Perth RedStar recorded a fourth successive win after coming out on top in a pulsating Belt Up Regional Cup clash against the Hyundai Football West Academy at Hay Park in Bunbury.
Saturday's 3-2 victory in wet and windy conditions saw the reigning champions leapfrog their opponents in the standings and briefly go top of the league, before Perth SC's big win over Murdoch University Melville 24 hours later.
NPLW RESULTS, FIXTURES & STANDINGS
RedStar started well, with Sarah Carroll’s volley swerving just wide and Caitlin Doeglas’ shot saved by Daisy McGreadie-Cole. And their pressure told on 23 minutes when Jayna Ridley held off two defenders and slotted past the goalkeeper.
Either side of the goal, the Academy had chances. Sakura Leong hit the outside of the post, before the winger pulled back only for Cate McAuliffe to shoot over.
Then, on 38 minutes, Chris Atturo’s side doubled their lead when they capitalised on a mistake at the back and Renee Leota teed up Carroll to score.
But right on half-time, the Academy pulled one back. Leong again provided the industry down the right and Klaudia Houlis arrived to finish at the second time of asking.
An open second period began with McGreadie-Cole saving a Doeglas penalty to keep the youngsters in the game and they made the most of their reprieve when Houlis made it 2-2 on 66 minutes. RedStar keeper Jess Skinner misplaced a pass and was then caught off her line, allowing the Academy captain to put the ball into the vacant net from long range.
There was time for more drama, though, when McGreadie-Cole missed a back-pass from Marley Barlow and the ball rolled into the net for an unfortunate own goal. That proved to be the decisive moment in the game despite Skinner saving one-on-one from Theodora Mouithys deep in stoppage time.
Despite RedStar’s win in the South West, it was Perth SC who ended Round Nine at the top of the NPLWA - Women’s competition following an 8-0 win at MUM FC.
Kim McCartney forced home in scrappy fashion after an Azzurri corner, before the returning Tijan McKenna made it two with a stunning strike into the top corner from range.
Jess Flannery finished a Sam Mathers cross, McCartney scored from a free-kick and then Hannah Collins bagged her first goal of the season with a drive across the goalkeeper as Perth had five by half-time.
Louise Tana made it six after the break when poking in Matilda Bohm’s high looping cross, before Mathers and Bohm both added set piece goals to complete the scoring.
Elsewhere, there was a big result in the race for the top four as Balcatta Etna came from a goal down to defeat Fremantle City 3-1 at Hilton Park.
Freo went in front on 12 minutes when Janice Kiama’s superb pass picked out Leyna Wood, who rifled high into the net for her fourth goal of the season.
Balcatta levelled nine minutes later when Jamie-Lee Gale crossed for Abbey Meakins to nod in, before Meakins scored from the penalty spot after a handball was spotted by the referee.
Gale put the game to bed seven minutes from the end when picking up Carys Davis’ pass and running in to rifle past Megan Phillips in the Fremantle goal. Etna are now three points clear of fifth-placed Subiaco ahead of the pair’s meeting in a catch-up game this Wednesday evening.
Finally, UWA Nedlands recorded their second win in three matches as they defeated local rivals Subiaco 3-2 at Rosalie Park.
Emily Dinsdale’s corner was met by Andrea Preiato to put the visitors ahead, before Chloe Gaspar’s free-kick from distance flew into the top corner and Uni were up 2-0 inside the opening half hour.
Subi were back in the contest within a minute of the restart as Sophia Papalia’s cross was controlled and finished by Marianna Tabain. But Uni restored their two goal cushion when Emily Dinsdale was first to loose ball to stab in following a Gaspar free kick from wide out.
Greta Bailey slipped through for Tabain to pull one back before stoppage time, but UWA held firm to claim a second victory of the season which puts them six points clear of the relegation zone and avenged a 9-0 Women's State Cup loss to Subi only last week.