Three goals in four first-half minutes were enough to seal victory for Beckenham Angels over a youthful NTC in the Bankwest Women’s State League at Celebration Park on Sunday.
Report by Rachel Collier Perth Glory Women midfielder Shannon May put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute with a looping header into the top corner which left Young Matildas keeper Gabby Dal Busco with no chance.
The second goal soon followed as Beckenham picked up the pace and pushed forward.
This time it was May’s Glory teammate Marianna Tabain who chipped the keeper with one of her trademark long-range efforts to make it 2-0 to the away side in the 39th minute.
NTC had another unfortunate lapse in concentration, despite a solid opening performance, and Beckenham were able to take full advantage.
It was Tabain again, who this time side-footed the ball into the top-left corner to make it 3-0 at the break.
In spite of a resilient effort from the NTC players, the score remained the same but could have been worse if Tabain’s 70th minute long-range shot had been on target.
After claiming all three points Beckenham leapfrog NTC into third place on the ladder, however NTC coach Jessine Bonzas remained positive.
“I thought that in the first 38 minutes we were fantastic and we matched them all over the park,” she said.
“It was just those last few minutes in the first half where we just lost a few answers and just stopped believing in ourselves a little bit.”
“It’s results like this where you learn a lot about yourselves as a team and that can only be a good thing for this young squad. We will continue learning and improving and that is our main focus.”
NTC U19s 0
Beckenham Angels 3 ( Shannon MAY 38, Marianna TABAIN 39, 42)
Venue: Celebration Park, Balga
Kick Off: 12.30pm
Referee: A. Paraskeuas
NTC U19s: 1. Gabrielle DAL BUSCO, 2. Angelique STANNETT, 3. Steffi DADILO, 4. Alyssa VAN HEULCK, 5. Georgina TEAKLE, 6. Ellie LA MONTE, 7. Shauni REIO, 8. Abbey MEAKINS, 9. Roisin CONNOLLY, 10. Sarah KENNY, 11. Emily HENDERSON, 12. Liana COOK, 13. Georgia DONALDSON, 14. Cassandra HARVEY, 15. Alexia MORENO, 18. Erika CHILCOTT
Beckenham Angels: 1. Kate BURNS, 3. Annique KEISLER, 4. Jess LINDQUIST, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Roxy DODDS, 7. Janelle ST PIERRE, 8. Jamie LEE-GALE, 9. Danielle CALAUTTI, 10. Kathryn CONROY, 11. Leigha BULLOCK, 12. Stephanie CAIN, 14. Lindsey KENYON, 15, Andrea PREIATO, 16. Katarina JUKIC, 17. Marianna TABAIN
Reference: Football West