Penny TannerHoath takes a look at the Smarter than Smoking Woman's Premier League for round six

Sylvia Flynn’s composure ten minutes before full time was all that separated these two sides.  Both are languishing near the bottom of the table and trying to prove they have improved under their respective coaches. Neither Coach could be unhappy with the efforts from Sundays game. Both Coppens and Warrington had words on the sideline, which reflected the closeness of and intensity in the game.

The Nedlands defense supervised by Centre Back Katy Rutter was on continual alert as Beckenham played the ball from side to side confidently. Jaimie Gale in Beckenham's midfield was playing some nice balls to supply the forward line and Tanner Hoath had a fair bit more to do in the first half than the second.

Nedlands displayed some flowing football that Coach John Warrington would be pleased was a result of hard work at training.  The team did all the right moves with overlapping wing backs Christie O’Reilley, Grace Kooperman and Liz Patillo rampaging up and down and causing the Beckenham defense consistent problems.

American import Emily Heller had her best game for Nedlands distributing the ball from the midfield out to the overlapping wing backs. Sarah Freedman was stirling in her defensive capacities and nullified to a large degree Beckenhams Claire Wragg, who is always a threat with shots from long distance.

Ash Harlings accidental handball one minute before half time gave Beckenham their clearest opportunity to put the first goal on the board.  Claire Wragg stepped up and confidently placed her penalty shot into the right hand corner.  TannerHoath calculated right and at full stretch was able to block the shot and scoop it out as the referee blew for half time.

In the second half Beckenham responded to Coach Coppens words and really stepped up the pace. The team used their substitutes wisely where Nedlands could not and were wearing down Nedlands midfield and defense simply by switching the ball and using their wings.

The game still flowed easily from end to end with young State keeper Kristy Terschinski putting some great disposals down the field for her team and showing some safe hands. It looked like either team could score from any of the end to end attacking movements, but Beckenham to be fair were putting more on target. Kaila Coppens in Beckenhams central defense was putting a foot into all the right tackles and giving terrier like forward Nat Spyvee no change.

With three defenders working well together at the other end, Katy Rutter called the defense up but the referee wasn’t in agreement, leaving the Beckenham midfield to break through unchallenged. Tanner Hoath did well to block the first shot, but the ball rebounded and amongst calls for the defense to react to assist the stranded goalkeeper, Sylvia Flynn took her time and chipped the advancing keeper with no resistance. The game ended 1 nil to Beckenham.

It was a match with few chances created as both teams worked hard to stop any attacking play.  Second placed UWA and fifth placed East Fremantle have only a handful of goals scored and one more lost game to separate them
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The first half saw UWA shade East Fremantle with the lions share of posession and control the game without creating any clear chances. Golden boot contender and regular goal shooter Katarina Jukic was endeavouring to find a way through but was being denied another goal by a tight UWA defense.

Canadian student Magalie Kolker, a regular goal scorer for UWA, chalked up the only goal of the match after beating her marker and slipping the ball low into the corner of the net.

The second half saw East Fremantle up the tempo and start to dominate posession. They were first to every ball and created numerous chances.  Stand in keeper Julie Ophel was all that stood between the East Fremantle winger and a certain equaliser.

Play became heated and the referee started brandishing yellow cards for some hard challenges. Both sets of supporters became vocal but credit to them as things were kept in the spirit of the game.

UWA weathered the East Fremantle storm and started to get back on the front foot. With minutes remaining they almost made it two with former East Fremantle player Jaime Blake just missing from a Magalie Kolker cut back.

The game ended 1-0 and consolidated UWA's position in the top three.

Full results for the round:
Cockburn 1 Balcatta 5, Northern Redbacks 3 Subiaco 1, UWA 1 East Fremantle 0, Beckenham 1 Nedlands 0, Queens Park 5 Mandurah 1

Penny TannerHoath, The World Football Programme 107.9FM