Cavill has perfect view of MUM FC charge

A top of the table clash headlines Round Eight of the NPLWA – Women’s competition as defending champions Perth RedStar face two-time title winners Murdoch University Melville on Sunday afternoon.

Having lost their long-standing unbeaten run in Round One, RedStar are unbeaten in six matches and reclaimed their position at the summit of the division following the weekend’s 3-2 win over Fremantle City.

They sit a point clear of MUM FC and Hyundai NTC following the pair’s meeting on Wednesday night in a catch-up game from Round Three. It was an impressive performance from David Biancuzzo’s side who prevailed 5-1 to record a fifth straight win in all competitions on the back of a Samantha Mathers hat-trick.

“It’s been amazing watching it unfold from the perspective of goalkeeper and watching the team’s desire to win, to work hard, and keep improving as a group,” said MUM FC stopper Stacey Cavill after Wednesday’s victory.

“You can also see it with the way we train as well that we’re all loving it and having plenty of fun at the moment. If we stay injury free, keep working and backing each other, then there’s no reason why we can’t go far because it’s such a tight league. 

“When I signed for MUM FC in pre-season, I was the second oldest player in the group so I knew it was pretty young team I was coming into. But the players have a real work ethic to keep learning and improving, and succeeding in what we’re trying to do with our great coaching staff.

“Whilst I think we were under the radar, we’ve just beaten a good NTC side 5-1 so I think there will be a few people taking more notice. It’s up to us now to keep delivering consistent performances and results every weekend.”

In Wednesday's game at E&D Litis Stadium, NTC went ahead when Klaudia Houlis turned her opponent following good work from Anna Powell and slotted past Cavill to move joint-top of the NPLWA – Women’s Golden Boot charts alongside Jaime Duncanson on eight goals.

MUM FC levelled four minutes after the restart when Mathers headed in a corner from the right, before two fine Cavill saves from Houlis and Mia Britton proved important in the final shake-up.

The visitors went in front on 65 minutes when Charli Wainwright started and finished a nice team move with a low strike from the edge of the area. They were further boosted in their pursuit for three points when NTC's Georgia Cassidy was shown a red card, and capitalised with three goals in the final 11 minutes to leapfrog their rivals.

Jessica Johnson’s long-range effort curled over Megan Phillips in the NTC goal for 3-1, before Mathers was put through by Nikita Strickling’s header to slot in a fourth.

Mathers then completed a perfect hat-trick with a strike from downtown, which continued MUM FC’s terrific recent run of form and set up an enticing clash with leaders RedStar.

Elsewhere on Sunday, NTC will aim to bounce back when they travel to Grindleford Reserve to play Balcatta Etna.

Despite the heavy midweek loss, Ben Anderton’s team know a win will lift his team back up to second spot by the end of the weekend and potentially top if RedStar and MUM FC draw.

However, Balcatta will be buoyed by last week’s first-ever win over Perth SC, hoping it can act as a catalyst in their push for a return to top-four contention.

Both the Azzurri and Fremantle City will want to return to winning when they face off at Dorrien Gardens for the second time this season.

The Round Two meeting between the pair ended 6-0 in favour of Pete Rakic’s team, who can put a six-point gap between themselves and fifth-place Freo with three points on the weekend.

Subiaco and Curtin University go head-to-head in the weekend’s final game with this a must-win for Greg Farrell’s team if they have ambitions of making a run for finals in the second half of the season. Curtin, meanwhile, are still awaiting their first point as a tough 2023 campaign continues.

Fixtures

Sunday (3pm unless stated)
Subiaco v Curtin University
Perth RedStar v Murdoch University Melville
Balcatta Etna v Hyundai NTC
Perth SC v Fremantle City (4pm)