Belconnen United punched the last ticket to the Federation Cup Semi-Final following an entertaining duel with Tuggeranong United at McKellar Park, the Blue Devils winning 4-0 in the Quarter Final clash.
The Blue Devils took the best start possible, with two goals in the first ten minutes. Sofia Palywoda was at the end of a slick collective sequence, and some great work by Pascale La Hei on the left wing, to put her team ahead at the fifth minute, the midfielder allowed the space to control and finish inside the area.
Six minutes later, Pearl Tein doubled that advantage with a shot from the edge of the box, cutting inside at the end of a galloping run and hitting a swerving shot across the face of Emily Pearce and into the bottom corner of the net.
Tuggeranong United kept the game interesting by stemming the flood for the first half, while intensifying their press in the last fifteen minutes. They were not rewarded on the few situations they created but showed their usual solidity defensively.
Belconnen United put an end to the visitors’ hope with 20 minutes left. Lauren Preston took the right wing, cut in the box, and pulled the ball back for Alyssa Di-Campli. The in-form forward struck at goal with Matylda Wells-Sheather inadvertently turning the ball past her own goalkeeper.
It was almost copy and paste at the 86th minute, with Alina Roberts and Reilly Yuen combining for the latter’s goal, the combative Yuen darting in front of her marker to steer the ball home from close range.
Tuggeranong showed once more the talent we have seen this season in their ranks, but the home team on Thursday was too strong. the Blue Devils expectedly progressing to face West Canberra Wanderers in the semi-finals.
RESULT
Thursday 2 May
Belconnen United 4 (Palywoda 5’, Tein 10’, Well-Sheather 71’ (og), Yuen 86’) Tuggeranong United 0
