Leading pair Academy, Azzurri win in NPLW

Four goals in the final 27 minutes ensured the Hyundai Football West Academy maintained their 100% start to the season as they came away with a 4-1 win over UWA Nedlands on Easter Sunday.

The youngsters had to come from behind early on, before rolling to fifth consecutive win to start the campaign as they stay two points clear at the summit, while UWA stay bottom of the league.

NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS

Lawrence Lewis’ side had made an excellent start as Chloe Rodrigo’s low free-kick was saved by Sofia Borg, only for Emily Dinsdale to react first to put her side in front.

The hosts held that lead for around an hour until Lacey Heys threaded through for Theodora Mouithys who celebrated her call up to the CommBank Junior Matildas training camp by rounding the goalkeeper to score.

Sakura Leong played through Cate McAuliffe, who crossed for captain Klaudia Houlis to make it 2-1. Then Mouithys, who had seen Xuri Dalton have a first-half penalty saved by Janina Sauer, took responsibility when the Academy were awarded a second spot-kick and made no mistake.

That left UWA facing an uphill task and it quickly got worse for the hosts when Houlis charged onto a loose ball to stroke home a fourth and join team-mate Moutihys on five goals for the season.

Perth SC remain two points off the leaders as they defeated Perth RedStar 2-1 at Dorrien Gardens in a repeat of last season’s Top Four and State Cup finals.

All the goals were scored in nine minutes during the first half, with the Azzurri opening a six-point lead on their opponents, who remain third.

Jay Coleman and Lauren Continibali had early opportunities for Chris Atturo’s side, but Perth led on 20 minutes when Sam Mathers' near-post corner was nodded into her own net by Quyen Doan.

Mathers was the provider for the hosts’ second goal when crossing from the right for Jess Flannery to finish first time into the bottom corner.

RedStar responded and halved the deficit before the half-hour mark when Jayna Ridley’s cross was cleverly lifted over the goalkeeper by Renee Leota at the front post.

That’s how it stayed despite Leota’s effort flying just wide, while at the other end Daisy McAllister was thwarted by Gabby Dal Busco from 18 yards.

The other two Round Five fixtures were postponed. Balcatta Etna’s clash against Subiaco has been rescheduled for Wednesday 28 May, while Fremantle City’s fixture with Murdoch University Melville will take place on Wednesday 18 June.