In a game where both teams shut each other down quickly, Balcatta were first on the score board. Kylie Chatto’s long-range shot flew past the Reds keeper Jen Jobling and reminded them why Chatto was contracted to the NTC and Western Waves the last few years. Redbacks equalised before half time after State Team and NTC Coach Nicola Williams took advantage of a neat exchange of passes at the top of the 18-yard box to slot home past Rene Forth.

Balcatta exchanged Forth at half time, into the attack, where she scored very early in the second half to put Balcatta 2-1 up. The Redbacks equalised with Lyndsey Jobling’s heading home from a corner and then took the lead 15 minutes from full time with a long-range shot from Rowena Caswell. Jobling is still recovering from a dislocated thumb two weeks ago from the game against Mandurah where they won 6-2, but this hasn’t slowed her down or kept her out of the line up.

Redbacks were trying to play their consistent passing game. Carys Hawkins, the team Captain, was “solid in defence,” again, according to Coach Tim Hodgson. The Reds hit the post with Balcatta’s J. Carley now in goals.

Balcatta are suffering without a regular goalkeeper which disrupts their forward line by having to change goalkeepers to give field players game time.  Coach Lisa Tana is also having the odd game in goals to give her players the most time on the field.

Coach Tim Hodgson says “We showed glimpses of  our passing game but generally not as fluid as it has been and at times were very poor.” Credit goes to Balcatta who shut them down and prevented to a large part, the Reds usual passing game.

From both of the goalkeepers points of view this game would have been one of the most entertaining to watch.  Something like the FA Cup on Saturday night! Two very different teams exhibiting their potential.

Queens Park were a world above Nedlands with some smooth passing, ball control and team play.  Stacey Learmont was the difference in the two sides as she easily took on the Nedlands defence with a smooth quick turn of pace and ran at the goalkeeper.

The new State Team Manager showed an unusually composed assortment of skills.  Learmont’s Father and Coach Steve Woodfin’s usual motivational speeches from the side had abated as Learmont led the team into a polished display of football that was completed with enough goals to pacify the usually boisterous coach. Learmont gave every defender across the Nedlands defense the same scenario of having to turn and face their own goal.  A pleasing sight for any attackers Coach to see.

Along with solid defending that was simply outpaced at times, TannerHoath in goals put in some important touches and positional play to deny Queens Park any easy goals.

Hardworking midfielders Emily Heller and Sarah Freedman excelled in their defensive and attacking duties, but Nedlands can see some extra work at training is required to practice their finishing skills against Premier teams of this calibre.  Having stepped up from mid first division table, Nedlands struggle is becoming less so as they are becoming used to the pace and skill required to play at this level.

Coach of Nedlands John Warrington was “pleased with the teams work rate and the way they stuck to their task against a very good team.”

Queens Park Coach Steve Woodfin rested Learmont at various times when she was straying into her own defense to retrieve balls, which gave the Nedlands defense a breather.  However Nedlands failure to consistently supply and convert balls through the solid Queens Park defense was always going to be difficult.

Hard working striker Nat Spyvee took advantage of some complacency at the back just before full time to make it 5-1. At full time there was clearly nothing left in the Nedlands tank after being asked to step up and give their 100% effort, all credit to their work rate against a potential league winning side.

Nedlands remain second from the bottom of the table without a win but having less goals scored against than Cockburn.

All results:
Mandurah 5 Cockburn 0 (Mandurah shared the goals amongst Mel Spillman, K.Brooker, Sam Gatenby, Mel Paschewitz and Skye McKenzie), Balcatta 2 Northern Reds 3, Subiaco 0, UWA 1, East Fremantle 3 Beckenham 1, Nedlands 1 Queens Park 5