Whilst both Busselton City teams qualified for the next round of the South West Soccer Association’s Pioneer Cup competition, they took quite different pathways.
The Triple M Ladies team had to work over-time to account for a fast finishing Australind side. The locals started in an enterprising manner with player-coach Therese Charlton and Keely Milner taking control of midfield proceedings. In fact it was a delightful Charlton pass that found pacy striker Chenaye Wright whose clinical finish gave her side a 1-0 lead.
With promising wingers Allyson Armstrong and Tennille Pavlinovich providing good width in attack it was no surprise that Wright grabbed her second midway through the first half. However the second spell was all Australind and after they reduced the arrears to 2-1, they put the Busselton defence under constant pressure. It was only some confident goalkeeping by Ashleigh Charlton and several last minute interventions by Kayla Wright and Sami Ryan that saved the day. Busselton City now takes on a poised and proficient Hay Park United in Sunday’s semi-final.
CMI Busselton City faced an understrength Collie Power team and as such was able to dominate possession throughout the 90 minutes. However despite creating scoring chances on a regular basis they weren’t able to put the ball in the back of the net.
Patrick Sheehan, Beau Haynes and Will Jackson all had opportunities to opening the scoring before Martin Ryan grabbed an elusive goal just before the break. In the second half Busselton City were a lot more composed and the goals flowed courtesy of Ryan (2), Sheehan, Jackson, Alan Dowling, Rob Seia and Cam Best. With midfielder Rich Amey and defenders Cam Goldsmith and Miles Palmer-Williams to come back into the side, Busselton City should be at full strength on Sunday when they take on last season’s champions, Bunbury Dynamos.
