South West Phoenix Firebirds opened their league campaign with a 4-1 win over Joondalup City on Sunday.
Eleanor Coventry scored a hat trick and Nicole Suttie added a fourth before Joondalup pulled a goal back late on.
Firebirds went into the match full strength but started slowly, and struggled to get any control of the game in the opening ten minutes before settling into the contest as the half wore on.
They grew in confidence and midway through the first half Captain Lucy Scott pulled back a cross for Coventry who scored from ten yards.
Coventry doubled the Firebirds lead less than ten minutes later in a similar move except with Courtney Butlion this time providing the cross for Coventry to score from close range.
The Firebirds were in control at half time and started the second half strongly, effectively putting the result beyond doubt when Coventry added her and the Firebirds third before Nicole Suttie added a fourth when she scored a rebound after Coventry had hit the bar with a shot.
Joondalup pulled a goal back soon after but were unable to make any further inroads as the Firebirds closed out the game with a 4-1 win.
Firebirds now face a stern test in Round Two-away to last year’s champions Wanneroo City on Sunday.
“It was a good first up result for us. Joondalup have a lot more experience than us and were quite physical, but our young team stood up well and after a slow start we were able to dominate large portions of the game,” Mr Suttie said.
“This week against Wanneroo will be a very tough game for us. They are the benchmark in this league and I’m looking forward to seeing how we fare against them.”
After being re-launched at the start of 2018, the Firebirds have trained hard and worked effectively.
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