Report by Tommy Doleman

Abbey Meakins chips Curtin University keeper Stacey Cavill to wrap up a second win in three for Perth SC. Photo by FotoEnzo

Perth SC moved into third place in the NPLWA – Women’s competition with a 2-0 win over Curtin University on Easter Monday.

Goals from Ella Lincoln and Abbey Meakins either side of half-time gave the Azzurri their second win from the opening three matches.

Danielle Suckling tried her luck early on for Curtin, before Perth went forward and Lincoln and Cam Barreiro forced Stacey Cavill into good saves.

Hannah Seerden then had a pop from distance for the visitors. But it was Peter Rakic's side who broke through five minutes before the break when Meakins fed Lincoln with a perfectly weighted pass and the former NTC striker finished with aplomb.

Perth pressed for a second but they found Cavill in outstanding form. The Curtin goalkeeper made a stunning save from Meakins' swerving effort which was bound for the bottom corner, and she kept out the Azzurri midfielder again with a low block.

But Meakins had the last laugh 10 minutes from time as she collected substitute Jaime Duncanson's pass and executed a left-footed chip over Cavill.

On Saturday, Perth RedStar prevailed 3-2 over Fremantle City in a top-of-the-table clash at RedStar arena, where Larissa Walsh and Jay Coleman both netted for a third straight week.

It is a perfect three from three for RedStar, who moved three points clear of the rest, while City remain second despite their first blemish this term.

Last year's joint-Golden Boot winner Walsh opened the scoring on seven minutes when she broke beyond Fremantle's defence and lashed in via the underside of the bar.

City came into this one full of confidence, having won their first two outings, and they levelled on 25 minutes when Jess Darmago's cross-shot dropped into the net.

But within minutes of levelling up the visitors found themselves reduced to 10 players. Siobhan Longmore collected a second yellow card for two fouls and her team were required to play out the remaining 63 minutes one player down.

It would be a tough task for Garry Church's side, but they may have led at half time when Mikayla Lyons broke clear of RedStar's defence and had her shot saved low by Shivani Battaglia.

In the second half, Freo goalkeeper Dayle Schroeder was doing her bit to keep scores level. The stopper first blocked from Coleman, before saving brilliantly from Leota and then thwarting the former New Zealand international soon after with a fine double save.

Eventually the pressure told on City's defence and two goals in four minutes gave the home side the break they needed. Walsh rifled in left-footed from inside the area for her fifth goal in three games and then Coleman found the corner to take her tally to four.

Fremantle battled hard throughout and after Lyons' strike from Jamie-Lee Gale's cutback they pressed again and set up a nervy final five minutes.

Tash Rigby got forward from full back and floated over the perfect cross for substitute Kate Nolan, who headed brilliantly into the bottom corner via the post.

Darmago had a late effort blocked and Coral Buxey's strike was caught by Battaglia as Redbacks stood firm.

Round Three began on Good Friday as defending champions Murdoch University Melville made it three games unbeaten thanks to Nikita Strickling's equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Hyundai NTC.

NTC went in front in the first half when forward Tanika Lala driving run saw her upended on the edge of the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Lala took the spot-kick and got off the mark for season 2022 by dispatching confidently.

But MUM FC levelled when Elysse Shore's strike broke to Strickling and she fired home her first goal since returning to the club after a spell at Curtin University.

Subiaco's clash with Balcatta Etna was postponed and will be played on 24 July.

Results: Hyundai NTC 1-1 MUM FC, Perth RedStar 3-2 Fremantle City, Perth SC 2-0 Curtin University. Postponed: Subiaco v Balcatta Etna (to be played on 24 July)