Four-goal Meakins leads Balcatta blitz and leaves RedStar cup hopes in tatters

Four-goal Abbey Meakins led a Balcatta blitz at the Sam Kerr Football Centre as Peter Rakic's side added the NPLWA - Women's Top Four Cup to the Night Series they won at the start of the season.

 

Trailing to Renee Leota's courageous near-post header scored just before the break, Balcatta Etna ran riot in the second half to beat Perth RedStar 5-1.
 

Meakins was the inspiration, putting on a masterclass in finishing. Her first came just before the hour when the ball fell kindly in front of goal, and from the moment she ended her seven-game scoreless run, she didn't look back.

 

The Etna captain put her side with a sweetly struck finish from the edge of the boix, before she completed her hat-trick in style with a curling free-kick that left RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco stranded to the spot. 

Meakins then turned provider, slipping in a perfectly weighted return pass which Jamie-Lee Gale put away without fuss, before player of the match Meakins got her fourth and Balcatta's fifth with another great finish from outside the area.

 

While Balcatta celebrated their second trophy of the year, RedStar were left to reflect on a first season without silverware since 2021. 

Perth RedStar did have some joy in the NPLW U21s Top Four Cup as they prevented league champions Hyundai Football West Academy from completing a double.

RedStar defeated the Academy 3-1 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

They led 2-0 at the interval with Alkira Mogridge getting both. Her first came from the penalty spot after she had been fouled, before she fired beyond Grace Sciascia-Walsh for her second.

Savanna Glavovic got the Academy back in the game after being played in by Ella Lange, only for RedStar skipper Niamh Devitt to put the final beyond doubt when her deep free-kick was misjudged by Sciascia-Walsh and went into the goal.