Midfielder Alex Martens netted four goals as Cup holders Belconnen United moved into the Semi-Finals of the Federation Cup with a comfortable 8-0 win over a gusty, but ultimately outclassed, Majura FC at Woden Park.
The Blue Devils, who have only lost one cup match in the last dozen years, reaching nine of the last ten finals and winning eight of those, took another step towards yet another showdown as they simply proved too strong in all areas for Majura.
The underdogs, who lost leading scorer Carmel Lynch to a shoulder injury early on, battled gamely and in Halle Nyamekye possessed a defender of cool intuition, and calmness under pressure.
Young goalkeeper Gracie New also impressed, the teenager showing solid hands, and excellent positional awareness in repelling numerous attempts on target but was helpless for most of the Belconnen goals, whilst Olivia Martiniello was a constant menace with her tireless energy and work rate.
The perennial cup winners opened the scoring inside ninety seconds with a first cup goal for Liliana Altamore, a young forward who had opened her NPL account in the rout of Tuggeranong United, and it was 2-0 before the quarter-hour mark as Martens guided home her first from inside the area.
Martens gloriously finished her second from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner, before Anneke Corry raced in behind the back four to clatter home the fourth. Aline Roberts made it five before half-time when the forward was felled inside the box and picked herself up to net the resultant penalty.
With five in the bag by the break, the tie was over in terms of a contest, but Belconnen continued to press, emptying the bench and handing a senior debut to former ANU WFC goalkeeper Claire Joseph, as well as introducing Pearl Tein into the fray into midfield.
Martens, who was in fire form throughout the ninety minutes, scored twice more within the space of five minutes to take her tally to four goals and the scoring was finished when Roberts struck an effort that deceived New, dropping into the corner of the net, her second of the evening and the Blue Devils eighth.
Belconnen, who have now rattled in twenty-seven goals in four competitive matches in 2025, will play the winners of the Gungahlin United versus Canberra Olympic tie in the last four.
RESULT
Quarter Finals
Tuesday 22 April
Belconnen United 8 (Altamore 2’, Martens 13’, 29’, 59’, 64’, Corry 38’, Roberts 41’ (p), 72’) Majura FC 0
