Four-strong group at top of table

Report by Ryan Borrett

Captains Jamie Duncanson, right, and Kate Schubert before the Perth SC v Murdoch University Melville clash. Photo by FotoEnzo

Northern Redbacks joined three other teams on six points at the top of the NPLW WA after a 1-0 win over Fremantle City at Kingsway Reserve.

Larissa Walsh’s winner had a slice of good fortune but was enough for Redbacks to move level on points with Murdoch University Melville, Balcatta and Perth SC.

The only goal came on 56 minutes, when the home side were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out in a central position. Fremantle switched off, allowing Kim Carroll to feed Melanie Doeglas down the right. She miscued her cross but the ball sailed over Freo keeper Dayle Schroeder, on to the crossbar and down for Walsh to poke home.

The setback upset the momentum Fremantle had built in the latter stages of the first half, where they looked the more in control of the two sides in a competitive match.

The first half was played at a high tempo but neither side could carve out more than one clear chance.

Redbacks striker Sarah Carroll sliced a great opportunity off target, while Jamie-Lee Gale looked set to give City the lead when she was clean through but Young Matildas keeper Morgan Aquino proved her equal.

After taking the lead the Redbacks defence remained solid and despite the best efforts of player of the match Gemma Craine, Fremantle struggled to create many opportunities.

Perth Glory’s W-League skipper Tash Rigby came close to snatching a last-minute equaliser but her headed effort from a corner whistled over the bar.

With the table so tight and the condensed league season consisting of just 14 games, there is something on every match.

Next up for Redbacks are Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve, while Fremantle will look to avoid a third loss in four when they take on the undefeated Hyundai NTC.

Teams and match details HERE

Leticia McKenna held her nerve to convert an injury-time penalty as Hyundai NTC denied Subiaco an upset win at Rosalie Park.

Subiaco were not expected to offer too much resistance after losing their opening two games 4-0 and 6-0.

But they showed no fear and went ahead on 17 minutes when Jennifer Walsh’s shot squeezed in at the near post.

NTC levelled eight minutes later, Hana Lowry rounding off some neat passing with a good finish.

At that moment the visitors would have fancied their chances but Subiaco dug in, possibly aided by the heavy surface but also displaying plenty of spirit.

Keeper Marissa Pidgeon showed excellent handling and they were rewarded with a second goal 16 minutes from the end. A deep free-kick caused uncertainty between the NTC keeper and defenders and Mk Ward nodded the ball into the open goal.

NTC huffed and puffed in their search for an equaliser but Pidgeon pulled off an excellent diving one-handed save from McKenna.

Then in the third minute of stoppage time Abbey Green got down the wing, only for her cross to be blocked by Gabrielle Morrissey’s left arm. It was harsh on Subiaco but an obvious penalty, and McKenna fired past Pidgeon to rescue NTC’s unbeaten start to the season.

Teams and match details HERE

There were two matches on Saturday, the first at Edinburgh Oval where Balcatta enjoyed a 3-0 win against Curtin University.

All of Balcatta’s goals arrived in the final 25 minutes, with the opener coming out of nowhere.

Curtin turned over possession in the Balcatta half and Monique D'Opera released Angelique Alberts down the right wing. With teammates bombing into the middle expecting a cross, Alberts instead looked up, saw Stacey Cavill off her line and fired an angled drive over the Curtin keeper and into the net.

The second goal came down Curtin’s left. Cassandra Harvey and D’Opera linked up well, the ball was played forward to Ashleigh Panaia who cut inside the box before scoring.

Balcatta took advantage of some tired defending for the third as Harvey crossed for Maddison Schofield to sidefoot into the goal.

Teams and match details HERE

At Dorrien Gardens Perth SC hosted MUM FC as part of a double-header with the Azzurri Men’s NPL team. Unfortunately for the home club they lost both games.

Perth SC’s women’s side went into their match in top spot following excellent wins over Fremantle City and Balcatta. However they were behind after 25 minutes after Ellie La Monte dealt fantastically with a looping ball to fire low past Beck Bennett.

The visitors’ second on 42 minutes was a disaster from a Perth point of view. Bennett came out of her box to deal with Katarina Jukic’s through ball but sliced her clearance in the air. La Monte’s header from 25 yards was on target but seemed to lack enough power to trouble the covering defenders. Unfortunately Toni Walden completely missed the ball and it had enough on it to just cross the line.

From the restart Perth went up the other end and pulled a goal back through Nicola Bolger, who got goalside of Baxter Thew before shooting across Danelle Cornish and into the far corner.

La Monte went close to completing a hat-trick before Jukic headed MUM FC’s third seven minutes from the end.

The jitters seemed to be catching when in the final minute Jess Byrne’s half-hit volley squirmed under Cornish for Perth’s second. But MUM were able to see out the game and take the three points.

Teams and match details HERE




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