Bankwest Women’s State League Premier Division champions Queens Park put on an impressive first half performance to collect another three points after beating Melville City 3-0 at Coker Park on Sunday.
Report by Rachel Collier
Queens Park, who finished top of the table last season, sit in third place, eight points behind league-leaders Northern Redbacks.
In recent weeks Queens Park have put together a good run of form and their confidence was clear to see as they put on an accomplished first half performance against a shell shocked Melville.
After a dominant opening period, Queens Park turned their possession into goals. The first came in the 15th minute and set the tone for the first half.
Influential captain Nikki Campbell whipped in a corner to the near post, which was met by the run of Brooke Johnston, who calmly headed home to give Queens Park the advantage.
Only minutes later Johnston was again causing havoc bagging her second goal of the game in emphatic fashion.
She was played in by Georgina Kent and beautifully lobbed the stranded Melville keeper from 27m, to make the score 2-0 in the 22nd minute.
Johnston proved a constant threat, which Melville failed to stifle on countless occasions. Not content with a first half brace, Johnston then turned provider.
The Queens Park number nine skipped past two players and played a perfect low cross to the back post, which Katie Schubert slid home, to make it 3-0 in the 32nd minute.
With the half time break came a turn in the tide. The young guns of Melville came out blazing and corrected their first half failings.
They limited Queens Park to half chances denying their ability to play free flowing football which lit up the first half.
Melville coach Tony Carvajal was impressed with his sides improved display.
“We came out in the second half as a much more aggressive force. We defended hard and fought well in midfield without creating any clear cut chances,” he said.
“In the first half we were over-run but our fight back and determination was great. We stopped their dominance and attack whilst trying to play.
“We have a young side with some 15 and 16 year old players and there is so much potential for this team going forward.”
Queens Park could have a big say in the league title race when they take on second-placed Beckenham Angels at Coker Park on Sunday 23rd August, 3pm.
Meanwhile Melville travel to Gumblossom Park to face Quinns FC.
Queens Park 3 (JOHNSTON 15′ 22′ SCHUBERT 32′)
Melville City 0
Coker Park, Queens Park
Sunday 16th August 2015 – 3pm
Referee: M. Divers
Queens Park: 1. Maya DIEDERICHSEN, 2. Helene BORDAS, 3. Rebecca DICARLO, 4. Janelle CUTHBERTSON, 6. Monique GORDON, 7. Brittany WOODFIN, 8. Stacey LEARMONT, 9. Brooke JOHNSTON, 10. Nikki CAMPBELL, 12. Natasha RIGBY, 13. Georgina KENT, 24. Adel JACKSON, 27. Katie SCHUBERT, 28. Jessica DARMAGO, Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Melville City: 1. Evie GOOCH, 2. Shannon TURNER, 8. Emma YLIAS, 9. Jenny HOMES, 11. Raffi WALTMAN, 12. Lucy GERM, 14. Kathryn RILEY, 15. Laura WALTMAN, 18. Taylor MAGUIRE, 19. Caroline BRADY, 20. Issy BRIDGER, 25. Zoe YAO, 29. Julia KAGIANNIS, 35. Gabrielle WALKER, 37. Siobhan LONGMORE
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
footballwest.com.au