Report by Tommy Doleman

Tanika Lala netted twice for Hyundai NTC. Photo by JASP Photography

Perth RedStar continued their impressive NPLWA – Women’s season as they defeated second-place Perth Soccer Club 1-0 in Saturday’s top-of-the-table match at Dorrien Gardens.

This was an 11th win from their opening 11 games for the leaders and they moved 13 points clear of the rest. With 10 matches to play, including a rescheduled clash against their latest victims, it is difficult to see anyone reeling them in.

The Azzurri came into this game full of confidence after a fine performance here against Fremantle City last week, while also putting 12 past Subiaco in the cup in midweek. They started brightly as Emma McMurdo’s strike hit the underside of the bar and bounced away, before Zoee Spadano saw a goalbound volley blocked by the RedStar defence.

Those missed opportunities would be costly, when on 13 minutes RedStar hit the front. Jay Coleman threaded a pass through for Larissa Walsh, who carried forward then and squared for Sarah Carroll to finish into the corner for her ninth of the campaign.

Walsh then had a big chance to double her side’s lead, but Rebecca Bennett’s positioning was on point, while at the other end Jaime Duncanson put over from six yards and Courtney Butlion was denied by former Perth goalkeeper Shivani Battaglia.

McMurdo’s strike was blocked by Quyen Doan late in the half as Perth continued to pose a threat, but after the interval the home side had less joy and RedStar were able to keep them at arm’s length.

No equaliser would come and RedStar’s run would continue, as Carlos Vega Mena’s team effectively put one hand on the league title already.

On Sunday, Fremantle City pulled level on points with Perth with a 3-0 win over Murdoch University Melville.

Garry Church’s side, who remain third on goal difference, had an early scare when last week’s hat-trick scorer Meghan Hulsman was through on goal, but Dayle Schroeder made a smart save one-on-one.

City took the lead on 16 minutes when Mikayla Lyons’ left-footed shot deflected off an outstretched leg from defender Lucy Hope and the ball trickled into the net.

Monique Todd then saved from Jamie-Lee Gale on three occasions prior to half-time, but Fremantle City eventually doubled their lead on the hour mark when Kate Nolan won and scored a penalty.

It was 3-0 with 15 minutes left when Jess Darmago pulled back for Gale, who eventually got her goal with a curling strike high into the net which gave the goalkeeper no chance. That did the job for Freo, while MUM FC slipped four points off the top four pace.

Elsewhere, Emma Ylias scored a 92nd minute equaliser as Subiaco came from two down to rescue a 2-2 draw away at Hyundai NTC.

Grace Johnston’s cross was cut back by Olivia Trueman for Tanika Lala to score the opening goal from close range on 32 minutes.

Lala then continued her good goalscoring season with a sixth of the campaign following a nice team move which ended with her taking a couple of touches and blasting past Zara Board.

Subiaco answered swiftly as Samantha Narra latched onto Toni Walden’s pass and kept her cool to slot home and give Greg Farrell’s side hope.

Marissa Pidgeon made a terrific double save to ensure NTC didn’t put the game to bed, saving first from Georgia Cassidy’s free-kick before denying Trueman bravely on the follow up.

And those saves were rewarded right at the death as Ylias headed home Walden’s cross from six yards to end a four-game losing run.

On Friday, Balcatta Etna took a stranglehold of fourth place with two second-half goals giving them a 2-0 win at bottom side Curtin University and ultimately a three-point gap on fifth-placed NTC.

Alanah Veroni’s thumping drive bounced back into play off the underside of the crossbar, but Monique Godding was on hand to follow up for her first goal this season.

Taylor Reid’s shot was saved by Balcatta keeper Gabby Dal Busco, who has now kept five clean sheets in a row in all competitions.

Monique Prinsloo got the sealer late on when her looping header from Elizabeth Doust’s cross landed in the back of the net.

Round 12 results: Curtin University 0-2 Balcatta Etna, Fremantle City 3-0 Murdoch University Melville, Hyundai NTC 2-2 Subiaco, Perth SC 0-1 Perth RedStar.