Perth SC remain a point clear at the top of the NPLWA - Women’s competition following a 5-0 win over Subiaco at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday afternoon.
Not a lot changed in Round 11 as the top four teams all recorded big wins against bottom-four opponents, with the season passing its halfway mark this weekend.
Subi were able to frustrate the league leaders until the 44th minute when Georgia Cassidy’s cross was turned across goal by Sam Mathers and finished by Ella Lincoln.
A patient Perth move led to the second goal 10 minutes after the restart with Tijan McKenna’s long-range effort coming back off the bar and hitting an unfortunate Monique Todd in the Subiaco goal.
Soon after, it was three when Jess Flannery collected Lincoln’s pass and curled low into the bottom corner.
Two goals in the final 10 minutes added gloss to the scoreline. Flannery squared for Mathers to make it 4-0, before Epril Nossent sneaked forward from defence to finish from close range.
The win means Perth stay top of the pops with a game in hand on their immediate title rivals. RedStar are in second place after coming from behind to defeat Fremantle City 4-1 in Sunday’s other fixture.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Fremantle took the lead five minutes before the interval when Abbey Green’s cross from the left caused problems in the RedStar defence and Erin Siah nodded over the line at the second attempt.
The reigning champions were level early in the second half when Renee Leota’s initial shot was blocked by Annabelle Leek and Jay Coleman lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and in.
Leota’s drive from distance ensured RedStar had turned the game around by the 53rd minute, and they were in a stronger position moments later when Jayna Ridley pickpocketed Tatem Spencer and ran in to finish emphatically across the goalkeeper.
Sophie Meaden’s shot hit the underside of the bar as Sam Geddes’ side pushed to get one back. But Sarah Carroll’s free-kick was volleyed in by Caitlin Doeglas late on to confirm a sixth RedStar win in a row, while Freo are now 10 points off fourth place.
The Hyundai Football West Academy are third in the cluster of three teams separated by two points at the top of the league after winning 4-0 over bottom side MUM FC.
Ava Santos teed up Theo Mouithys, who stepped around an opponent and rifled high into the net for the opening goal on 11 minutes.
Klaudia Houlis doubled the lead from the penalty spot despite Murdoch keeper Kaitlyn Mohan getting a glove to the spot kick.
A flowing Academy move early in the second period resulted in an Ana Denona own goal for 3-0, before Xuri Dalton’s stunning free-kick 18 minutes from time sealed a strong home display.
Finally, Balcatta Etna scored five second-half goals to put UWA Nedlands away 8-3 at Home Group Stadium.
Lucy Jerram capitalised on a loose pass out of defence to strike first time into the back of the net on eight minutes.
UWA levelled after a quarter of an hour when Chloe Rodrigo intercepted Rebecca Bennett’s clearance and lifted first time over goalkeeper Bec Bennett from range.
Jerram’s shot was followed by Abbey Meakins to restore Etna’s lead, but Uni levelled again from distance with Emily Dinsdale this time beating Bennett.
Zoee Spadano’s reverse pass was rolled into the corner by Meakins to make it three before Jerram raced clear to dispatch past UWA stopper Madison Large for 4-2 at the break.
Meakins threaded through for Gale to round the goalkeeper and make five, only for UWA to reduce the arrears and make it 5-3 with Dinsdale lobbing home on her left foot.
Balcatta had a sixth soon after when Spadano put it on a plate for Liana Cook to net from close range, before Meakins’ stunning curler from the edge of the box put her to 10 goals for the season and finally had Balcatta out of reach.
Cook followed in to complete the scoring after Jamie-Lee Gale was foiled one-on-one by the goalkeeper as Balcatta won their fourth game in a row to set up a tantalising clash with leaders Perth next weekend.