Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth Azzurri will have to wait at least another week to seal back-to-back titles after losing 2-1 at home to Balcatta Etna in Saturday’s New Balance NPL WA Women’s Round 18 clash.
It was a first defeat of the campaign for Tom Glavovic’s team, but they remain in a healthy position at the summit with just one more win required from their final three matches.
Etna, meanwhile, have won four in a row as they continue their charge towards the Top Four Cup. Saturday’s win will also be a boost going into the State Cup final against the same opponents at the end of this month.
Balcatta made the brighter start with Dayle Schroeder forced to tip over Abbey Meakins’ free-kick then deny Caitlin Doeglas in a one-on-one situation.
Jess Flannery’s turn and shot from Tegan Attree’s cross soon after was Perth’s best chance of a goalless first half at La Vida Homes Stadium.
Just after the restart Pete Rakic’s side went in front when Flannery’s miscued clearance fell to Abbey Meakins, who finished low across the goalkeeper for a 10th goal of the season.
Azzurri almost hit back straight away when Daisy McAllister hit the post after linking up nicely with Ella Lincoln before Sam Mathers’ drive was pushed away by Rebecca Bennett.
Perth’s pressure would tell just past the hour mark when Bennett’s clearance was picked off by the home side and McAllister lifted over the stranded goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
But Balcatta regained the lead on 74 minutes in spectacular fashion, as former Azzurri skipper Zoee Spadano ran onto a loose ball and curled first time over Schroeder from about 30 yards.
With their unbeaten record on the line, Perth chased a second equaliser but McAllister put their best chance over the bar.
On Sunday, UWA Nedlands moved off the bottom of the league after picking up a 1-1 draw at fourth-placed Perth RedStar.
Uni could have led inside two minutes when Chloe Rodrigo charged down Abbey Woolley’s clearance and forced Gabby Dal Busco into a save with Woolley getting back to clear.
RedStar had several corners as the half wore on without creating a clear opportunity, and not long after the break UWA went in front through Ella Gaspar after Woolley’s clearing header went to the midfielder who struck low into the corner.
The lead lasted only six minutes as Quyen Doan’s back post header from Andrea Teixiera’s corner sneaked across the line before the visiting defenders could clear.
Neither side found a winner. But the draw for UWA, on the back of a 1-0 win over Fremantle City in midweek, moved them a point clear of Sorrento FC who slip to the bottom of the league.
RedStar, meanwhile, are in danger of missing out on the NPL Top Four Cup for the first time. They are just three points clear of both Hyundai Football West Academy and Subiaco.
This is after Subiaco followed up their 1-0 catch-up victory over RedStar by beating the Academy 4-2 at Rosalie Park.
Liana Cook scored a hat-trick the last time these sides met at the Sam Kerr Football Centre. She opened the scoring here on seven minutes when Mabel Wilkinson’s pass deflected her way before taking a touch and firing in.
Cate McAuliffe led a nice move which saw Theodora Mouithys force a save from Briana O’Dell. But it was the hosts who went two up when Niamh Taylor-Hughes was brought down in the box and Cook converted the penalty.
Brave goalkeeping from Abigail Cooper denied Cook after a save from Taylor-Hughes, while McAuliffe’s 30-yard thunderbolt crashed off the Subi woodwork.
Iain Jolly’s side made it 3-0 on 53 minutes when Tara Meeres stood up a cross to the back post for Wilkinson to head in her first goal since the opening weekend.
The Academy had an answer before the hour mark when substitute Savanna Glavovic raced clear to slot past O’Dell. But the game was settled on 82 minutes when Ella Mastrantonio scored direct from a corner to ensure Subiaco made it four games unbeaten against the youngsters.
McAuliffe’s late consolation mattered little as Subiaco pulled level on points with the Academy.
Finally, Fremantle City bounced back from their surprise midweek loss to UWA by beating Sorrento 4-0 at Hilton Park.
Skipper Annabelle Leek scored the opening goal on 12 minutes when glancing in Sam Brady’s corner.
Georgie Ireland’s pass ran through to Phetchara Anne Mayoe whose drive flew past Madison Large for 2-0. And it was three at half-time when Mayoe helped Brady’s pass onto Tanika Lala, who dispatched low and hard into the bottom corner.
Leyna Wood hit the scoresheet in the second half from Janice Kiama’s lobbed pass as Freo stay in third place ahead of next week’s visit of leaders Azzurri at Wauhop Park.
