Gale-force Freo blow Perth away
Report by Louis Granich
Fremantle will be looking to add the Finals Series to the Night Series they won earlier this year (above)
Fremantle City stormed into the NPLWA Women's cup final with a resounding 6-1 over Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens on Thursday night.
Abbey Meakins first half goal for the Azzurri was lost among a Jamie-Lee Gale hat-trick, a Gemma Craine brace and a final goal from Georgie Ireland.
The match immediately sprung into life when Gale passed through to Annabelle Leak, who crossed back to Gale to finish from close range. The well worked move opened the scoring for Fremantle after just 30 seconds.
Perth quickly answered back with a goal of their own. Meakins intercepted a loose pass to fire home an equaliser from outside the box, her fifth goal of the season scored in trademark style.
The visitors regained the lead midway through the first half when Gale's intelligent high press was rewarded with her second goal. Jenna Onions was caught on the ball and Gale raced clear to coolly finish into the bottom right corner.
The move of the match happened just before half-time as Craine flicked a header on to Gale, who then flicked a ball over her head back to Craine. The Fremantle forward controlled the ball with her shoulder at full speed to put herself through on goal, finishing well to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
After the restart Fremantle’s front two were at it again, Craine ghosting past two players and crossing for Gale to score her hat-trick. Her shot taking a deflection off the unfortunate Nadia Harvey, who could not keep the ball out.
Fremantle kept applying pressure as Mikayla Lyons’ clever through ball found Craine one on one with the goalkeeper. She made no mistake, opening up and scoring into the far corner to score her second.
The rout was completed in the 75th minute when Natasha Rigby raced down the right wing to cross for Georgie Ireland. The midfielder capped off a great individual and team performance with a controlled volley across goal to make it 6-1.
Credit to Perth for showing determination and spirit right until the end but it is Fremantle City who will meet Northern Redbacks in the final on Sunday.
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