Perth SC extended their lead at the top of the NPLWA – Women’s competition to two points after second-half goals gave them a 2-0 win at Fremantle City.
It is as tight as ever at the top of the league with four points still separating the top four sides after 15 rounds, although Perth and fourth-place Balcatta Etna still have a catch-up game against each other to schedule.
The Azzurri hit the front a minute into the second period. Ella Lincoln dispossessed Janice Kiama and curled an effort which crashed back off the bar. Jess Flannery followed in and while Megan Phillips saved her initial effort, the striker scored at the second time of asking.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Freo had a good opportunity to equalise moments later when Sophie Meaden’s corner found Annabelle Leek with the defender volleying and forcing a good stop from Dayle Schroeder. Instead, Perth doubled their lead on 56 minutes and managed out the rest of the contest.
Daisy McAllister was first to a loose ball and she slipped a pass through to Lincoln, who made no mistake to give Perth their third victory in a row. The loss leaves fifth-placed Freo 10 points off next week’s opponents Balcatta.
Hyundai Football West Academy are now in second place after beating Balcatta 1-0 courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from substitute Theo Mouithys.
The first half was a real stalemate with chances few and far between, but Balcatta came close early in the second half when Jaime Duncanson’s looping header from Alyssa Van Heurck’s cross hit the bar.
Emily Garnett drove in behind the Etna defence only to place her shot wide of the post, while at the other end Balcatta narrowly missed again with Jamie-Lee Gale next to hit the frame of the goal.
It seemed no goal would arrive until the Academy found themselves in a two-on-two situation in the final minute. Garnett rolled he ball across to Mouithys who crisply finished first time for her ninth goal of the season.
That proved to be the winner despite Liana Cook forcing Sofia Borg into a save, and Abbey Meakins whistling an effort just wide with basically the last kick of the game.
The Academy kept their title hopes alive with the victory, although they have played a game more than leaders Perth. Balcatta are two points behind the youngsters after seeing their eight-match winning streak ended.
Perth RedStar leapfrogged Peter Rakic’s side into third place with a 7-0 win over UWA Nedlands.
RedStar came out firing having conceded five goals in each of the past two weeks, and they led after 100 seconds when Jayna Ridley crossed from Renee Leota to score from six yards.
Keeper Madison Large misjudged Caitlin Doeglas’ long-range shot as RedStar doubled the lead, and it was 3-0 at the break when Jay Coleman crossed for Leota to net again from close range.
RedStar then scored four goals in six second-half minutes to run away with a comfortable win, starting with Sarah Carroll rifling in a fourth from the edge of the box. Leota knocked in another to complete her hat-trick, while Doeglas completed a brace when looping a first-time curler up and over the goalkeeper. Jayna Ridley got in on the act to make it seven from Doeglas’ cross.
UWA, who remain second bottom, were then awarded a penalty but Samara Riches saw her spot-kick saved by Gabby Dal Busco.
Finally, Subiaco ended a winless run which dated back to May as they came from behind to defeat Murdoch University Melville 2-1.
MUM FC opened the scoring on 19 minutes when Isabella Baldin clipped forward for Lucie Hotchin, whose cross was spilled by Amalia Caceres and Ellis Glanfield tapped in.
Subi levelled before half-time when Stella Zampogna played a clever reverse pass with the ball cannoning off Murdoch goalkeeper Jemma Skinner and in off Greta Bailey.
The match-winning moment came four minutes from time as Zampogna again unlocked the door with a through ball to release Marianna Tabain, who rounded Caceres to score.