Hyundai NTC survived a stirring Subiaco comeback on Sunday afternoon to win 5-3 and sit one point behind leaders Perth SC after Round Four of the NPLWA – Women’s competition.
The youngsters have a game in hand on the Azzurri following last week’s postponement against MUM FC, but they had to work for this one despite leading 4-0 at one stage.
Georgia Cassidy’s penalty kick and Klaudia Houlis’ first senior goal for NTC looked to have put Ben Anderton’s side well in control at Rosalie Park as they held a two-goal cushion at the interval.
Within three minutes of the restart, half time substitute Mia Britton’s shot sneaked in at the near post for 3-0 and a fourth was added when Houlis slotted in Cassidy’s cross.
Greg Farrell’s side didn’t give up though and they gave NTC a real scare with a strong fightback. Marianna Tabain capitalised on a mistake in defence to score into an open goal and pull back the first of three unanswered goals.
Rachel Larsen curled in a lovely strike from Tabain’s layoff to further cut the margin and with three minutes left Subi made it 4-3 with Tabain’s shot saved by Lily Bailey and Frankie Murray converting the follow-up.
With the game stretched, NTC were able to kill off the game once and for all, as Britton found fellow substitute Louise Tana to roll in via the post and confirm three NTC points.
NTC travel to leaders Perth in a fortnight as the top two sides meet following a break for the Hyundai Women’s State Cup next weekend.
Subi meanwhile drop two places despite their efforts after Balcatta Etna and Fremantle City shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Grindleford Reserve.
Dayle Schroeder had to be alert to deny Kim McCartney in the early stages, while at the other end Gabbie Dal Busco blocked Janice Kiama’s shot and Elizabeth Doust steered Laura Waltman’s effort off the line in a goalless first half.
Balcatta made the breakthrough on hour mark though when Monique Prinsloo threaded a pass for Tia Stonehill to finish into the top corner, her fifth goal of the campaign.
But City pushed hard as the game wore on and they levelled 14 minutes from time when Jamie-Lee Gale’s cross was headed in by Olivia Trueman for her third goal in two games.
Stonehill put wide and Gale blazed wide as neither team were able to win it and both now sit on four points with Etna having a game in hand.
On Saturday, Perth SC put six goals past Murdoch University Melville at Dorrien Gardens to remain top of the league.
Two quickfire goals set the Azzurri on their way with Monique Godding in the right place at the right time to capitalise after Faye Phillips’ strike thundered back off the bar.
Minutes later, a great solo strike from Ella Lincoln doubled the lead as she won the ball on halfway, before driving towards goal and firing across the goalkeeper.
After being denied by the frame of the goal in the first half, Phillips got forward again early in the second period to finish for 3-0. Jaime Duncanson then made it four when she arrived at the back post to slot in Ellie La Monte’s cross.
The same pair combined just past the hour mark with Duncanson again netting from close range, before she returned the favour for La Monte to run in and score past Stacey Cavill.
On Friday night, defending champions Perth RedStar stretched their unbeaten run to three matches with a 7-0 win at Curtin University.
A corner from the left was met by Quyen Doan to open the scoring and the visitors promptly made it 2-0 inside the first 10 minutes when skipper Jay Coleman forced over the line from close range.
A nice team move ended with Renee Leota putting away Doan’s cross, before Sarah Carroll’s blast from outside the box brought up goal number four.
Bronwyn Studman’s cross looped over the goalkeeper to make it 5-0 at the break and Carlos Vega Mena’s side added a couple more in the second half to cap a comprehensive win.
Leota completed a brace to bring up half a dozen and it was left to Carroll to end proceedings from the penalty spot as RedStar ended the round third and Curtin remain bottom.
Results
Balcatta Etna 1-1 Fremantle City
Curtin University 0-7 Perth RedStar
Perth SC 6-0 MUM FC
Subiaco 3-5 Hyundai NTC