Fremantle City and Perth SC shared the points in a 1-1 draw as both teams lost ground in their respective races in Round Eight of the NPLWA - Women’s competition.
The Azzurri had to play the whole second half with 10 players after Georgia Cassidy’s red card, but still went in front through leading scorer Ella Lincoln.
City levelled through Sophie Meaden’s first of the season, but the draw favoured neither side as Perth lost ground on frontrunners Perth RedStar, while Freo slipped further from fourth-place Hyundai NTC.
Freo started well and had the better chances in the opening 45 minutes at Hilton Park and should have been ahead. Meaden hit the post with a low effort before Annabelle Leek fired a penalty kick over the crossbar after Sophia Papalia fouled Anna Powell.
Lincoln had Perth’s best opening before half-time when firing straight at Dayle Schroeder, but her side was up against it after the restart when Cassidy was shown a second yellow card for an off-the-ball tangle with Janice Kiama.
Being a player down did not deter the visitors and they led 10 minutes into the second period when Charli Wainwright teed up Lincoln to finish with aplomb for her ninth of the season.
The equaliser came 19 minutes from time as Abbey Green and Meaden combined down the left with the ball eventually breaking for the latter to hammer home past Lily Bailey.
Schroeder’s double stop from recent recruit Tijan McKenna and Lincoln was the best chance Perth had to win it, while another Meaden drive was struck at Bailey as the game ended all square.
As a result of Perth’s draw, RedStar are now five points clear at the top following their 5-0 win at Subiaco.
SEE SQUADI FOR NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & TABLE
The leaders took eight minutes to hit the front at Rosalie Park as Reina Kagami timed her run perfectly to latch on to Andrea Teixiera’s long pass and score.
Kagami then linked up with Renee Leota as a slick one-two saw the Japanese curl home a second of afternoon, before defender Quyen Doan made it goals in back-to-back matches when finishing a loose ball from a corner.
It was 4-0 at half-time when Caitlin Doeglas volleyed in Leota’s cross from the right which all but ensured the points were secured. The rain poured after the restart with RedStar adding one further goal when Kagami slipped through compatriot Manami Arai to score off the bench for a second successive week.
Balcatta Etna are now a point off second-placed Perth after Abbey Meakins’ hat-trick inspired a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Murdoch University Melville.
The visitors came into the game bottom of the league but sprung a surprise on Etna inside seven minutes. Emily Dewar’s corner was headed against the bar by Emma Ylias only for the midfielder to nod in at the second time of asking.
Steve Atkins’ side were frustrating their hosts until the 36th minute when Tia Stonehill was fouled in the box en route to goal and Abbey Meakins dispatched the penalty to net for a third successive game.
Lucy Jerram brought up double figures for the campaign as she burst into the area and made it 2-1 at half-time with a rasping effort into the roof of the net.
A spectacular Meakins free-kick on the hour extended Balcatta’s lead and back-to-back wins were rubber-stamped when the former NTC and Perth Glory midfielder finished Jerram’s cross from six yards to become the league’s leading scorer with 11 goals for the season.
On Saturday, Hyundai NTC maintained their grip on fourth spot with a 4-1 win over UWA Nedlands at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Ben Anderton’s side had lost their previous four games but went in front on 28 minutes. Theodora Mouithys beat Uni goalkeeper Morgan Springer to a loose ball, before stepping around the stopper and slotting in.
The lead didn’t last long though as UWA equalised soon after. Chloe Rodrigo played a one-two with new signing Andrea Preiato before curling a shot which deceived keeper Jess Skinner for a swift leveller.
The promoted side were frustrating the youngsters as they did for long spells back in Round One, but the home side restored their lead early in the second half when Nelli Johnson curled brilliantly into the bottom corner from range.
Junior Matildas goalkeeper Skinner saved from Alexandra Lyons and that proved to be a key intervention as NTC went on to make it 3-1. Lacey Heys crossed from the right for Cate McAuliffe to finish from close range as the pair made their first NPL appearances of the season.
A late fourth was scored to add gloss to the scoreline as Mia Britton capped a magnificent team move involving McAuliffe and Jessica Johnson.
NTC ebnded the weekend five points clear of fifth-place Subiaco while UWA stay second bottom.