The Hyundai Football West Academy have opened a five-point gap at the top of the NPLWA – Women’s competition on Sunday after two goals in the final 13 minutes gave them a 3-1 win over Subiaco at Rosalie Park.
It was a sixth win in six matches for the youngsters as they made the most of closest rivals Perth SC not being in action, ahead of the next pair’s meeting at Dorrien Gardens this Sunday.
The Academy led on 25 minutes when Sam Brady found Lacey Heys, who drilled across the face of goal for Cate McAuliffe to score from six yards. Subi responded two minutes into the second half when Greta Bailey was fouled by Nelli Johnson, with Stella Zampogna stepping up to dispatch the penalty high into the roof of the net.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
But the visitors answered with two goals late in the second half to maintain their 100% record this term. McAuliffe picked out Xuri Dalton, who struck low and hard into the bottom corner. Then McAuliffe capped a fine performance with the pick of the goals as she lashed in from the edge of the area.
The result meant Greg Farrell’s side missed an opportunity to make ground on fourth-placed Balcatta Etna, whose clash with Perth SC postponed.
Perth RedStar closed the margin on second-placed Perth to three points as Renee Leota scored five times in an 8-1 win at Murdoch University Melville.
RedStar found their ruthless streak with four goals inside the first 21 minutes at Besteam Stadium.
Sarah Carroll started proceedings with a fifth-minute free-kick before Leota scored the first of her quintet when slotting in low on her left foot. Quyen Doan volleyed home when MUM FC couldn’t clear their lines from Lauren Continibali’s free kick. Then, Leota knocked in Abbey Woolley’s cross from close range, as the defending champions all but bagged the points by the midway mark of the first half.
Taylor Reid was slipped through on goal by Ellis Glanfield to pull a goal back before half-time, but RedStar kept the foot on the gas with Leota racing clear to score another by the hour mark. The New Zealander scored twice more from close range either side of Caitlin Doeglas beating the offside trap to net low at the near post, as Chris Atturo’s side ran out comfortable winners.
Finally, Fremantle City picked up their first win of the season as they survived a late rally to defeat bottom side UWA Nedlands 4-2 at Hilton Park.
Uni had picked up their first NPL win at this ground last year but trailed just before half-time when Leyna Wood intercepted a back-pass and lifted over the goalkeeper.
Annabelle Leek doubled the lead on 65 minutes when following in to score despite seeing her initial penalty kick saved by Janina Sauer. Alex Poad’s reverse pass then released Abbey Green with the former Perth Glory winger driving in off the post to make it 3-0 with quarter of an hour remaining.
That scoreline seemingly had Freo cruising to victory only for UWA to mount a late comeback and give Freo a late scare.
Ella Vulin cashed in on a Freo mistake at the back to lift home her first NPL WA goal from range, before Chloe Rodrigo bent beautifully into the bottom corner from just inside the box a minute into added time.
Olivia Trueman answered with a late tap-in to put the game out of reach once and for all, as Sam Geddes’ side moved to within two points of the top four places.