Report by Tommy Doleman

Minique Prinsloo, centre, celebrates her goal and Balcatta's third against her former side Hyundai NTC. Photo by FotoEnzo

Three second half goals helped Perth SC defeat Fremantle City 3-0, which helped them leapfrog their opponents into second place in the NPLWA – Women’s competition after 11 rounds.

Peter Rakic’s team were excellent throughout at Dorrien Gardens as they also registered an eighth clean sheet in 10 outings going into next Saturday’s clash with top-of-the-table Perth RedStar.

The home side had the better of the first half with Dayle Schroeder saving from Abbey Meakins before Courtney Butlion put wide of the post from close range.

Despite Perth being in control, City still had moments. Mikayla Lyons was denied by Rebecca Bennett when through on goal, while Siobhan Longmore kissed the top of the crossbar with a long-range strike.

It was goalless at the break, but Perth picked up where they left off after the restart and eventually broke the deadlock on 57 minutes. Meakins fed Jaime Duncanson after a turnover in midfield and the forward rifled in an eighth goal of the season.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. One of many Perth corners broke for Meakins to stab home from close range and at that point the Azzurri seemed to be cruising towards the points.

The sealer was scored five minutes from the end as Janice Kiama fouled Emma McMurdo in the area to concede a penalty. Meakins slotted home her fifth of the season at the second time of asking, as the Azzurri extended their run to one loss in eight.

They still trail Perth RedStar by 10 points in the standings after the leaders won 1-0 away at Subiaco.

It was a much-improved defensive effort from Subi, who lost the Round Four fixture between the pair 19-0, but Sarah Carroll’s goal proved the difference at Rosalie Park.

Zara Board was the busier of the goalkeepers throughout the day as she saved from Carroll and Carla Bennett twice each in the first half.

Subi went close when Phoenix Brownlie shot straight at Shivani Battaglia when put through by Frankie Murray, but RedStar kept creating and eventually got the decisive goal just past the hour mark.

It came after a lovely team move which saw Jay Coleman and Bennett involved before Larissa Walsh squared for Carroll to sidefoot in and make it 10 wins from 10 for RedStar.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Balcatta Etna beat Hyundai NTC 3-0 at Grindleford Reserve to move one point clear of their opponents and Murdoch University Melville in the race for fourth.

It was a repeat of the scoreline from midweek when Steve Atkins’ side won in the Women’s State Cup and they scored twice in the first half to ignite their finals push here.

Lauren Continibali arrived to hammer home Cass Harvey’s cross on 16 minutes and soon after it was 2-0 when Alanah Veroni intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Lily Bailey to lob in her first of the season.

Gabby Dal Busco snuffed out efforts from Tanika Lala and Sophie Meaden as the youngsters pushed to pull one back.

Meaden’s deflected cross then hit the post in the second half, but the hosts eventually put the game to bed as former NTC striker Monique Prinsloo scored from a loose ball after Veroni’s corner.

On Friday night, a hat-trick from Meghan Hulsman and a brace from Penelope Clayton gave MUM FC a 5-1 win.

Clayton got the first two of the game in the space of three minutes against her former side. Andrea Preiato helped on for her team mate to slot in the opener before Clayton was in the right place at the right time to tap in a second.

Keilin Fagan pulled one back almost immediately for Curtin when capitalising on an error at the back to fire into the bottom corner. But MUM FC restored their lead with 20 minutes left as Rosie Lehane’s cross from the right was finished by Hulsman.

Two goals in added time would complete a treble and memorable night for the youngster. She got on the end of a wayward pass across goal to finish into the corner and blasted high into the net when through on goal for 5-1.

Round 11 results: Balcatta 3-0 Hyundai NTC, MUM FC 5-1 Curtin University, Perth SC 3-0 Fremantle City, Subiaco 0-1 Perth RedStar.