Perth beat MUM FC to join leaders at top
Report by Louis Granich
Perth SC have set up a thrilling final month of the maiden NPLWA Women's season with a 1-0 win over Murdoch University Melville on Friday night.
Abbey Meakins' second-half penalty puts the Azzurri level on 22 points with the league leaders with four matches to play.
MUM FC retain top spot thanks to a superior goal difference which could prove significant at the season's end. However, this Round 10 result means we have a genuine title fight on our hands, with third-place Northern Redbacks not out of contention if they can beat Fremantle City on Sunday.
Hosts Murdoch looked to impose themselves within the first 10 minutes when Ellie La Monte chased a through ball and crossed for the in-form Kat Jukic, who steered her diving header narrowly wide.
Perth then threatened after skipper Jamie Duncanson raced down the left wing and crossed to the back post for the outstretched Meakins, but the midfielder could not keep her volley on target.
Just before half-time Jukic started to show flashes of her talent, most notably cutting inside on her right foot and striking well, but she could not find a way past Rebecca Bennett, who tipped her shot over the bar.
Jukic was once again busy after the restart, creating space in the box with a couple of stepovers and eventually firing a shot that hit the crossbar. Perth’s clean sheet remained intact.
The match then swung in the Azzuri’s favour when a penalty was awarded after Liana Cook was brought down in the box. Meakins dispatched the penalty into the top left corner to give Perth the lead in the 57th minute
Perth’s goal gave them confidence to play a more expansive brand of football, while Jenna Onions and Tessa De Leo looked solid at the back for the visitors.
La Monte and Jukic had half chances to equalise as the match wore on, but Perth stood firm and earned themselves a massive away victory as Muroch University Melville suffered their first loss since Round One.
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