Northern Redbacks celebrate their cup win.

Northern Redbacks collected their sixth Women’s State League Cup after beating Melville City 2 -0 at Princess Road Reserve on Sunday.

Redbacks, who are current Bankwest Women’s State League leaders by a point, cruised to victory courtesy of goals from Ellis Glanfield and Nicola Williams, who also won the Sandra Brentnall medal for best player.

Redbacks coach Tim Hodgson applauded the challenge Melville set but felt his side dominated play in the second half and the pressure paid off.

“Once we got that first goal we relaxed a bit and started playing the football that we are capable of,” he said.

Hodgson said their focus was now on the league as they have to play two tough games in three days.

“If we play to our ability we can be a great side and come out on top. But if we have lapses we can easily be punished, as we nearly saw today.”

A defensive error gave Melville an early opportunity to score six minutes in but Laura Waltman’s shot flew past the left post.

They came close again four minutes later following a great corner from Penelope Llayton but they couldn’t capitalise on a goalkeeper fumble.

Redbacks quickly countered and Larissa Walsh’s shot from the right narrowly skimmed the crossbar.

They had some glimpses of great unity and Renee Leota nearly headed the ball into the goal in the 37th minute but a brilliant save from Evie Gooch kept the scores even until halftime.

Two minutes after the break Raphaella Waltmans almost broke the deadlock with a free shot on goal but the desperate Redbacks defence managed to scramble the ball out.

The began to dominate possession and in the 54th minute Glanfield’s spectacular overhead scissor kick from Larissa Roach’s cross put them ahead.

This lit Redbacks fire and five minutes later they doubled their score. Williams’ prime position in front of goal paid off after a corner kick and she slid the ball past Gooch.

But Melville kept up the hunt and in the 68th minute Lyons guided a powerful header into the box but Kathryn Riley headed over.

A last ditch effort from Melville five minutes from time saw Waltman’s great long range shot parried by Kathleen Waycott but the Redbacks defence knocked the ball to safety.

This is Melville’s second year in the top flight and coach Tony Carvajal said the young players really took the challenge to the Redbacks.

“It was a pretty tight tussle and I’ve got so much respect for the opposition, they are a fantastic footballing side,” he said.

“We have a lot of young girls in our side who are learning to play and Redbacks cutting edge in front of goal made a difference.

“But we never gave up and I can’t be more proud of what they’ve done this year – we are only going to get better.

Northern Redbacks 2 (Ellis GLANFIELD 55’, Larissa WILLIAMS 60’)
Melville City 0
Sunday 7th September, 2014
Princess Road Reserve, Balga
Attendence: 100
Kick Off: 3pm
Referee: Mark Williams
Assistant Referees: Ian Fisher, Ian Bendish

Northern Redbacks: 1. Kathleen WAYCOTT, 2. Emily DUNN, 3. Larissa WALSH, 4. Nicola WILLIAMS, 5. Amy KNIGHTS, 6. Rita MANKOWSKA, 7. Lauren RILEY, 8. Hope SHEPHERD, 9. Melanie DOEGLAS, 10. Rebecca DAVIES, 11. Glanfield ELLIS, 12. Haylee RICHARDS, 14. Renee LEOTA, 15. Chloe ALAGA, 16. Georgia HARRIS, 17. GEORGIA BRITTAN.

Melville City: 1. Evie GOOCH, 9. Jenny HOMES, 6. Carolyn HOMES, 20. Issy BRIDGER, 27. Siobhan CONGMORE, 2. Kelsey LYONS, 28. Penelope LLAYTON, 15. Laura WALTMAN, 36. Emma YLIAS, 10. Steph SIMMONDS, 13. Evie MARCHETTI, 38. Taylor MAGUIRE, 4. Sarah ELFORD, 32. Caroline BRADY, 11. Raphaella WALTMANS, 14. Kathryn RILEY.