Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth Azzurri have had their lead in the New Balance NPL WA Women’s competition cut to four points after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Fremantle City.
Back-to-back losses for the reigning champions combined with Balcatta Etna’s win over Subiaco on Friday leaves Tom Glavovic’s team needing one win from their final two matches to confirm another league success.
Freo can mathematically still win the league, but their realistic target is for a second-place finish and a double chance in September’s Top Four Cup.
The Azzurri were hoping for a fast start after last weekend’s first loss of the season to Balcatta and they hit the front on 11 minutes. Epril Nossent’s long throw broke to Sam Mathers who pulled back for Ella Lincoln to fire past Freo goalkeeper Cassia Souza.
It could have been two almost immediately as Jess Flannery poked wide from another Mathers pass, while at the other end Ischia Brooking’s free-kick was tipped over by Azzurri keeper Dayle Schroeder.
Fremantle built some momentum late in the first half and they carried that into the second period with an early equaliser. Skipper Annabelle Leek kept a corner alive at the back post as her cross deflected to Janice Kiama who struck home for 1-1.
Perth had a spell on top in the second period with Flannery shooting wide from range before Mathers forced Souza into another stop. But it was Freo who won it 72 minutes when Tanika Lala started and finished a move down the left with the Goldfields striker slotting home Abbey Green’s pass.
Souza’s save from Lincoln’s shot was Perth’s best attempt at a leveller as the title race now goes to the penultimate round.
On Friday night, Balcatta closed in on the leaders after an exciting second half which saw them prevail 3-2 over Subiaco.
Balcatta dominated possession and territory in a goalless first half but did not pack a punch in the final third. Instead, Subiaco had the two best chances. Laura Waltman’s strike was saved by Rebecca Bennett and then Liana Cook headed over from a corner.
Subiaco did get reward for their efforts on 52 minutes when Balcatta were unable to deal with Tara Meeres’ cross and Cook glanced on for Mabel Wilkinson to make it goals in back-to-back games.
The hosts were level courtesy of Zoee Spadano’s delivery into the box which skidded off the surface and past Subi stopper Briana O’Dell. But that did not deter Iain Jolly’s team who led for a second time soon after when Ella Mastrantonio’s corner was headed into her own net by Abbey Meakins.
Monique Godding opened her account for the season from close range two minutes later as the goals continued to flow. And with the score at 2-2, it was game on. In the end, Balcatta made it five successive wins to keep their title hopes alive. Meakins was the matchwinner nine minutes from time after a beautifully crafted goal down the right which saw her link up with Jamie-Lee Gale before scoring from six yards.
Subi’s defeat ultimately left them four points off fourth-placed Perth RedStar, who they face next week at Rosalie Park.
In Sunday’s matches, Sorrento FC are off the bottom of the table on goal difference after a 1-1 draw with RedStar.
The draw pulled Annie Farrell’s side level on points with UWA Nedlands, but it could have been more for the Gulls had it not been for Sarah Carroll’s late equaliser.
Sorrento had a great opportunity in the opening five minutes when Stella Zampgona threaded through for Ruby Walsh who was denied by Gabby Dal Busco.
Quyen Doan headed wide from a corner as the first half ended goalless. Sorrento would then hit the front on the hour mark when leading scorer Nikayla Hughes netted at the second time of asking after seeing her initial attempt saved by Dal Busco.
Walsh hit the bar for the hosts while at the other end Amalia Caceres made a sensational save low to her left to deny Klaudia Houlis an equaliser.
Houlis’ header was later tipped over by Caceres as Sorrento continued to stand tall. But they could not quite see it out as Carroll’s free kick from wide out squeezed in at the near post to earn her team a share of the spoils.
RedStar’s dropped points allowed Hyundai Football West Academy to close the gap on the three-time champions to one point after they won 3-0 at UWA Nedlands.
Janina Sauer saved from Cate McAuliffe and Piper Dowe in the opening 12 minutes, before Hailey Russell saw two attempts well held by Grace Sciascia-Walsh.
The Academy struck the first blow on 39 minutes when Ella Lange’s corner found Coco Fonseca whose free header brought up a first goal of the campaign.
Taylor Reid volleyed a good chance over for Uni and instead it was the visitors who doubled their lead with McAuliffe’s cross curling in past Sauer.
McAuliffe added a late third from Dowe’s cross as the Academy kept their post-season hopes alive, while UWA turn their attention to a bottom of the table clash at Sorrento.
