Balcatta cash in as rivals slip up

Balcatta Etna have opened a two-point lead at the top of the New Balance NPL WA Women’s competition after three second-half goals gave them a 3-0 win at Sorrento FC.

It was a good weekend for Peter Rakic’s side who got the job done to remain unbeaten as nearest rivals Perth Azzurri and Fremantle City both dropped points.

Sorrento’s defeat means they stay seventh, two points clear of bottom side UWA Nedlands.

The Gulls had a good early opportunity when Daisy Snowden beat the offside trap from Isla Edwards’ pass but shot into the side netting.

Balcatta then had several shots at the Sorrento goal with Amalia Caceres keeping out efforts from Abbey Meakins and Caitlin Doeglas, before Meakins’ drive clipped the outside of the post.

It took the league leaders an hour to break down their opponents with Jaime Duncanson’s corner headed home by Frankie Murray.

The advantage was doubled on 73 minutes when Meakins stole the ball off Megan Shepherd high up the pitch and lashed in from the corner of the penalty area with Caceres possibly losing the ball in the sun.

Doeglas’ left-footed strike in the final few minutes made it three and capped a good day for Etna who are out on their own at the summit.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Hyundai Football West Academy ended a three-game winless run by inflicting a 1-0 defeat on Fremantle City.

Both sides had chances in a goalless first half with Academy keeper Daisy McGreadie-Cole saving Leyna Wood’s shot from range, while at the other end Savanna Glavovic’s effort was well blocked by Freo’s defence.

Ella Lange’s sweetly struck volley from distance whistled just over the bar and Mia Yeo also forced another save from McGreadie-Cole as the game remained there for both sides to win.

The game’s decisive moment arrived on 87 minutes when Cate McAuliffe threaded a pass through to Piper Dowe, who surged between two Freo defenders and poked past onrushing goalkeeper Cassia Souza.

That was Freo’s first loss of the campaign while it was a big three points for the Academy, who moved into the top four despite having Sakura Leong and Theo Mouithys away with the Junior Matildas.

They leapfrogged Perth RedStar who held reigning champions Perth Azzurri to a 1-1 draw at Dorrien Gardens on Friday.

Daisy McAllister forced RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco into a save at the end of a goalless opening half, while after the restart Jayna Ridley saw an effort from outside the box crash off the Azzurri post.

The home side hit the front on 56 minutes after a sweeping move down the right which ended with McAllister crossing for Jess Flannery to apply a simple finish.

But RedStar replied quarter-of-an-hour later when substitute Jasmine Gray burst down the left and accelerated past Kim McCartney before rolling the ball past Dayle Schroeder for her first top-flight goal.

Neither side could find a winner with Perth two points off the pace and RedStar a point off the finals places but now eight points behind the leaders.

Finally, Subiaco picked up their first victory since the opening round after prevailing 3-0 over UWA Nedlands.

Uni could have opened the scoring when Emily Dinsdale was through on goal but saw her shot well saved by Briana O’Dell.

The home side went ahead on 38 minutes when UWA were slow to react to a quickly taken corner with Ella Mastrantonio’s cross running all the way into the back of the net.

Subi’s second was a stunner with Niamh Taylor-Hughes allowed to carry the ball to the edge of the box before curling a terrific strike into the top corner for her first goal of the campaign.

Taylor-Hughes was involved again in the third goal when she was brought down in the box by Alyssa Kinkaid and Sara Klott scored her third goal of the season from the penalty spot.

That proved to be enough for Subiaco who are within three points of fourth place, while UWA remain at the foot of the table.