The weekend’s outstanding fixture in Round Five of the NPLWA – Women’s competition sees unbeaten sides Perth SC and Hyundai NTC meet in a top-of-the-table clash at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.
The Azzurri are a point clear of the youngsters, who have played one game fewer.
Peter Rakic’s league leaders have scored 16 times in four league outings and have not conceded a goal since the first half of March’s Night Series final victory over Perth RedStar.
Despite going out of the pre-season competition to Perth on penalties in the semi-final, NTC did win all four meetings between the pair in 2022. This is a form line which provides plenty of hope for Ben Anderton’s side going into this weekend, according to midfielder Grace Johnston.
“I think ourselves and Perth play quite a similar style and we’ve seen they’ve obviously strengthened with the likes of Gemma Craine and Ellie La Monte joining,” Johnston said.
“But last season we were unbeaten against them and we have to go into the game on Sunday confident and with the belief that we can win.
“We definitely have our eyes on trying to get to the top of the league, but it’s a long season and we have to keep our composure and not get caught in a game that isn’t ours. We have to maintain our focus on having effective possession and moving the ball well which is Ben’s philosophy.”
NTC have won their first three league games and advanced in the Hyundai Women’s State Cup with a 6-0 over an admittedly depleted UWA Nedlands.
Johnston said despite the circumstances, it was key to put in a 90-minute performance and not allow the opposition back into the game, as they did the previous week in overcoming Subiaco 5-3 having led 4-0.
“It was a good win for us against a good UWA side who are hoping to play in the NPL next season. We definitely had to be alert and it was unfortunate on the day that they had so many injuries and ended the game with nine players,” she said.
“But we still had to do our job and play well, and scoring six is never a bad thing with Anna (Powell) stepping up to the plate and scoring three. Hopefully we can take confidence from that game into the weekend.
“When we conceded the three goals against Subiaco, if you watch the game back you can see us drop off a little bit and almost forget we had to keep playing to get the win. So it was important to play out the full game and to not concede was also good for us.”
Johnston came through the junior ranks with Subiaco before joining NTC and has been a consistent performer over the past couple of seasons. As well as continuing her education in the program, the midfielder has also been putting in plenty of hours off the football pitch to try and add greater strength to her game.
“I’m always looking to improve tactically and technically, but a big thing for me this year is working on my physicality and trying to put in that hard work at the gym,” she said.
“I think it’s something which is becoming more and more important in the women’s game as it continues to grow. Obviously, my goal is always to work being better, because that’s what this type of environment demands, but my focus is on being consistent with NTC and then who knows what opportunities will arise. I can’t predict the future, but I want to have a good season and keep progressing.”
And having reached the Top Four Cup final last year, Johnston is challenging her teammates to take the next step and lift some silverware.
“Everyone from the players to the coaching staff has been really consistent so far and I think the first game against RedStar was such a big confidence boost for us in terms of ending that unbeaten streak,” she said.
“We wanted to start the season well, even if we have had some poor results against RedStar in the past. We acknowledge they were missing some players from last year, but I still feel we were solid in our performance on the day to earn and achieve that win. That gave us belief after the final.
“A lot of the players from last year have obviously stayed after we lost the final and I think the motivation for us is to prove we can get there again and we can fight hard in all competitions this season.”
Defending champions Perth RedStar will aim to close the gap on the leading duo when they face Balcatta Etna on Sunday.
Carlos Vega Mena’s side go into the clash unbeaten in three after their Round One defeat to NTC, while Balcatta are waiting for their first win since the opening weekend, following a draw with Fremantle City a fortnight ago.
Faye Chambers’ side are also in action on Sunday when they host Subiaco at Hilton Park with both sides knowing a win will move them into the top four should fourth-placed Balcatta slip up.
The weekend starts on Friday night with a meeting between the bottom two sides as Murdoch University Melville welcome Curtin University to Besteam Stadium.
Round Five fixtures
Friday
Murdoch University Melville v Curtin University (7.30pm)
Sunday (3pm unless stated)
Fremantle City v Subiaco
Perth RedStar v Balcatta Etna
Perth SC v Hyundai NTC (4pm)