vision a joy to behold. All of this was duly rewarded with 15 minutes of regular time remaining with the Azzurri being awarded a corner on the left and Mathers curling an Olimpico into the net.
There were still opportunities for Carlos Vega Mena’s side to grab a lifeline as Doeglas had three excellent chances. First, with seven minutes remaining, she powered a shot just wide before seeing a curled effort held by Stacey Cavill. Then, deep into stoppage time, she lifted a shot over the top from inside the box.
The Azzurri fittingly had the last word when substitute Cassidy gained possession along the left and squared a pass for Wainwright to thump home for 4-1.
This was an impressive performance from Perth SC which enabled them to lift only the second piece of silverware in their women’s team’s history. However, looking ahead with these two sides facing each other at least once more in the coming weeks during the Top Four Cup, Perth RedStar will have an immediate opportunity to put things right when they face off again next weekend.
More of Rob Lizzi’s photography from the State Cup Final
Teams: PERTH SC: Cavill, Bohm, Thew, Nossent, McCartney, Wainwright, McAllister, McKenna, Marshall, Mathers, Lincoln. Substitutes: Harvey, Cassidy, Johnston, Insch, Hannan, Ottobrino, Atkinson (GK).
Scorers: Marshall 18’, Lincoln 69’, Mathers 75’, Wainwright 90+3.
PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Doan, Teixeira, Woolley, Anderson, Carroll, Kagami, Sakairi, Ridley, Wood, Doeglas. Substitutes: Ritchie, Continibali, Odonohoe, Leota, Bellanca, Arai.
Scorers: Wood 16’.
Referee: Jasmine Bremner.
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