Perth SC have taken pole position in pursuit of their first NPLWA – Women’s title after defeating UWA Nedlands 2-1 at Dorrien Gardens.
The Azzurri's fifth win in a row saw them move seven points clear at the summit of the division, while UWA remain second bottom despite a credible effort against the league leaders.
Jess Flannery was denied one-on-one by Uni stopper Francesca Carr midway through the first half, but Perth did take the lead on 35 minutes courtesy of Maja Archibald’s first-time shot on the turn which flew into the bottom corner from range.
However, UWA manufactured a near-immediate response when Dayle Schroeder’s heavy touch from a Kim McCartney back pass allowed Taylor Reid to steal in and equalise.
Perth continued to press against the stubborn visitors, and they found the game’s winning goal on 67 minutes when Georgia Cassidy’s free-kick from wide on the left curled in at the near post.
Perth RedStar are up to second place in the standings as three second-half goals saw them run away with a 4-1 win over Subiaco.
The three-time champions led on 20 minutes when Renee Leota threaded a gorgeous through pass to Caitlin Doeglas, who made no mistake with an assured finish.
Doeglas scored her second a minute into the second period when looping a volley up and over Amalia Caceres from Lauren Continibali’s cross.
RedStar made it three when Carla Bennett stole the ball off Tayna Campos in midfield and played a one-two with Leota before superbly curling home.
Subi got a goal back through some individual brilliance from Jaalah Rudd, who beat two players and executed the perfect chip over Gabby Dal Busco.
But the hosts would wrap it up with Leota getting herself on the scoresheet from long range after a turnover in the middle of the park. That meant back-to-back wins for Chris Atturo’s team, who head to in-form Fremantle City next weekend looking to keep the pressure on leaders Perth.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
Freo will go into that game full of confidence after a 5-1 victory over the Football West Academy which was their fifth win in their last six matches.
Sakura Leong was one of two Academy players called up to the Emerging Matildas squad during the week, and she almost opened the scoring when bursting down the right and seeing her shot saved by Megan Phillips.
Fremantle then turned defence into attack and led moments later when Abbey Green’s pass reached Mikayla Lyons, who nodded into her own path before rattling across the goalkeeper and in.
The home side swiftly doubled their lead on 13 minutes when Sophie Meaden played a give-and-go with Green and continued her run to slip past the goalkeeper.
Leyna Wood’s back-post header from a corner had City three-up at the break, and three points were all but set in stone four minutes into the second period when Meaden released Green to fire across Daisy McGreadie-Cole.
Freo’s five-star showing was complete when Green found Lyons, who had it taken off her toes by Meaden who finished to score her seventh goal of the campaign. The win moved Sam Geddes’ side to within four points of fourth-placed Balcatta Etna, whose fixture with Murdoch University Melville was washed out on another wet and windy afternoon in Perth.
The Academy’s bright spot of a tough afternoon came with seven minutes remaining when debutant Ella Lange scored her first senior NPL goal direct from a corner. It proved only to be a consolation, though, and Stephen Walmsley’s side dropped to third and are eight points off the pace.