Strong-finishing Subi kick off season with a win

An efficient second-half showing ensured Subiaco started their New Balance NPL WA Women’s season on a high as they won 3-0 at promoted Sorrento FC.

The Gulls gave a good account of themselves in their first top-flight match, but three goals in the final 32 minutes gave Christine Coppin a win in her maiden league match after becoming Subi’s head coach in the off-season.

There were chances for both sides at Percy Doyle Reserve during the first half. Elise Cunningham’s shot was straight at Gulls keeper Amalia Caceres, while the visitors also had several dangerous situations in and around the box.

Sorrento arguably had the best opportunity of the opening 45 when Briana O’Dell pulled off an excellent double save to deny both Daisy Snowden and Stella Zampogna.

Zampogna then flashed wide of the upright early in the second half, but it was Subiaco who broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Mia Hargreaves’ effort following a long free-kick broke the way of Sara Klott, who slotted in.

Sophia Papalia flashed over as the hosts pushed for a leveller, but Subi doubled their lead with eight minutes remaining when Ella Mastrantonio’s free-kick hit the underside of the bar and landed over the line.

Subiaco were out of sight with a couple of minutes remaining when substitute Mabel Wilkinson fired home brilliantly on her left foot from just outside the box.

Elsewhere on Sunday, there were a couple of 2-2 draws.

At Home Group Stadium, Night Series winners Balcatta Etna were held by Hyundai Football West Academy. Etna struck first when Caitlin Doeglas’ pass found Abbey Meakins inside the box and she curled in at the near post with a first-time finish.

Pete Rakic’s side held the advantage until the 78th minute when Ella Lange’s corner was nodded in at the back post by Daniella Santich. Balcatta went back in front with three minutes left as a clearance out of defence was picked off by Meakins with Sofia Nikoloska teeing up Doeglas to take a touch and finish. But the Academy battled back again with Junior Matildas winger Sakura Leong firing brilliantly into the top corner on her left foot from the edge of the box.

That leveller came a minute from time and Etna had the best chances to win it with Nikoloska denied by Daisy McGreadie-Cole, before Frankie Murray headed the resulting corner just wide.

The other 2-2 draw was played out between Fremantle City and Perth RedStar, who met for the second time in a week after facing off in last week’s Night Series third-place play-off.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner Renee Leota had RedStar off and running on eight minutes at Hilton Park when put through by Holly Tancin’s pass to rattle in via the frame of the goal.

Tancin’s screamer from 25 yards quickly doubled the lead for the three-time NPL WA champions, as Chris Atturo’s side made the best possible start to the season.

Freo pulled one back before half-time when Erin Siah’s corner was forced in at the back post by Janice Kiama. Sam Geddes’ side were then level on 61 minutes when Lacey Heys sneaked in behind RedStar’s defence and poked past an onrushing Gabby Dal Busco.

Both teams had their chances to win it, but the points were shared on what was a hot afternoon across the Perth metro region.

Finally, Perth Azzurri began their title defence on Friday night with a 6-0 win over UWA Nedlands at Dorrien Gardens.

The visitors held out last year’s league winners for most of the first half before two late goals had Tom Glavovic’s clear at the interval.

Sam Mathers got the opener with a stunner from 40 yards before Jess Flannery swung home a left-footed effort from wide on the right with almost the last kick of the opening 45.

Flannery’s looping header from a Mathers cross made it 3-0 on 50 minutes, then Maja Archibald played a one-two with Macey McCready and let fly with another long-range strike to make it four after an hour.

Matilda Bohm added the next with a header from a Mathers corner before Ailsa Zindell completed the scoring from Flannery’s cross to notch a first NPL goal for the club.