Epril Nossent’s hat-trick helped Perth SC to a 7-0 win away at Subiaco, ensuring they kept pace with leaders Perth RedStar after Round 14 of the NPLWA - Women’s competition.
RedStar remain two points ahead of Perth SC after a weekend where the top four sides all won easily, while the defeats for NTC and Subiaco this weekend leave them with work to do to qualify for the post-season Top Four Cup.
The Azzurri led on seven minutes when Ella Lincoln’s low long-range effort brought up the striker’s 17th goal of the campaign.
Baxter Thew headed in Sam Mathers’ corner and then Nossent followed in after Lincoln’s shot was saved to make it 3-0 at the break.
The goals kept coming after the restart with Grace Johnson’s peach of a cross headed in by Charli Wainwright via the post, which was the midfielder's first NPLW goal for Perth.
Crosses from Nossent and Johnson from the right side flew in to make it five and six, before Nossent fired in at the near post late on to complete her treble and a big Perth win.
RedStar are still the team to chase after a ruthless second-half showing which saw them win 7-1 over Hyundai NTC at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Saturday.
The visitors were on the quick turnaround after Wednesday’s Hyundai Women’s State Cup semi-final win and went in front on 18 minutes when Manami Arai’s effort crashed back off the post and Quyen Doan was there to score.
Reina Kagami’s wonder strike from 40 yards doubled the lead, but NTC pulled one back late in the opening period with Nelli Johnson’s free-kick headed in by Hannah Collins.
RedStar’s two-goal cushion was restored with the last kick of the half as Olivia Wood stepped past her opponent and curled in stylishly to make it 3-1.
Wood’s struck her second of the afternoon to make it four before Kagami picked out compatriot Arai who finished past Phillips from a tight angle with 18 minutes left.
The reigning champions had a sixth almost immediately as Jayna Ridley threaded through for Renee Leota to roll into the corner, with Ridley’s late looping header completing the scoring.
Balcatta Etna returned to winning ways following back-to-back losses to RedStar by winning 6-0 against UWA Nedlands.
Peter Rakic’s side opened the scoring on 16 minutes as Abbey Meakins’ free-kick crashed back off the bar and Alyssa Van Heurck headed home the rebound for her maiden NPLW goal.
Tia Stonehill made it 2-0 with a free-kick from just outside the box, before Kat Jukic brilliantly headed in Meakins’ corner.
Liana Cook beat the offside trap from Zoee Spadano’s pass to make it 4-0, before two quick goals early in the second half ensured Balcatta eased to victory.
Meakins’ long-distance free-kick skidded past Morgan Springer, and 60 seconds later Carys Davis teed up Jukic to lift a terrific chip over the goalkeeper.
Finally, Fremantle City cemented their place in the top four after four first-half goals from Tanika Lala saw them win 9-0 against Murdoch University Melville.
Erin Siah began the scoring when beating her marker to a through ball and then rounding the goalkeeper to slot in.
Lala then struck a three-minute hat-trick with the first coming after Siah’s shot from Abbey Green’s cross was blocked with the rebound breaking for the Goldfields forward to score.
Green poked through for Lala to finish with the outside of the boot, before the pair combined again with Lala planting a firm header into the net from Green’s cross to the back stick.
Janice Kiama’s deflected volley, Green’s long-range strike and then Lala’s one-on-one finish from Clara Hoarau’s pass made it 7-0 at half-time and basically job done.
Lala turned provider after the restart with Alex Poad the beneficiary to cut inside on her left foot and drill into the corner.
Mikayla Lyons came off the bench to get on the scoresheet late on as she side-footed home Green’s cross.