Hyundai NTC avenged their 2022 Top Four Cup Final defeat to Perth RedStar as they sprung the surprise of the opening week of the NPLWA – Women’s competition on Sunday.
A goal in each half from Tanika Lala and Georgia Cassidy gave the youngsters a 2-0 win as they inflicted a first defeat on RedStar’s women since the merger between Northern Redbacks and ECU Joondalup over a year ago.
NTC were good value for their win, which was based on hard work and terrific ball retention.
Yet the best effort of the early exchanges fell the way of RedStar’s Jayna Ridley, who put a free header over the bar.
Midway through the half he hosts threatened again, Renee Leota miscuing a volley from Chiori Ikeda’s cross. The mis proved costly, as Ben Anderton’s side capitalised with the opener soon after.
Last season’s Golden Boot runner-up Lala enforced a turnover in midfield before driving at RedStar’s defence and finishing with aplomb past goalkeeper Maya Diederichesen to make it 1-0.
NTC continued to look dangerous as Lala burst through on goal again, but this time Diederichsen was equal to the task as she showed the form which won her the player of the match award in last week’s Night Series final.
Holders Redstar came closest to levelling when Sarah Carroll found herself one-on-one with Lilly Bailey, but the NTC goalkeeper stuck out a right boot to divert to safety.
And the visitors sealed the win with eight minutes remaining. Lala again threatened until she was upended by Diederichesen in the penalty area, and Cassidy scored the penalty to ensure NTC defeated RedStar/Redbacks for the first time since 2020.
Balcatta Etna were the day’s big winners with Monique Prinsloo’s quadruple helping them to a 9-0 win over Curtin University.
Tia Stonehill curled home a stunning opener inside 14 minutes at Grindleford Reserve in her first league start for 18 months, before Lauren Continibali’s long-range strike doubled the lead minutes later.
An own goal from Ferne Carter made it 3-0, followed by Prinsloo’s first as she side-footed home from close range, and then Kimberly McCartney made it five with a header from Continibali’s free kick.
Prinsloo tapped in Stonehill’s cross to make it six before the interval, and more pain would be inflicted a minute after the restart with former NTC striker Prinsloo completing her hat-trick, having followed in her initial shot.
Stonehill paired up with Prinsloo again to tee up her fourth and Balcatta’s eighth before the 2021 Gold Medal winner strolled in to make it 9-0 and cap a fine start to the new season.
Night Series winners Perth SC also got off to a flyer with four individual goalscorers in a 4-0 win over Subiaco.
Ellie La Monte opened her account for the Azzurri as she rifled home from Gemma Craine’s cross before the former Perth Glory attacker turned scorer on the stroke of half-time.
Craine was able to pick up the ball from Rebecca Bennett’s clearance just inside Subi’s half and burst towards goal with a confident finish capping the move.
Jaime Duncanson completed a classy passing move with a superb volley from La Monte’s cross to make it three, and the fourth was added by Abbey Meakins as she struck low and hard into the corner from just inside the area.
The day’s other result saw Murdoch University Melville claim an opening day win as they defeated Fremantle City 2-1 thanks to a brace from Sophie Meaden.
David Biancuzzo’s team got off to the ideal start when Meaden executed the perfect chip over Dayle Schroeder in the Freo goal.
Then just past the hour mark, Meaden burst clear of City’s defence to put the two-time league champions two goals clear and within sight of a first league win at Freo since Round 10, 2021.
Mikayla Lyons crafted an opening to set up a nervy finish for the visitors, but it was MUM FC who registered three valuable points to kickstart their campaign.
Results
Balcatta Etna 9-0 Curtin University
Fremantle City 1-2 MUM FC
Perth RedStar 0-2 Hyundai NTC
Perth SC 4-0 Subiaco