Report by Tommy Doleman

Sadie Lawrence scored twice in MUM FC's 3-0 win at Balcatta. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Murdoch University Melville maintained top spot and their two-point advantage in the NPLWA – Women’s competition after both they and Northern Redbacks won on Sunday.

Defending champions MUM FC had to be patient before breaking down Balcatta at Grindleford Reserve and eventually running out 3-0 winners.

It was a similar tale for Redbacks, who won 2-0 at Subiaco on a less than ideal playing surface.

In fact, the top three sides all won away from home in Round 19, as Fremantle City came from behind to down Curtin University 2-1.

It took Murdoch until the last minute of the first half to breakthrough when Tia Stonehill's corner was headed in by Poppie Hooks via Janelle St Pierre's touch on the line.

Balcatta almost equalised hen Meg Godding arrived late at the back post but was unable to turn in Christi Astorp's strike. But then MUM FC put the game away with two Sadie Lawrence goals in nine minutes.

Her first was a volley and her second a classy finish from Grace Betti's pass with made it nine for the season.

The midfielder was denied a hat-trick by a great save by Gabby Dal Busco, but it mattered little.

Northern Redbacks kept tabs with the leaders and can go top if they also beat Balcatta in their catch-up match at ECU Joondalup this Wednesday night.

They were given an early scare at Subiaco when Dylan Davidson forced Maya Diederichesen to tip over the bar, but Redbacks hit the front on 19 minutes.

Jacinta Coleman's superb through ball was perfectly weighted for speedster Larissa Walsh, who ran through, rounded Subi goalkeeper Marissa Pidgeon and slotted in a 13^th of the season which moved her top in the Golden Boot race.

Pidgeon got down low to save from Sarah Carroll early in the second period, but Redbacks gave themselves a decisive two-goal cushion 20 minutes before time.

Sarah Carroll cut the ball back for Olivia Wood and she netted for the first time since Round 10.

The day's final game saw Fremantle City recovered from an early setback to defeat Curtin University 2-1, which maintain their stranglehold on third place.

All the goals came in the first half and it was Curtin who made a fast start. Erin Hannaway capitalised on a miscommunication at the back to head in her first NPLW goal after three minutes.

But despite the early reverse City turned it around. Youngster Ella Hoy collected the ball, beat a defender and fired an effort past Stacey Cavill from outside the box.

Clare Woods completed the comeback when she cannoned home from the edge of the area via the inside of the post.

That is how it stayed as Garry Church's side won back-to-back games and sit seven points clear of fifth place leading into the final two weeks of the campaign.

On Saturday, Perth SC moved back into the top four with a 4-0 win over Hyundai NTC at Dorrien Gardens.

It was a must-win game for Danielle Brogan's side who sit a point clear of Balcatta and Saturday’s opponents.

They got off to a perfect start when Gemma Craine blazed down the right and scored inside two minutes.

Monique Prinsloo could have made it 1-1 had it not been for a good save by Rebecca Bennett, but Perth doubled their lead when top-scorer Jaime Duncanson curled home from the edge of the area.

Ella Lincoln fired straight at Bennett. But having played 48 hours earlier against MUM FC, NTC’s intensity dropped off and the fresher Perth added two second-half goals to move fourth.

Craine scored her second of the game and fourth of the season with a super strike from 30 yards, before Abbey Meakins tapped in late-on to complete the win.

Results

Balcatta 0-3 MUM FC
Curtin University 1-2 Fremantle City
Perth SC 4-0 Hyundai NTC
Subiaco 0-2 Northern Redbacks