Report by Tommy Doleman

Ella Lincoln, right, grabbed a point for NTC

Larissa Walsh's stunning solo goal helped league leaders Northern Redbacks come from behind to defeat Perth SC 2-1 at Macedonia Park on Friday.

The win moved Carlos Vega Mena's side three points clear at the top of the league after Murdoch University Melville were held to a 1-1 draw by third-place Hyundai NTC.

Perth, however, will drop out of the top four should either Balcatta or Fremantle City win when they play their Round Nine matches over the long weekend.

Yet the Azzurri started in outstanding fashion on and off the ball against Redbacks and took the lead after five minutes when Gemma Craine netted her first league goal for Perth after Jaime Duncanson's cross was partially cleared.

Redbacks quickly responded and Jayna Ridley forced Rebecca Bennett into a magnificent block after Georgia Cawley's effort bounced back off the bar, before Ridley threaded a pass through for Sarah Carroll to fire across Bennett and make it 1-1 with her fourth goal of the season.

Perth striker Liana Cook was denied by Maya Diederichsen in the shadows of half-time and Perth continued to press in the second period as Tessa De Leo hit the bar and Abbey Meakins curled just wide.

Despite their excellent football at times, Perth lacked punch in the final third and they rued missed those opportunities when Walsh provided the decisive moment 12 minutes from time.

The speedster left the Azzurri's defence flat-footed, sprinting from beyond halfway then sliding the ball past Bennett for her sixth of the season. The result ensured Redbacks maintained their 100% win record over Perth in the NPL era.

Last season's Top Four Cup winners will end the weekend with a handy buffer on the chasing pack after MUM FC dropped points against NTC at Wormall Civil Stadium.

Tia Stonehill had the first chance for the defending champions but sliced wide of Lily Bailey's goal, then Sadie Lawrence headed over from close range.

Lawrence had another effort saved from Katarina Jukic's cross, while at the other end Tijan McKenna fired off NTC's first real effort in a half where the visitors played some nice football but hardly tested Danelle Cornish.

The breakthrough arrived three minutes before half time as 2020 Golden Boot winner Jukic collected Baxter Thew's pass and slammed in her 10th goal this season.

NTC almost pulled level when Georgia Cassidy nearly caught out Cornish and the youngsters eventually found a leveller midway through the second half to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

Taneesha Baker provided the assist for a second straight game as the usually reliable Thew miscued and Ella Lincoln sneaked in to score her fifth of the campaign.

Baker and Monique Prinsloo both forced Cornish into saves as NTC chased the win, while at the other end substitute Ellie LaMonte fired straight at Bailey as both teams had to settle for a point.

Results

Murdoch University Melville 1-1 Hyundai NTC
Northern Redbacks 2-1 Perth SC

Fixtures

Saturday 5pm
Curtin University v Balcatta

Monday 5pm
Subiaco v Fremantle City