Perth SC 2-1 Perth RedStar
By Ben Gilby
The Azzurri recorded a major victory over the defending NPLW WA champions at Dorrien Gardens thanks to an own goal and a strike from Jess Flannery in a game that saw all three goals scored in an nine minute spell.
Battles between these two sides always come down to small margins, and yesterday it was all about Perth’s game management as they saw out the game excellently to seal a win that puts six points between these perennial challengers for NPLW silverware.
Head coach Tom Glavovic made just one change from the starting line-up that were held by Subiaco last week, with Hannah Collins coming in for Lucy Hope.
RedStar started strongly and created the first two chances. With four minutes played, Abbey Woolley’s throw on the right fell for Jay Coleman who hit an effort over the top. Just over 10 minutes later, Dayle Schroeder produced a superb diving save to deny Lauren Continibali.
Perth SC settled and as the half approached the quarter hour mark began to assert themselves as an attacking threat. Jess Flannery’s pace and trickery on the left was a key part in this period.
The Azzurri hit the front with 20 minutes played when Sam Mathers’ corner on the right came in towards the near post and was headed into her own net by Quyen Doan.
Making the most of momentum in matches between these two sides is always vital to the outcome, and crucially, the home side grabbed a second just five minutes later.
The move started with Schroeder rolling the ball out and Perth advanced up the right for Mathers to lift a ball forward that bounced in the box between RedStar defenders for Flannery to send a first time strike into the right-hand corner of the net.
Mathers is having another excellent creative season for the Azzurri the link up play she offers, in addition to set-piece quality and potential in front of goal is something that will be key components of the team’s push for honours this campaign.
RedStar looked to respond, and Schroeder produced another great save to push over Continibali’s lofted shot.
Shortly afterwards, the visitors gained a life line as Jayna Ridley’s ball to the near post was met with a piece of great skill from Renee Leota who lifted a first time shot into the net.
Just before the interval, a cross in from the right produced a spectacular scissors volley from Violet Longmore, but Dal Busco held on.
Longmore was putting in another excellent shift for the Azzurri. For one so young to tidy up so calmly and expertly against such experienced opponents, as well as be an integral part of her side’s offensive play was extremely impressive.
The second half saw fewer out and out goal-scoring opportunities in an increasingly physical battle which saw RedStar’s Doan and Perth’s Maja Archibald both need spells of lengthy treatment after collisions.
Substitute Ruby Marshall showed great strength to hold off Andreia Teixeira in a superb battle to advance up the pitch and win a corner.
The visitors created two opportunities to equalise for Leota – first, a teasing free kick from Carla Bennett came in from the right which the 14 headed just wide, and then Woolley played a superb ball in which Leota put just wide.
Perth saw out the remaining minutes largely comfortably, marshalled by a strong and well organised defence. They had one opportunity to add to their lead with nine minutes remaining as Daisy McAllister broke free and hit a shot from the edge of the box that Dal Busco held.
This was a hugely important win earned by a hard working and skilful Azzurri side who did the key things that you have to do when playing RedStar – strike as often as you can when you have the momentum, and then stay focussed and measured in the face of any pressure that comes.
Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Nossent, McCartney, Boehm, Longmore, McAllister, Collins, Archibald, Flannery, Tana, Mathers. Substitutes: Ottobrino (for Marshall 90+4’), Marshall (for Tana 46’), Hannan (for Flannery 90’), Hope (for Nossent 81’), Cavill, Insch.
Scorers: Doan (OG) 20’, Flannery 25’.
PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Woolley, Bennett, Teixeira, Doan, Ridley, Continibali, Bellanca, Coleman, Leota, Carroll. Substitutes: Lornie (for Bellanca 76’), Monteiro, Finnegan, O’Donohoe, Devitt, Gray (for Continibali 76’).
Scorer: Leota 29’.