All over bar the shouting? Azzurri one win from clinching first NPLW title

Perth SC put one hand on the 2025 NPLWA – Women’s title as a goal in each half helped them defeat Perth RedStar in Sunday’s Round 19 top-of-the-table clash.

The 2-0 result completed a clean sweep of victories for the Azzurri against the outgoing champions this season, as Tom Glavovic’s team opened a 10-point lead on RedStar and the Hyundai Football West Academy with only three games remaining.

Balcatta are mathematically the only team who can catch Perth due to a raft of games in hand on the leaders, but a first title in the NPL era will be cemented for Perth if they avoid defeat to Etna in Wednesday’s Round Six catch-up game.

NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

It was a tight first half at RedStar Arena with clear-cut chances in the final third few and far between. But it was the visitors who struck first on 25 minutes. Jess Flannery stood up a cross which was attacked by Sam Mathers, who saw her initial header saved by Gabby Dal Busco before she put in the follow-up for her sixth goal of the season.

RedStar’s best moment of the first half came when Jay Coleman and Carla Bennett crafted an opening on the edge of the box with Dayle Schroeder smothering the through ball at the feet of Jayna Ridley.

Chris Atturo’s side came out in the second period with purpose, but Perth provided a counter-punch early in the second half to ultimately seal the three points. Daisy McAllister helped on Violet Longmore’s long throw to Flannery, who crossed for substitute Louise Tana to finish from close range.

Sarah Carroll shot straight at Schroeder as RedStar put plenty of balls in the box looking to apply late pressure on their opponents. But Perth held the three-time champions at bay and look set to dethrone RedStar, who stay second despite the defeat.

That is because the Football West Academy missed a chance to move into the top two after being held to a 1-1 draw at UWA Nedlands.

The Academy took the lead just before half-time thanks to a stunning strike from Lacey Heys, who beat a defender and found the top corner.

Uni levelled with another goal from long range a minute after the interval when Chloe Rodrigo rolled across the edge of the area for Samara Riches to curl first-time past Sofia Borg.

Borg then tipped Taylor Reid’s attempt around the post with the Academy surviving a set-piece scramble from the subsequent corner.

At the other end, Madison Large saved one-on-one from Sakura Leong, while Emily Garnett’s late effort was almost turned in for an own goal as it finished all square.

The point moved Uni seven points clear of the bottom side Murdoch University Melville, who fell to a 4-0 home defeat against Fremantle City.

City were frustrated by the hosts for an hour before Janice Kiama eventually put Sam Geddes’ side up from close range.

Abbey Green finished across the goalkeeper and Mia Yeo cut in from the right to fire home as Freo scored two quickfire finishes to put the game to bed.

Alex Poad completed the scoring when heading in a late corner as Fremantle bounced back from last week’s loss to RedStar. They are now only a point behind fourth-placed Balcatta, but have played four games more than Pete Rakic’s side, who saw their fixture with Subiaco postponed earlier in the day.

- There are two rescheduled games in the NPLW this Wednesday night. Balcatta face Perth SC in their rearranged Round Six game at Home Group Stadium (7pm) while at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Hyundai Football West Academy host Perth RedStar from Round 16 (6.30pm).