FUTSAL WA

R14 – Women’s Supa-Liga, 2021/22 Summer Season

Featured Match Review

This weekends featured match review involves the Western Devils and the Northern Hawks. Both sides were looking to build on their rivalry wins from the previous week, with plenty still at stake leading up to the finals. The Hawks started the weekend in second position but anything less than the required three points would mean they could slip back down to fourth at the end of the round. The Devils came into the match with confidence, having built up a small gap at the top of the table. The squads were looking strong and full on either side of the court, and with differing preferred styles of play, it was bound to be an intriguing match.

The match started off as a bit of a tug-of-war with both teams trying to gauge each others tactics, whilst ironing out their own. As the match went on, Western Devils FC began to create a few good chances, forcing smart saves off Karla Edwards. The Hawks were also creating through some quick counter-attacks, Ruby Cohen coming close with a one on one. Becky Musial showing why she is one of the leagues best keepers, with an important save. It took until the very last minute of the half for a breakthrough. Ruby Cohen on the end of a corner kick blasted it low and hard into the bottom left corner of the goal, giving the Hawks the lead going into the break.

The Hawks now had something to defend, and elected to sit in their defensive shape to start the second half, frustrating the Devils with each passing minute. Hawks again managed to create chances on the counter-attack but Musial remained stubborn in making sure they didn’t extend their lead. After frustrating the Devils for the majority of the match, a moment of brilliance in the 14th minute of the half turned the tides. Western Devils FC were awarded a free kick 8 metres out on an angle in their right flank. Penelope Clayton stepped up and produced a delicate scoop of the ball to lift it over the wall and goalkeeper, and into the back corner of the goal, equalizing the game.

Just one minute later, a corner for the Devils ended up with the ball in the back of the net for a second time. Preiato managed to find some space over the back of the defense and volleyed the ball towards goal. An unlucky deflection saw the ball get re-directed past a helpless Edwards in goal who couldn’t react in time to adjust herself. With the score now at 2-1 in the Devils favour, Northern Hawks were forced to play a fly-keeper to try and get a result. The Devils however remained strong as a unit in defense and saw the match out, relieved more than anything to hear the final whistle. With West Coast Cobras defeating Phoenix Futsal WA 7-2 and Perth Pumas FC defeating Andinxs FC 6-0, Northern Hawks were pushed back down to 4th spot.