By Siobhan Longmore
Photos by Sharon Cowley and Jayne Gardnier
Sportspower Busselton City ladies teams have certainly set the pace in the 2020 South West Soccer Association season. After starting the season with a comprehensive win, the Premier league side were keen to set the tone right from the first whistle in Saturday’s fixture against Margaret River. They played a very attacking formation allowing Siobhan Longmore and Keeley Milner to slip away and notch some early goals. To their credit a youthful Margaret River side asked a few questions at times of the of the more experiencedBusselton side. But a no-nonsense defence led by Kayla Wright and Hannah Armstrong combined with high fitness levels allowed Busselton’s dangerous trio of Longmore, Milner and Asha McClurg to break forward and find the back of the net on a regular basis. After leading 6-0 at half timeBusselton were keen to repeat their conclusive performance of the previous week against Dynamos. In the end Siobhan Longmore registered five goals for the game, Keeley Milner scored a double with McClurg and Claudia Duane notching a goal apiece. Also adding herself to the score sheet was player-coach Therese Charlton who helped her team cap off an impressive 10-0 victory.
This season Busselton City’s ladies Reserves side have returned to this competition for the first time in some years. On Sunday, they quickly adapted to some wintery condition in Collie before recording a convincing 9-1 win. Throughout the ninety minutes, Busselton were quicker to the ball and dominated midfield proceedings with Chelsea Braamgrabbing four goals. Other goal scorers included ChenayeWright, Sharon Cowley, Emily Killick, Eliza Sheehan and newcomer Molly Hawkins. Coach Rob Gibbons was especially pleased that his side continued to assert themselves in the second spell after having a comfortable 4-1 lead at the break.
This Sunday four Busselton City sides travel to Hay Park United with most interest focussing on whether the locals can continue their winning ways in both ladies competitions.