It was a case of “Job done” for the South West Firebirds on Sunday with a 6-1 win against lowly Perth Soccer Club.
Three points and no injuries was the desired outcome, and Firebirds had the match wrapped up by half time before a scrappy second half.
The win keeps the Firebirds on-top by one point with a game in hand, with four rounds remaining.
Firebirds have been in the middle of an injury crisis, with long-term absentees Courtney Butlion and Katie McDermott joining the absent Kashia King as Firebirds try to grind out results.
Firebirds went into the match with the bare minimum 11 players, but moved the ball well in the opening minutes and controlled possession.
Perth did not look capable of threatening Firebirds’ goal and it was no surprise when Firebirds took the lead through Nicole Suttie after some good link-up play with Eleanor Coventry.
Firebirds had a series of chances throughout the first half but spurned some good opportunities.
The floodgates then opened with four quick-fire goals just after the half-hour mark.
Suttie doubled her tally with a fine 20-yard strike before Coventry and Lucy Scott scored along with Perth scoring an own goal.
With the score 5-0 at half time, the match was over as a contest.
Unfortunately, it was virtually over as a spectacle too as the second half fell away to a very scrappy showpiece with the Firebirds unable to get their passing game going.
Perth grabbed a goal midway through the half as they started to threaten more, before Skye Dalton scored for the Firebirds in the dying stages.
The undermanned Firebirds were happy to get the three points and will welcome back Katie McDermott and Kashia King for this week’s crucial trip to Northern Redbacks.
Three wins from the final four games will be enough for Firebirds to clinch the title, with this week’s game – on paper, at least – looking to be the most difficult.
A win this week would be a huge step towards the title.
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