All change at top of NPLW after Jerram sinks Azzurri

Balcatta Etna continued their excellent recent form in Round 12 of the NPLWA - Women’s competition as a 1-0 win over leaders Perth SC put them back in this season’s title picture.

Pete Rakic’s in-form team won for a fifth game in a row on Saturday afternoon, which means they are six points off the summit in fourth, with two games in hand. Perth’s first league defeat sees them drop from top to third, although they have a game in hand on new leaders Perth RedStar.

NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

Balcatta threatened to open the scoring in the first half, only for Abbey Meakins to be denied by a goal-line clearance from a retreating Tijan McKenna.

Dayle Schroeder was called into action to thwart both Lucy Jerram and Jamie-Lee Gale, but the home side eventually took the lead on 57 minutes when Jerram skipped past two challenges and fired across the goalkeeper.

That proved enough to win it despite Rebecca Bennett being called upon in injury time to deny Ella Lincoln’s shot, which was bound for the top corner.

That result opened the door for Perth RedStar and they capitalised to become the league’s new leaders with a 5-0 win at Murdoch University Melville.

Four first-half goals had the defending champions cruising to a sixth successive win and top spot, with Lauren Continibali crossing to Caitlin Doeglas for the game’s opening goal.

Doeglas then returned the favour for Continibali to finish from close range for 2-0, before Renee Leota scored at the second time of asking when nodding in after a good initial stop from Jemma Skinner.

Grace Monteiro made it four at the break after a determined run and finish, with Sarah Carroll adding once more to the scoresheet in the second period from Jayna Ridley’s cross. The pair meet again next weekend at Besteam Stadium in the Women’s State Cup.

At Rosalie Park, the Football West Academy gave up a two-goal lead before storming back to defeat Subiaco 5-3 in a thrilling contest which saw them also leapfrog Perth SC into second place.

Stephen Walmsley’s side were in charge early when Lacey Heys headed in Cate McAuliffe’s free-kick and Sakura Leong rattled a shot in off the post from a narrow angle.

So-Yi Kim rounded the goalkeeper and slotted in to pull one back for Subi, and they were back on terms by half-time when Caoimhe Steele was quickest to react after Daisy McGreadie Cole saved Kim’s effort from range.

Subiaco completed the turnaround on the hour mark when Steele glanced on Greta Bailey’s pass and Kim ran in to finish confidently. But three goals in a five-minute spell proved decisive for the Academy in the topsy-turvy clash.

Emily Garnett played a key role as she drove past Monique Todd for 3-3, before the forward’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper with Klaudia Houlis following in to put the visitors back in front.

Garnett’s penalty kick then crashed off the underside of the bar and was deemed to have crossed the line to complete the scoring and keep the youngsters in the title picture.

Finally, Abbey Green starred with hat-trick as Fremantle City put 13 goals past UWA Nedlands on Saturday afternoon.

It was a special day as City celebrated their annual Pride round fixture at the recently upgraded Wauhop Park venue.

Green rifled Leyna Wood’s cutback high into the roof of the net for the game’s opening goal, before a scramble in the six-yard box resulted in an own goal by for 2-0 just before the half-hour mark.

Freo then landed five blows in an eight minute stretch either side of half time to cruise to a first win in four matches. Sophie Meaden collected Green’s through pass and slotted in for three before Erin Siah arrived to finish Leyna Wood’s cross for four.

Annabelle Leek scored from a corner for five at the break, and the goals kept coming after half-time via Green’s solo run and strike and Alex Poad closing down the keeper for goal number seven.

An unmarked Siah scored at the back post from Green’s low cross, before Tatem Spencer’s maiden NPL goal from a set-piece and Mikayla Lyons’ close-range finish made it double figures.

Another trademark driving run from Green completed her treble before Wood’s late double from inside the six yard box capped a big Freo win, while UWA remain six points clear of bottom side MUM FC.