Report by Tommy Doleman

Perth RedStar celebrate with their league title. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Perth RedStar celebrated the presentation of their NPLWA – Women’s league title with a 3-0 win over Murdoch University Melville on Sunday afternoon.

Win number 17 from 19 games this season was earned with goals scored by Olivia Wood, Renee Leota and captain Shawn Billam.

The champions end their season with games at Curtin and Balcatta in the next seven days, as their quest to remain unbeaten in 2022 stays intact.

It was only going to be a tough challenge for MUM FC who were without several first team players for the fixture. Luke Thompson’s team do stay alive in the finals race despite defeat, although to qualify they have to beat Perth SC next week, while hoping Hyundai NTC drop points to Fremantle City.

At RedStar Arena, Rosie Lehane made a brilliant goal-saving clearance to prevent Wood from scoring the opener, but the youngster did get the first of the afternoon later in the half.

MUM FC had frustrated the leaders for 34 minutes before Wood drove down the right with her cross-cum-shot deceiving Monique Todd and hitting the back of the net.

The visitors fought hard to stay in the game but the class of Carlos Vega Mena’s team told in the end, as two goals in the final 15 minutes capped a good afternoon’s work.

Carla Bennett’s free-kick was headed in by Renee Leota for 2-0, before skipper Shawn Billam played a one-two with Larissa Walsh and picked out the corner to confirm three points.

Perth SC all but sealed second place with a 1-0 win over Subiaco thanks to a sensational goal from Abbey Meakins in a game switched to Grindleford Reserve.

The Azzurri are three points and 13 goals clear of third-place Fremantle City, meaning they have likely confirmed a double chance when the Top Four Cup begins in a fortnight.

Meakins’ winner came on 72 minutes as the former Perth Glory youngster drove through the heart of Subi’s midfield, before unleashing a brilliant strike from distance which gave the goalkeeper no chance.

In the early kick-off, Fremantle City defeated Balcatta Etna 4-0 to make sure of their top four place, while ending the visitors’ hopes of extending their campaign.

Two goals in three minutes before half-time gave Garry Church’s team the initiative. Jess Darmago’s shot from Kate Nolan’s cross was saved initially by Gabby Dal Busco, but Mikayla Lyons was on hand to tap in the game’s first goal.

Darmago would get her goal soon after to make it 2-0 when applying a simple finish from another Nolan cross.

Dayle Schroeder saved from Angelique Alberts and Monique D’Opera as Balcatta tried to keep their season alive. But the platform had already been laid for City to make it back-to-back wins.

Janice Kiama headed Lyons’ corner straight at Dal Busco, but then reacted quickly to nod in the follow-up as Fremantle made it three. An excellent team goal finished it with 10 minutes remaining as Lyons flicked on a pass from Annabelle Leek, with Tash Rigby then crossing for Darmago to tap in a fourth.

On Friday, Hyundai NTC put their finals destiny back in their own hands after a 3-1 win at Curtin.

Skipper Grace Johnson slotted home to give the youngsters the lead, but Taylor Reid tied it up from the penalty spot on 37 minutes.

Keilin Fagan’s blast from range rebounded off the underside of the bar and away to safety just before half-time for the hosts. Ultimately though, it was two goals in four second half minutes which gave NTC the points.

Tanika Lala headed in Johnston’s corner on 72 minutes to make it 14 for the season and five in her last five matches. Soon after, Louise Tana brought up goals in back-to-back games after a nice volley from Violet Longmore’s cross-field pass.

Results: Curtin University 1-3 Hyundai NTC, Fremantle City 4 Balcatta Etna 0, Perth RedStar 3 MUM FC 0, Perth SC 1-0 Subiaco.