Balga SC Masters retain their place at the top of the North Division 1 table with a strong performance against a gritty Westnam United.
In what were expected to be testing weather conditions Balga started on the front foot and immediately threw themselves on the task at hand. After a few promising moves the deadlock was broken by Tahir Kulelija who finished off a great long ball delivered from the midfield that caught the Westnam defense napping.
Balga continued to attack but it was Westnam who found themselves with a chance to equalise just before the half hour mark when their striker was brought down just outside the box. The resulting free kick narrowly flying over the goals.
After the break Balga came out more determined and pilled on the pressure on the Westnam defense. After 15 minutes Balga were awarded a chance to extend their lead when Anthony Banham was fouled in the box. Gary Shorto stepped up to the spot and drove the ball into the back of the net with a powerful shot.
Moments later Anthony Banham turned from provider to goalscorer when he finished well for Balga’s third. The points were fully secured 10 minutes later when Christian Martin intercepted a wayward pass to put the ball past the advancing Westnam keeper.
“It was great to keep a clean sheet today. A very important step in our development as a team” said Balga’s goalkeeper Mark Higgins. “We’re starting to get used to each other and clicking a lot better. We’re a new team so we expect that it takes time”.
Balga are next in action this Wednesday when they take on Western FC at Koondoola Park in the Masters Cup. Game kicks off at 3PM.
