Curtin deny Subi first win - can they back up against Redbacks?
Report by Tommy Doleman
Curtin University and Northern Redbacks get Round 12 under way on Saturday. Photo by FotoEnzo
Subiaco came within seconds of their first win on the Women’s NPL era on Thursday night, only to be denied by a stoppage time equaliser.
Subi were away to Curtin University in a Round Three catch-up fixture and looked on track to break their duck at the 25th attempt when Laura Hunt struck in the 84th minute.
But two minutes into stoppage time Eleanor Bates bagged her third goal of the season to rescue a point for Curtin and leave the visitors waiting for at least another match.
Cutin are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they get Round 12 under way against leaders Northern Redbacks at Edinburgh Oval.
Curtin are only a point better off than bottom of the table Subiaco, with just three draws to their name.
New Curtin head coach Dom Gangemi faces a tough challenge to beat a Redbacks side who are three points clear and have lost just once in the league.
One of the players behind Redbacks’ strong start is Larissa Walsh, who has been in red-hot form this term. But she is not looking too far ahead.
“We’re really happy with how things are but we know there’s still plenty of tough games coming up and there’s a long way to go,” she said.
“We’d rather be the ones setting the pace, of course, but we’re also not getting complacent and getting too far ahead of ourselves. This year there’s been a good mentality going into every game which we want to continue.
“When you’re at the top of the ladder, every team wants to bring you down and be that team to beat us. We’re expecting Curtin to come out firing with their new coach and we have to be cautious of that.
“They showed that earlier in the season (when the Redbacks won 3-2 at Celebration Park), but if we stick to our game plan and continue with the way we’ve been playing then hopefully we’ll be okay.”
Walsh is the outright second-top scorer in the Golden Boot race with seven goals in 10 games this campaign, having opened the scoring in last week’s win over Subiaco. She puts that result down to a lot of hard work in pre-season having missed a portion of last season with injury.
“Carlos (Vega Mena, the Redbacks head coach) has come in with an attacking style of play and it’s suited us because we have a lot of players who have thrived on that, but we also have a strong defence which has allowed us that freedom,” Walsh said.
“Coming into the season I wanted to be more confident in front of goal, so it’s really rewarding and feels good that I am taking some of the chances. I don’t think I’ve scored as many goals in a season before to this point, so seven is great, but hopefully I can bag a few more later on.”
On Sunday, Subiaco also back up to a tough challenge when they welcome defending champions Murdoch University Melville to Rosalie Park.
Iain Jolly’s side pushed Redbacks last weekend and will require a similar level of performance again against Mark Jones’ team, who are unbeaten in four and rediscovered their scoring touch in last week’s 5-0 win over Balcatta.
The other two games focus on the race for top four places, with Fremantle City looking to build on an excellent week when they travel to Perth SC.
City advanced to the semi-finals of the Women’s State Cup on Wednesday with a 3-1 win over Hyundai NTC thanks to goals from Annabelle Leek, Mikayla Lyons and Isabelle Bridger. That win set up a semi-final against Balcatta. MUM FC and Northern Redbacks meet in the other tie with a place in the July 17 cup final at Inglewood Stadium up for grabs.
Perth, meanwhile, are fresh from a weekend off after their game with NTC was postponed last Sunday. Gemma Craine welcomes her former side to Dorrien Gardens.
That game sees fifth play third, while fourth hosts sixth at Grindleford Reserve as Balcatta face NTC.
Tim Cash’s side were in good form prior to last week’s heavy defeat to MUM FC and will be eager to bounce back with three points. NTC need to do the same after a three-game winless run and their midweek cup exit.
Saturday (4pm)
Curtin University v Northern Redbacks
Sunday (3pm)
Perth SC v Fremantle City
Balcatta v Hyundai NTC
Subiaco v MUM FC
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