Fremantle City 3-0 Balcatta Etna
by Ella McShane at the Sam Kerr Football Centre for Impetus (30/8/25)
Above: Fremantle City lift the Western Australian State Cup earlier today. Photo: Ella McShane for Impetus.
Fremantle City claimed their first Western Australian State Cup today with victory over Balcatta Etna at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Goals from Annabelle Leek (penalty), Sophie Meaden, and Leyna Wood ensured that the Port City side ended their season on a high, despite missing out on Top Four Cup action.
Freo came into this game having won nine of their last 12 games in league and cup, but still Balcatta had denied them a top four finish in the NPLW WA. Sam Geddes’ team were fully motivated to ensure that their superb run of form in the second half of the season got some reward.
This was a thrilling showdown where determination and grit were much in evidence. It was Balcatta who had the best of the early exchanges, and just five minutes in, Alyssa van Heurck struck a clear warning sign with a shot that forced a superb diving save from Fremantle City goalkeeper Megan Phillips.
Balcatta’s efforts to build carried a sustainable optimism ,with Fremantle’s strong but fleeting attacks on the counter a reminder that they too offered a threat.
Balcatta’s dominance continued to grow as they continued to control the midfield, prompting superb saves from Phillips.
The tide turned in the latter stages of the half for the port side when Mia Yeo’s excellent read of the play enabled her to break through the hitherto organised Balcatta defence. Called to action, Etna’s keeper Rebecca Bennett smothered the ball just enough to ward of danger.
Building on the momentum, Yeo made yet another spectacular charge up the centre a mere minute later. In a direct parallel to her previous chance, Yeo hit a shot from inside the left hand side of the box only for it to agonisingly be denied by the crossbar.
With Freo’s threat building, in the heat of the moment, Balcatta defender Zoee Spadano committed a handball in the box, resulting in a penalty being awarded. Captain Annabelle Leek stepped up to the penalty spot and secured Fremantle the lead with composure.
After the break, Fremantle continued to build on their attacking momentum and their efforts were rewarded just six minutes into the second half.
Abbey Green sent a screaming cross towards Fremantle’s favourable goal that was defended brilliantly by Balcatta with three shots cleared off the line, but Sophie Meaden was on hand to deservedly double the port city side’s lead, effortlessly tapping the goal into the bottom of the net.
As the half progressed, Balcatta steadied the ship and began to balance out the control of midfield once more.
However, Etna’s defence was kept on high alert throughout the half, notably when Leyna Wood made a surging run down the pitch, threatening Bennett’s goal. However, Bennett’s calm read of the threat neutralised danger with composure.
Wood continued to press, and in the 84th minute, her persistence paid off. Striding into the right-hand side of the box, the American’s initial shot was met by Bennett’s block. But Wood was quick to react, pouncing on the rebound and volleying the ball into the net to seal the historic 3-0 victory for Fremantle City with her 20th goal of the season.
Check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball for video from the game courtesy of Ella McShane and Max Parris.
Teams: FREMANTLE CITY: Phillips, Spencer, Poad, Osborne, Leek, Kiama, Meaden, Reynolds, Wood, Green, Yeo. Substitutes: Ireland, Trueman, Siah, Lush, Mayoe, Healy.
Scorers: Leek (pen) 40’, Meaden 51’, Wood 84’.
BALCATTA ETNA: Bennett, Foletta, Spadano, Davis, Murray, Jarvis, Marwick, Van Heurck, Cook, Gale, Meakins. Substitutes: Duncanson, Hargreaves, Britton, Gama, St Pierre, Comito.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 