Football West News

Fremantle City player congratulate goalscorer Mikayla Lyons. Photo by FotoEnzo

Fremantle City claimed their third victory of the NPLWA Women’s season after Mikayla Lyons’ first-half goal gave them a 1-0 win over Balcatta in the rearranged Round Six fixture on Wednesday night.

The match was originally scheduled to be played at Balcatta 10 days ago but was postponed due to the waterlogged surface.

With Grindleford Reserve not having lights to put on a night game, it was moved to the synthetic surface of Murdoch University Melville. And top-of-the-table hosts MUM FC would have welcomed this result almost as much as Freo, as it prevented Balcatta from moving to within two points of them.

The solitary goal arrived shortly before half-time when Lyons sprung the Balcatta offside trap and latched on to Georgie Ireland’s pass before firing across keeper Gabby Dal Busco and into the far corner.

Fremantle, who had already hit the woodwork twice through Jamie-Lee Gale and Gemma Craine, nearly added a second moments later but Isabelle Bridger’s effort drifted narrowly wide.

At the other end Dayle Schroeder kept out Caitlin Doeglas before the City stopper was almost embarrassed by Cassie Harvey’s chip.

Schroeder was on top form after the break, denying Harvey and Ashleigh Panaia, as Fremantle moved above Hyundai NTC and into fifth spot.

Balcatta had scored in all six of their previous league games, including Sunday’s 11-0 demolition of Subiaco. But they could find no way past Schroeder and her defenders, who also shut out free-scoring leaders MUM FC on the weekend.

This match was also notable as being the first Football West NPL fixture with all-female officials. Jess Byrd was the referee while Caleigh Ormerod and Libby Caldwell were the assistants.

Teams and match details