Report by Tommy Doleman
Perth RedStar took control of fourth place in the New Balance NPL WA Women’s competition as they defeated fifth-placed Hyundai Football West Academy 3-1 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
RedStar’s Round 16 victory was a first win in four games, and a timely one to open up a five-point gap on their opponents as Adam Kirk’s team look to shore up a post-season finish.
The Academy, meanwhile, have lost three games in a row but will have a chance to claw points back when they play the bottom three sides over the next three weeks.
RedStar led on 17 minutes when Renee Leota released Grace Monteiro, who turned back and teed up Sarah Carroll to finish from just inside the box.
The Academy levelled two minutes later when Savanna Glavovic floated in a cross for Piper Dowe to score first time past Gabby Dal Busco. But RedStar restored their advantage soon after when Toko Satsuma curled in her first goal of the campaign from Leota’s lay-off.
The home side almost hit straight back as Cate McAuliffe tried her luck with a free-kick from 30 yards which hit the bar. Then after the restart, Glavovic played a one-two with Dowe before forcing Dal Busco into a good save, with the goalkeeper tipping around the post.
RedStar gave themselves a two-goal cushion on 73 minutes which proved to be a match-winning lead. Andreia Teixera’s cross swirled in the wind to dip under the crossbar and deceive substitute goalkeeper Grace Sciascia-Walsh with the defender netting for the first time since 2023.
It ended 3-1 with RedStar in the box seat to maintain their run of qualifying for every Top Four Cup in the NPL era.
On Friday night, Perth Azzurri maintained their push towards back-to-back league titles after a 1-0 win away at Sorrento FC.
Amalia Caceres made a double save from Daisy McAllister and Grace Warburton as the visitors made most of the running in a goalless first half.
Ella Lincoln put a good chance wide of the post in the second half and then Sam Mathers put over the bar as Perth continued to be wasteful in front of goal.
Former Perth midfielder Georgia Cassidy almost caught Dayle Schroeder off guard with an attempt from behind halfway. However, Perth eventually broke through 12 minutes from time when Macey McCready won the ball in midfield, advanced toward goal and rifled home a screamer from outside the area.
There was no change to the top of the table as the top four sides all won in Round 16 with unbeaten Azzurri maintaining a nine-point lead.
Fremantle City stay in second place after defeating Subiaco 2-0 at Hilton Park which gave Sam Geddes’ side a third win in a row.
Subiaco had an early sniff of a chance as Liana Cook almost latched onto a short back pass from Alex Poad with Cassia Souza clearing out the danger.
Freo’s Erin Siah was denied by a combination of Brianna O’Dell and the post, before Subi’s American goalkeeper denied compatriot Leyna Wood with a one-on-one save as the first half ended goalless.
Two goals in the space of three second half minutes ultimately separated the sides as Freo kept their winning run going. Lacey Heys fed Wood who unselfishly squared for Ischia Brooking to make it goals in back-to-back games.
Brooking then supplied a terrific cross soon after for Siah to take a touch and fire past O’Dell into the bottom corner.
Substitute Maia Stiles hit the crossbar with Subi’s best chance of pulling one back, but they ultimately fell short and are now eight points off fourth place.
In Sunday’s other game, two goals from Caitlin Doeglas gave third placed Balcatta Etna a 2-1 win over bottom side UWA Nedlands. Etna stay a point behind Freo.
Uni picked up a point the last time these sides met and frustrated Pete Rakic’s team again until the 69th minute. The deadlock was eventually broken when Jamie-Lee Gale pulled across to Doeglas who took a touch and volleyed brilliantly past Janina Sauer.
Carla Bennett’s pass on 87 minutes was then chested down and volleyed into the bottom corner by Doeglas to bring up 13 goals for the season which puts her four goals clear in the Golden Boot race.
Beth Harries scored a sensational goal from distance in stoppage time to halve the deficit, but it was too little, too late as UWA remain three points from safety.
