Report by Tommy Doleman

Northern Redbacks celebrate Olivia Wood's late equaliser. Photo by FotoEnzo

Northern Redbacks left it late as they salvaged a 2-2 draw against Hyundai NTC in Round One of the NPLWA – Women’s campaign on Sunday.

Olivia Wood came off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser for Redbacks at Ashfield Arena.

Wood won the ball in midfield and drove towards goal before dispatching an effort beyond NTC goalkeeper Lilly Bailey to earn a deserved share of the points.

There was an early scare for last year’s Top Four Cup winners as Georgia Cawley fouled Ella Lincoln in the area, but Maya Diedrerichsen came to the rescue of her teammate as she saved Lincoln's penalty.

In an open start to proceedings, Lauren Continibali broke down the left and fired into the side netting before Jayna Ridley had a goal chalked off for offside after an assured finish.

Instead, it was NTC who went ahead on 21 minutes through the impressive Judy Connolly, only for Redbacks to level just before the break when Larissa Walsh played a one-two with Ridley and the winger squeezed her finish under Bailey for 1-1.

It was all square at the break but NTC reclaimed their lead Lincoln made up for her penalty miss when she poked home.

Redbacks surged once more and had multiple chances to draw level, with Walsh's effort cannoning back off the post and NTC GK denying Renee Leota in spectacular fashion.

Leota somehow hooked wide of an open goal as time tricked down, but the door was eventually barged down as Wood intercepted and scored.

Balcatta kicked off their league campaign with a 2-0 win against Subiaco at Rosalie Park.

The 2021 Night Series winners hit double figures in the corresponding fixture here last season and started well again when Cassandra Harvey volleyed straight at Marissa Pidgeon.

Subiaco had their moments though as Laura Hunt ran through on goal and brought a great save out of Gabbie Dal Busco.

Elizabeth Doust had a shot blocked behind for a corner before Amy Sarandopoulos rifled one at Dal Busco from range as the hard-fought opening period wore on.

But the deadlock was broken on 42 minutes by Ashleigh Panaia, who latched on to Harvey's reverse pass and finished with aplomb.

It was 2-0 minutes later when Monique Godding side-footed into a vacant net after Pidgeon was unable to claim a cross.

Pidgeon was called into action early in the second half after a speculative volley from Alanah Veroni before the goalkeeper made an excellent save to deny Panaia a second.

Hunt had Subi's best attempt at pulling one back, while Panaia rattled the post during the second half.

On Friday, Fremantle City started the second NPLWA – Women’s season with a bang with an outstanding 3-2 win at champions Murdoch University Melville.

The two sides should be there or thereabouts come the end of the season and they did not disappoint, serving up a five-goal thriller at Murdoch’s Wormall Civil Stadium.

The first goal came inside the opening 60 seconds, Thalia Organ heading Murdoch in front from Grace Betti’s cross. However, the lead lasted only 13 minutes minutes as Annabella Leek put Freo on terms and by half-time the visitors had their noses in front thanks to Isabelle Bridger’s powerful finish on 28 minutes.

The match quietened down after the break until Fremantle extended their advantage when MUM FC keeper Zara Board failed to deal with Georgie Ireland’s inswinging corner.

Within seconds of the restart Murdoch were back in it as Organ broke down the left and shot high past Dayle Schroeder for her second.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner Kat Jukic went close to rescuing a point for the home side but Fremantle were able to see out the game.

In Friday’s other match Curtin University and Perth SC played out an entertaining 1-1 draw, with the goals coming in the first half.

Tayna Campos put Curtin ahead on 27 minutes but the lead was shortlived, as Liana Cook headed Perth level.

Results

Curtin University 1-1 Perth SC

Murdoch University Melville 2-3 Fremantle City

Subiaco 0-2 Balcatta 

Hyundai NTC 2-2 Northern Redbacks