Perth RedStar kept their outside hopes of a fourth successive title alive after battling to a 3-2 win at Fremantle City in Round 18 of the NPLWA – Women’s competition.
The result leaves RedStar seven points off the leaders with four games remaining ahead of next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with the Azzurri at RedStar Arena.
Freo, meanwhile, stay four points behind fourth-placed Balcatta Etna, who now have three games in hand on City after their match with UWA Nedlands was washed out.
Both sides had to deal with tricky conditions at Wauhop Park but RedStar fired the first shot with Sarah Carroll’s effort crashing back off the bar. The visitors did take the lead on 14 minutes when Kaitlyn Bellanca skipped around Alex Poad and her shot from a narrow angle beat Megan Phillips.
The hosts had been in good form coming into Sunday’s match after six wins in their past seven and they turned the game in their favour with two goals in under two minutes.
They levelled when Abbey Green made the running through the heart of the RedStar defence before her deflected cross looped up and was put in by Leyna Wood for 1-1. Freo then led as Sophie Meaden’s shot was saved by Gabby Dal Busco and Wood put in the rebound for her 13th goal of the season.
But RedStar responded before half-time when Renee Leota’s inswinging cross ran beyond both Lauren Continibali and Tatem Spencer to nestle in the bottom corner for two each at the break.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
The decisive goal arrived on 55 minutes when a long free-kick was misjudged by Phillips and Golden Boot leader Leota poked home her 20th goal of the season despite Annabelle Leek’s efforts on the line.
RedStar should have extended their lead when Jayna Ridley’s perfect pass was uncharacteristically planted wide by Caitlin Doeglas. But 3-2 was enough to see RedStar win for a third successive game and set up a big game in the northern suburbs next Sunday.
Perth SC remain clear at the top and are closing in on their first league title of the NPL era after defeating Subiaco 4-0 at Rosalie Park.
The Azzurri dominated the early passages and led after a quarter of an hour when Daisy McAllister pulled back to the edge of the area and Jess Flannery controlled to fire into the bottom corner.
Ella Lincoln doubled the lead three minutes into the second half when driving through the Subiaco defence and her shot went in off the post.
McAllister got herself on the scoresheet soon after when cutting in from the left and scoring low into the net before adding to her tally with 12 minutes left when rifling in from the edge of the area.
The Hyundai Football West Academy also picked up a 4-0 victory away at Murdoch University Melville to stay third and eight points off top spot.
The Academy led on 21 minutes when Theodora Mouithys showed quick feet in the area to beat her marker and slot into the bottom corner from a tight angle.
Emily Garnett made it 2-0 before the half-hour mark, before two second-half goals rounded out a comfortable win.
Lacey Heys spotted the run of Cate McAuliffe who raced clear to finish one one-on-one past Jemma Skinner. Then Mouithys celebrated her Junior Matildas call-up by driving into the box and finding the corner again. MUM FC remain six points adrift at the bottom of the league with two games remaining as they aim to avoid potential relegation.
- The Women’s State Cup semi-finals will take place this Wednesday. Bacatta Etna are at home to Perth RedStar while Fremantle City host the Hyundai Football West Academy (both 7pm).
