Balcatta to face MUM FC in State Cup final

Murdoch University Melville will face Balcatta in the Women’s State Cup final on Saturday 17 July following a thrilling semi-final double-header at Wormall Civil Stadium tonight.

MUM FC saw a 2-0 slip away before defeating Northern Redbacks 5-2 after extra-time, while it was more straightforward for Balcatta as they beat Fremantle City 2-0.

The final at Inglewood Stadium will be a repeat of this year Night Series decider, which Balcatta won 2-1.

There was little sign of the excitement to come when MUM FC and Redbacks went in at the break scoreless.

However, that quickly changed when Tia Stonehill tapped in Kat Jukic’s centre, and soon after Jukic headed home for the second.

Redbacks looked down but they were far from out and Larissa Walsh got them back in the game when she nodded in Lauren Continbali’s cross. And the game was sent into extra-time when Shawn Billam brilliantly picked out the top corner from the edge of the box.

To MUM FC’s credit, they dusted themselves down and regained the lead in the first period of extra time when Thalia Organ rounded the keeper before scoring.

In the second period the home side ran away with the tie. Organ got her second and Murdoch’s fourth from the penalty spot after she had been brought down. Then Jukic wrapped up a terrific game with a second of her own.

In the other semi-final, Christi Astorp gave Balcatta the lead before half-time. Then after the break Bolton Yangi made the game safe with a header.

The final will be part one of four games taking place at Inglewood Stadium.

The Men’s U18s State Cup will be between Bayswater City and Subiaco. Bayswater beat Perth SC 2-1 in the semi-final tonight, while Subi won on penalties against Sorrento after their match ended 1-1.

The Men’s U20s final will see Bayswater take on Sorrento. Bayswater were too strong for Mandurah City in their semi, winning 5-0, while Sorrento were victors in the penalty shoot-out this time following another 1-1 draw.

The Men’s State Cup finalists were decided last month with ECU Joondalup meeting Floreat Athena.

Filed Under: Women's State Cup