Hyundai NTC reached the summit of the NPLWA – Women’s competition after two late goals gave them a 3-1 win over previous leaders Perth SC in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash at Dorrien Gardens.
These were the first goals conceded by the Azzurri in the league this season and by extension their first league defeat in 2023, while NTC now sit two points clear with four wins from four matches and with a game in hand.
The youngsters went in front on 17 minutes when Mia Britton surged down the right and picked out Klaudia Houlis, who scored at the back post for her third goal in two league outings.
Alyssa Van Heurck headed Abbey Meakins’ free-kick narrowly wide in response, but Perth didn’t have to wait too long to draw level with Ellie La Monte sliding the ball past Lilly Bailey for her sixth goal of the season.
Georgia Cassidy’s free-kick hit the bar and La Monte’s deflected effort struck the base of the post as the match went into half-time finely poised.
Mischa Anderson of NTC and Perth's Poppie Hooks were required to block goalbound efforts as both sides threatened after the restart before two goals in the final seven minutes decided matters for the visitors.
NTC were awarded a penalty when Cassidy went to ground in the area, with Liana Cook collecting a second yellow card for the hosts who ended the game with 10 players.
Cassidy scored her third spot-kick this term to make it 2-1 and as numbers were thrown forward by Perth in search of a leveller, they conceded a third to rubberstamp NTC’s status as league leaders. Maja Archibald released substitute Louise Tana into the penalty area and the forward finished the job to ensure a fifth straight league win for Ben Anderton’s side over Perth.
The top three sides are now separated by two points as defending champions Perth RedStar joined Perth SC on 10 points following a 3-0 win over Balcatta Etna.
Two goals from Japanese midfielder Reina Kagami contributed to the victory. The first of those was a curling strike from the edge of the area early in the second half after the home side capitalised on a turnover in Balcatta’s half.
Four minutes later and the defending champions doubled their lead when Quyen Doan was first to react after Olivia Wood’s effort came bar off the bar. The former squared across the six-yard box for Renee Leota to finish from close range.
Kagami then capped the win with another sweet strike, this time on her left foot, as RedStar made it four unbeaten while Balcatta are without a win since Round One against bottom-of-the-table Curtin.
The day’s other game saw Fremantle City move into the top four following a 1-0 win over Subiaco at Hilton Park.
Maya Spatafore found Katarina Jukic who threaded a pass through for Jamie-Lee Gale to lift the game’s decisive goal into the back of the net on 54 minutes.
Subiaco almost rescued a late point as Dayle Schroeder made a double save from Marianna Tabain’s free-kick and Frankie Murray’s follow-up effort.
On Friday night, Murdoch University Melville squared their season at two wins and two losses when they defeated Curtin University 10-0.
They were frustrated by the visitors for 19 minutes at Besteam Stadium, but Vanessa Miller would race clear, poke past the goalkeeper and strike into an empty net to open the scoring.
Miller swiped home a second after the ball broke her way, but Curtin nearly pulled one back moments later when Kiana Sumitani’s strike from the left crashed back off the post.
Jessica Johnson’s tiptoed past a couple of challenges and fired in to make it three for the home side, and Miller completed a 16-minute hat-trick with a stylish chip for 4-0 at the break.
A minute after the restart, Samantha Mathers finished from close range following Charli Wainwright’s mazy run, and skipper Wainwright made it a half-dozen with a stunning strike from the corner of the penalty area.
Mathers’ pinpoint finish brought up seven and Hoarau added to MUM FC’s highlights reel with a left-footed curler into the top corner on the hour mark.
Johnson’s close-range finish and an excellent team move capped by Wainwright completed the scoring as MUM FC ended the weekend a point outside of the top four.
Curtin, meanwhile, have lost their opening five games and have yet to score a goal.
Round Five results
Balcatta Etna 0-3 Perth RedStar
Fremantle City 1-0 Subiaco
MUM FC 10-0 Curtin University
Perth SC 1-3 Hyundai NTC