Report by Tommy Doleman
Louise Tana scored the only goal as Perth Azzurri won 1-0 at Perth RedStar to extend their lead at the top of the New Balance NPL WA Women’s competition.
Tom Glavovic’s unbeaten side are nine points clear with two-thirds of the season completed, which keeps them on track to make it back-to-back league titles.
RedStar remain in fourth and are two points clear of Hyundai Football West Academy with a game in hand.
RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco made two good saves down low to deny Ella Lincoln and Jess Flannery as Azzurri had the better chances of a goalless first half.
Toko Satsuma put just wide of the post for the hosts early in the second period while Dal Busco was in action again on 56 minutes when turning Matilda Bohm’s curler away from danger.
The league leaders broke the deadlock six minutes later when Dal Busco palmed Bohm’s free-kick into the path of Tana, who tapped in from close range.
Dal Busco then denied Lincoln, with Flannery’s follow-up coming back off the bar as Perth missed the chance to kill off the game.
One was enough for the Azzurri, however, as they kept clean sheet number 11 in 14 matches this season to continue their charge toward the title.
On Saturday, Fremantle City moved back into second place thanks to two late goals from Tanika Lala in a 2-1 win over the Football West Academy.
Academy forward Cate McAuliffe dragged an early effort wide of the post before Lala wasted several attempts to score, with two saved by Daisy McGreadie-Cole and others going wide of the mark.
The home side went in front on 29 minutes when Rutendo Kuzamba’s cross reached Piper Dowe whose attempt was firm enough to beat Cassia Souza despite the Freo stopper getting a glove to it.
Freo stepped it up in the second half in a bid to keep their slim title hopes alive. Lacey Heys put over a good chance when the midfielder found herself through on goal, before Alex Poad’s long-range effort crashed back off the bar.
It seemed like one of those days in front of goal for Sam Geddes’ side until Lala found a clinical edge in the final moments. The equaliser was scored on 85 minutes when Lala collected Heys’ pass and tied it up when finishing low across McGreadie-Cole. The striker then linked up with Leyna Wood in stoppage time to finish crisply from the edge of the box.
Balcatta Etna dropped to third and are a point behind Freo after conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Sorrento FC.
Abbey Meakins’ rising drive was beaten away by Amalia Caceres in the opening quarter of an hour as Etna aimed for back-to-back wins.
The hosts opened the scoring three minutes before the interval in a first half of few clear-cut chances. Caitlin Doeglas controlled a long pass from Zoee Spadano before crossing low for Meakins to score from inside the six-yard box.
Caceres made two excellent saves nine minutes after the restart from Spadano’s solo run and shot and then Monique Godding’s drive from the edge of the area.
Balcatta continued to knock on the door as Frankie Murray headed over a Meakins corner and Doeglas hit the post after another Meakins shot was saved. But they did not put the game to bed and were hit by a late sucker punch from Sorrento three minutes into stoppage time.
Daisy Snowden lifted a ball into the box from the right-hand side and Melissa Shepherd met it first time on the volley to give the Gulls back-to-back away wins against top four opponents.
Sorrento’s point keeps them three points clear of bottom side UWA Nedlands, who drew 0-0 at home to Subiaco in Sunday’s other game.
Ella Mastrantonio’s free-kick was saved by Janina Sauer at the beginning of the second half with Subiaco still hoping to make a late run at the top four.
At the other end, Samara Riches got the better of Amy Harrop before shooting straight at Briana O’Dell, who later tipped a Taylor Reid effort around the post.
Niamh Taylor-Hughes struck straight at Sauer in the final five minutes as it ended goalless with Subiaco eight points behind RedStar in fourth.
