Saturday’s first-ever State Cup final of the NPLW era represents an opportunity for Murdoch University Melville FC to claim the first leg of a possible league-and-cup double, whilst also allowing them to gain some revenge for their loss to Balcatta in the pre-season night series final in March.
Currently sitting top of the league with a two-point advantage over second-placed Northern Redbacks, MUM FC has been in imperious form this season, losing just two games in the campaign so far and drawing two. They are also the leading goal scorers with 48 goals for and just 12 against.
By contrast, Balcatta has been less consistent and are currently one point outside of the top four having lost six and drawn one of the 12 league games they have played so far. However they can point to the fact they are the only team to have beaten Northern Redbacks this season, as well as beating third-placed Fremantle 2-0 in the semi-final to show they are capable of beating the top teams on their day.
Balcatta coach Tim Cash made mention of this when he spoke to Football West’s Tommy Doleman earlier this week saying;
“If the team get themselves fired up they can beat anyone on their day, whilst looking happy doing it too. That means everything to our girls and they really want to win for each other. The girls have performed well when they have that singular focus and the cup games have helped with that this season”
“We are proud of the accomplishments this season but we come to win on Saturday against a team I respect,” he added.
MUM FC captain Katie Schubert made mention of the loss to Balcatta in the Night series final when she spoke to Doleman saying;
“We were obviously disappointed to lose the Night Series Final against Balcatta, so this is a chance to redeem ourselves.”
She also spoke about the need to try and ensure the hype of the day doesn’t impact their way of playing saying this;
“Cup finals always bring that extra level of excitement. But we have to try and psychologically keep a level head and play our football. Both teams are going to come out all guns blazing, so we have to make sure we settle into the game and hopefully that’s mine and the senior players’ role at the weekend.”
The head-to-head this season suggests that MUM FC will be strong favourites as they have won both league games with a combined score of 11-0. However, their last two games have been physically demanding affairs with the semi-final going to extra time, before having to dig deep to earn a late equaliser against Northern Redbacks last Sunday, and it may be that the physical effort in those two games could have an impact in the final.
Balcatta will still have to be at their absolute best though if they are to cause an upset, and they will somehow need to nullify the threat of the league’s top markswoman, Katarina Jukic, and wide players Tia Stonehill and Ellie La Monte. If that isn’t possible then captain and goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco and centre back Kimberley McCartney will be in for a torrid afternoon.
Balcatta will also have to be alert to the threat posed by the in-form Sadie Lawrence who has contributed five goals and 2 assists from midfield this season.
At the other end, Balcatta’s frontline will need to find a way past Schubert and her centre back partner Baxter Thew who have formed a highly effective partnership at the heart of the meanest defence in the league.
The form book suggests the cup will end up at Murdoch University, but cup finals rarely follow form books and Balcatta have already shown they are capable of upsetting the most highly fancied of favourites this season.
Football West State Cup
Murdoch University Melville vs Balcatta
Inglewood Stadium, Perth
Saturday 17 July – kickoff: 3:00pm AWST (5:00pm AEST)
