Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth Azzurri have taken a stranglehold on the title race in the New Balance NPL WA Women’s competition after defeating Balcatta Etna 1-0 in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash.
The Round 12 win for the undefeated reigning champions means they ended the weekend six points clear of the team now in second place, Fremantle City, who they meet next Sunday.
Etna, meanwhile, have work to do if they are to break through for a maiden league success after winning just once in their past four to sit eight points off the pace.
Perth had the better chances of a tight first half with Bec Bennett saving efforts from Kim McCartney and Louise Tana. But the goalkeeper’s best save came when denying Daisy McAllister, who latched onto a short back pass.
Balcatta’s best efforts came via Caitlin Doeglas, who saw a shot from Jamie-Lee Gale’s cross and then a glancing header both saved by Dayle Schroeder as the opening period ended goalless.
Tom Glavovic’s side took the lead a minute after the restart after nice link-up play between Charli Wainwright and Ella Lincoln, which resulted in the latter squeezing in an effort at the near post from a tight angle.
That proved to be the only goal of the game as Perth’s stubborn defence held Balcatta’s attack at bay after that. It was a 10th clean sheet in a dozen games for the Azzurri who have only conceded twice this term and remain the team to beat.
After toppling their nearest rivals this week, they get the chance to do it all again next Sunday when they host Fremantle City, who went above Balcatta and into second following their 4-3 win at Sorrento FC.
Freo struck first when Lacey Heys’ terrific pass released Ischia Brooking who slotted home after 13 minutes.
Sorrento equalised immediately when Sophia Papalia’s pass found Stella Zampogna who scored at the second time of asking after seeing her initial effort saved by Cassia Souza.
A third goal was scored in the space of three minutes when Freo’s Leyna Wood lifted in from a tight angle. But the Gulls equalised for a second time and made it 2-2 on 28 minutes courtesy of Georgia Cassidy’s first goal for Sorrento from a long-range free kick which Souza failed to deal with.
Tanika Lala put Sam Geddes’ side into the lead for a third time on 53 minutes, and then saw another effort come off the post with Heys following in to make it 4-2 on the hour mark.
Nikayla Hughes headed home Ruby Walsh’s cross with six minutes remaining as Sorrento gave themselves a late sniff of getting a result. But time ran out for Annie Farrell’s side who stay two points clear of the bottom.
Elsewhere, Perth RedStar opened a four-point gap to fifth place after a 3-0 win at UWA Nedlands.
RedStar were awarded a 25th minute penalty when Shalika Viandrisa pushed Renee Leota as a cross came into the box.
Sarah Carroll scored the penalty and seven minutes later they had a second when Leota met Jayna Ridley’s cross in the six-yard box.
Nelli Johnson’s free kick was volleyed in by Jay Coleman early in the second half which all but ensured the points were secured.
UWA nearly pulled one back when RedStar got in a muddle playing out from the back but Johnson cleared Beth Harries’ effort off the line as Uni remain two points from safety.
Finally, Subiaco emerged 6-4 winners against the Football West Academy in an action-packed encounter at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Theodora Mouithys rifled high into the roof of the net from Rutendo Kuzamba’s pass as the Academy went ahead on 11 minutes.
The Junior Matildas forward had her second of the afternoon nine minutes later when racing away from the Subiaco defence and rounding goalkeeper Briana O’Dell to score.
Subiaco were awarded a penalty soon after when Savannah Oolsthorn was brought to ground in the box. Liana Cook netted from 12 yards despite Daisy McGreadie-Cole guessing the right way, before the Academy were given a penalty as well after Luana Ascenzo-Cabello fouled Piper Dowe.
Cate McAuliffe saw her spot-kick saved by O’Dell and instead it was Subiaco who went into half time locked at 2-2 when former two-time Gold Medal winner Laura Waltman collected Emma Hallowell’s pass to slot home.
A helter-skelter second half followed with Waltman heading in Ella Mastrantonio’s corner from close range to make it 3-2 Subi. And three became four when Niamh Taylor-Hughes teed up Mastrantonio who curled home brilliantly from the edge of the box on 58 minutes.
Andy Ord’s side were back in it almost immediately when McAuliffe’s pass spotted Savannah Glavovic, who rounded O’Dell to finish. But Cook followed up after Waltman’s initial shot following a set-piece scramble to restore the two-goal cushion at 5-3.
Glavovic held off Ana Denona to roll home and reduce the arrears again to give the hosts hope on 79 minutes. Cook would have the final say, though, when scoring from Mia Hargeaves’ cross as Subiaco’s three game winless run came to an end.
