Photo courtesy Vince Caratozzolo
Angels win Women’s State Cup
Beckenham Angels claimed the Women’s State Cup with a 3-1 victory over Football West’s National Training Centre, with Katarina Jukic scoring all four goals in a thrilling final at Grindleford Reserve on Sunday.
Report by Rachel Collier
Photos: Vince Caratozzolo
Jukic, who won player of the match, put the opposition 1-0 up early in the game.
“As soon as I scored the own goal I knew I had to make up for it,” she said.
“We dug deep fought to the finish and I’m elated we’ve lifted the cup.”
The Beckenham starlet opened the scoring for her opponents in the 2nd minute, following an early NTC free kick.
The striker poked the ball home to leave herself and teammates stunned.
The Angels rallied and it wasn’t long before Jukic redeemed herself.
A cross from the right by Roxy Dodd caused NTC keeper Gabby Dal Busco problems and left the incoming Jukic an open goal to head home from 3m in the 14th minute.
With the scores level at 1-1, both teams had chances to capitalise, but it was again Jukic who made the difference.
Captain Lindsey Kenyon whipped in a corner from the left, which Jukic powerfully headed home, to make the score 2-1 in the 39th minute.
With halftime came fresh optimism for NTC who had given a very good account of themselves in the first half, however, Beckenham and Jukic came out firing with their third goal in the third minute of the second half.
The goal was a carbon copy of the second, with Kenyon again crossing a corner in from the left, which Jukic headed into the back of the net, rounding out the days scoring and completing her hat-trick of headers.
NTC showed great character, skill and tenacity, however, they were limited to long range efforts and failed to mount significant threats on the Beckenham goal.
When referee Sam Musca blew his final whistle emotional scenes erupted.
Coach Jason Washington-King said how much it meant for his side to collect the silverware, after narrowly missing out on the Bankwest Women’s State League Premier Division title.
“It’s been a long hard season, we played in the night series and got smashed,” he said.
“We won nineteen games in a row in the league and lost our second to last game to miss out on the title by a point, so I guess this is a special reward for the players it’s nice to win and I’m proud of the team.
“NTC are such a good team and I think next season they will be even better. Credit to them today. You can’t have a good game without two good teams,” said Washington-King.
NTC coach Jessine Bonzes was delighted with her side’s achievements this season.
“The team have done outstanding this season. Even to be here is an magnificent achievement,” she said.
“They’ve played consistently all season as they continue to improve week in week out and as a development side that’s what we want.
“All credit to the team today they played well and did me proud.”
Beckenham Angels midfielders Shannon May and Marianna Tabain have both been influential throughout the season, however, Westfield W-League commitments for Perth Glory and Melbourne City respectively, meant that both players missed out.
The Westfield W-League kicks off on Saturday, October 17.
Beckenham Angels 3 (JUKIC 14′ 39′ 48′)
U19 NTC 1 (OG 2′)
Grindleford Reserve, Balcatta
Sunday, September 27
Kick off: 3.00pm
Referee: Sam Musca
Beckenham Angels: 1. Kate BURNS, 2. Danielle JEANS, 3. Annique KEISLER, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Roxy DODD, 7. Janelle ST PIERRE, 8. Jamie-Lee GALE, 9. Danielle CALAUTTI, 10. Kathryn CONROY, 11. Eleanor BATES, 12. Stephanie CAIN, 14. Lindsey KENYON, 15. Andrea PREIATO 16. Katarina JUKIC
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil
U19 NTC: 1. Gabby DAL BUSCO, 2. Angelique STANNETT, 3. Steffi NADILO, 6. Ellie LAMONTE, 7. Shauni REID, 8. Abbey MEAKINS, 9. Roisin CONNOLLY, 10. Sarah KENNY, 11. Emily HENDERSON, 12. Liana COOK, 13. Georgia DONALDSON, 14. Cassandra HARVEY, 15. Lexie MORENO, 17. Maddy SCHOFIELD, 18. Erika CHILCOTT, 20. Nadia HARVEY
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Cards: nil
footballwest.com.au