Football West News

Jay Coleman beats keeper Lilly Bailey to the ball to head Perth RedStar into the lead. Photo by FotoEnzo

Perth RedStar backed up last weekend's Night Series triumph with a 5-0 win over Hyundai NTC in Round One of the NPLWA – Women’s competition.

The first goal for the team formerly known as Northern Redbacks was scored by Jay Coleman on 12 minutes when she rose highest in the area to nod in Carla Bennett's corner.

A fast start saw the home team double their lead six minutes later at Redstar Arena. Last year's joint-Golden Boot winner Larissa Walsh zipped in behind NTC's defence, rounded Lilly Bailey and scored into an empty net.

Bennett's free-kick stung the palms of Bailey soon after, while NTC's best chance of the half came when Sophie Meaden raced away and shot straight at Shivagni Battaglia.

Shawn Billam fired at Bailey in the second half and Meaden forced Battaglia into a good low save after the restart. But hopes of an NTC comeback faded when Mischa Anderson collected a second yellow card midway through the second half.

RedStar capitalised with three goals in the final 17 minutes to seal an emphatic opening day win. Coleman met Walsh's corner at the near post before Jayna Ridley finished in an assured manner from Olivia Wood's pass.

Almost straight from the kick-off a fifth was added when Ridley's cross was finished superbly by substitute Hannah Insch to cap a memorable first day out for RedStar.

Jamie-Lee Gale returned to the NPLWA with a bang as she scored twice in Fremantle City's 2-0 home win over Curtin University on Sunday.

The former Perth Glory player opened the scoring on 22 minutes as she was left unmarked to bury an effort past Stacey Cavill.

Jess Darmago and Siobhan Longmore tried their luck from outside the area, but Cavill made saves on both occasions to keep the hosts at bay.

The keeper was powerless to prevent the score becoming 2-0, however. Gale collected Alex Poad's pass, ran towards goal and finished calmly to double City's advantage.

Curtin had a couple of good chances to reduce the arrears with Taylor Reid striking both straight at Kaylin Geelhoad.

Last year's Top Four Cup runners-up Perth SC also got off to a winning start as they won 2-0 against Balcatta Etna at Dorrien Gardens.

Peter Rakic was taking charge of his first game with the Azzurri having had league success with Murdoch University Melville in 2020. But they had to wait an hour to break the deadlock against this year's Night Series runner-up as Abbey Meakins scored from the penalty spot.

The sealer wouldn't be scored until second half stoppage time, with substitute Taneesha Baker clinching the win.

Defending champions Murdoch University Melville and Subiaco played out a goalless draw on Friday night to start the season.

Both team's had different personnel on the pitch and in the coaching dugout from last year, as chances in the first half were at a premium. Charlie Wainwright forced a save from Subi’s Zara Board, while Frankie Murray clipped the bar with a free-kick and forced stand-in stopper Sam Mathers into a save.

Mathers usually plays on the wing for MUM FC, but she stood firm to deny Murray yet again from Keziah Burgis' cutback. And with two minutes to play Phoenix Brownlie found herself through on goal with Mathers saving and earning her side a share of the points.

Results: Fremantle City 2-0 Curtin University, Murdoch University Melville 0-0 Subiaco, Perth RedStar 5-0 Hyundai NTC, Perth SC 2-0 Balcatta Etna.