Report by Tommy Doleman

Christiane Astorp (No.8) celebrates with her Balcatta teammates during the Night Series win over MUM FC. Photo by Football West

Balcatta will look to continue their revival in Round 11 of the NPLWA - Women’s competition on Sunday when they host Subiaco at Grindleford Reserve.

The hosts have won back-to-back league games after a four-match winless run which threatened to derail the Night Series winners’ league ambitions.

They now sit outside of the top four on goal difference only, while also progressing to the final four of the State Cup following Monday’s penalty shoot-out win over Perth SC.

Balcatta will also be participating in the #PlayInPurple2021 campaign, which will see them wear purple socks to help raise awareness for pancreatic cancer.

They will face a Subiaco side still looking for their first league win in 2021. However, Balcatta forward Christiane Astorp says the team will not be taking anything for granted as they look for a repeat of last week’s strong showing at Curtin University.

“We really needed that win (5-0 against Curtin). It was important confidence-wise for us moving forward,” Astorp said.

“We started this season off well and then played Murdoch who came out firing after we beat them in the Night Series Final. I think we had surprised a few teams with the style we were playing and after that win and every team wanted to beat us because we won the final.

“Teams probably wanted to try and figure out how to stop us, so we’ve changed it up a little but have also been unfortunate with injuries. Hopefully we’ve got out of it now, because it’s looking good in training and we have started winning again.

“We won last time we played Subiaco in the first game of the season but we know it’s going to be a really tough game which won’t be a walk in the park.”

Astorp joined Balcatta in 2017 after a football adventure which saw her start out at hometown club Valerenga FC in Norway before a spell in the US with Seattle Sounders in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).

Astorp also trained at Kolbotn IL alongside inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or winner and fellow Norwegian Ada Hegerberg, who is currently the all-time leading UEFA Women’s Champions League scorer. But playing for the team she supported growing up still remains a career highlight.

“Valerenga was the team I supported and eventually played for. I followed them on the men’s and women’s side and was as a played through the divisions at the club,” she said.

“It was amazing. I watched every single game as a kid, so to play for the women’s team was special and it’s always going to be a big part of me.

“I loved playing in America, too. Going over and playing in that environment, the style of play was physical and more of a fight while in Norway it was technical with the ball being played and moving quicker.

“Here, I feel it’s a little bit of both. To play in three different countries with three different styles of play, I feel it’s helped me become a better player. It’s been an amazing and memorable journey.”

Astorp also reflected on the positive trajectory that women’s football has taken throughout her experiences around the world. It’s something which excites her looking ahead as women’s sport and in particular continues to gain momentum.

“It’s been amazing to see how quickly women’s football is turning around. When I started playing, if I look back now and compare it to five, six or even 10 years ago there’s a massive difference,” she added.

“We still have a long way to go, but in England we have the WSL which has developed, it’s covered and we’re able to see it on TV, whereas back in the day it wasn’t. The top level in Norway has also changed from when I played there.

“Even from when I came to the Women’s Premier League here in 2017 to the NPL now, it’s also different. The opportunities for professionalism is what we are starting to develop which is amazing to see.”

Tim Cash’s fifth-placed side will hope to capitalise on the teams above them all meeting each other this weekend, with league leaders Northern Redbacks hosting fourth-placed Hyundai NTC on Friday at Macedonia Park.

The Redbacks currently sit three points clear of MUM FC, who also play on Friday night away to Fremantle City. Cisco Jorquera’s Fremantle side returned to winning ways against Subiaco on Monday and they come into this clash having never lost to the defending champions in the league.

Finally, Perth SC will be eager to arrest a two-game losing streak at home to Curtin on Sunday, but Morrison Deane’s side took points off the Azzurri earlier in the season and won 2020’s corresponding fixture at Dorrien Gardens with a late Jess Darmago goal.

Fixtures

Friday

Northern Redbacks v Hyundai NTC (7pm)
Fremantle City v Murdoch University Melville (7.30pm)

Sunday (both 3pm)

Perth SC v Curtin University
Balcatta v Subiaco