Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth RedStar have qualified for the Top Four Cup on the final day of the New Balance NPL WA Women’s regular season following a 2-0 win over champions Perth Azzurri.
RedStar’s first win in six matches ensured they started and ended the afternoon in fourth place, despite Subiaco putting the pressure on Adam Kirk’s team with a win at UWA Nedlands.
It also extends RedStar’s record of qualifying for every NPL Top Four Cup since the competition’s inception in 2020.
The Azzurri’s defeat failed to dampen their title celebrations as they were presented with their second successive league title after the game. Tom Glavovic’s team secured the title last week and finished the season a point ahead of Balcatta Etna. But they enter this Saturday’s Construction Training Fund Women’s State Cup final against Etna on a four-game winless run.
RedStar were resilient in a goalless first half where Azzurri piled on the pressure, the longer the half wore on. Daisy McAllister crashed a shot against the bar before Ella Lincoln forced RedStar keeper Gabby Dal Busco to tip over in the shadows of half-time.
With Subiaco leading at UWA Sports Park, RedStar knew they probably had to win as the second half opened up for both teams.
Klaudia Houlis denied Azzurri’s Sam Mathers with a last-ditch tackle, before Houlis had the hosts’ best chance on 63 minutes when her poke towards goal was excellently turned around the post by Dayle Schroeder.
Grace Monteiro twice cleared off the line from Macey McCready and Charli Wainwright headers around the midway mark of the second period as Azzurri threatened. But the game turned on 72 minutes when Azzurri’s Ruby Marshall inexplicably handled a bouncing ball above her head, basketball-style.
The defender looked more stunned than anyone at her action, and her expression quickly turned to shock when she was shown a red card. To make matters worse, the officials adjudged the offence to have been committed in the area, so RedStar were awarded a penalty. Sarah Carroll took the spot-kick and though Schroeder dived to her right to save, Nelli Johnson was alert enough to rush in and score from the rebound.
Azzurri striker Lincoln hit the base of the post in response, but no equaliser arrived. Instead, RedStar confirmed a first home win since Round Eight as the game entered stoppage time, with Jayna Ridley latching on to Emily Dunn’s long ball to volley home.
They now travel to Fremantle City for a Top Four Cup elimination semi-final in a fortnight’s time, while Azzurri will host Balcatta to see who goes straight into the final.
Before that Azzurri and Balcatta meet in the State Cup final and there is some good news for the league champions heading into the game. The club have successfully appealed Marshall’s red-card decision and she is free to play at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
RedStar’s win proved to be a sore one for Subiaco who did their bit to make a maiden Top Four Cup appearance by winning 3-0 at UWA Nedlands.
Liana Cook sneaked in behind the Uni defence to dink over Janina Sauer on 18 minutes, before Ella Mastrantonio’s free kick made it a two-goal lead at the interval.
Catherine Curwood-Wagner rattled home from the edge of the box in stoppage time as Subi won for the fourth time in five matches. But despite their highest points total in the NPL era they miss out on the post-season, while UWA Nedlands finished bottom of the league.
Elsewhere, Balcatta Etna secured a double chance in a bid to defend their Top Four Cup by beating Sorrento FC 2-0 at Percy Doyle Reserve.
Two first half goals from Jamie-Lee Gale got the job done for Pete Rakic’s team who extended their unbeaten run to nine matches. The opener came on 21 minutes after Catilin Doeglas’ shot was spilled by Amalia Caceres with Gale on hand to score on the follow-up.
It was a similar story for the second goal on the half hour mark with Meakins’ drive not held by the goalkeeper and Gale tucking away an eighth goal of the season.
Despite the defeat, Sorrento stayed up in their first top flight season and ended the year three points clear of bottom side UWA.
Finally, Olivia Trueman scored a late winner as Fremantle City ended their regular season on a high with a 2-1 win over the Football West Academy.
Freo led late in the first half courtesy of a brilliant long range volley from Tanika Lala which saw her make it 11 goals for the season.
The striker ended 2026 as the joint-second top scorer in the league behind Golden Boot winner Caitilin Doeglas (15).
After the break, Savanna Glavovic stole possession off Alex Poad just inside the Freo half on 72 minutes, and burst forward to finish and make it goals in back-to-back matches.
But Trueman provided the late twist a minute from time with the substitute first to react after Grace Sciascia-Walsh saved Lala’s low attempt.
