Redbacks return serve in title race
Report by Tommy Doleman
Northern Redbacks closed the gap at the top to two points with Sunday's win over Hyundai NTC. Photo by Football West/Robbie Anderson
Northern Redbacks returned to winning ways on Sunday they defeated Hyundai NTC 3-1 at Celebration Park.
The result ensures that the margin between Redbacks and NPLWA - Women's leaders Murdoch University Melville remains two points, although Carlos Vega Mena's side do have a game in hand on the defending champions.
Redbacks carved out the first chance on 18 minutes which proved to be the opening goal. Larissa Walsh sliced a pass through NTC's defence with Jayna Ridley latching on and scoring for the first time since Round Two.
Georgia Cassidy blazed over from distance before the 2020 Top Four Cup winners went on to make it 2-0. Sarah Carroll this time stayed onside as the ball broke her way before running in and scoring past Jayde Odonohoe.
Redbacks added a third on the half-hour mark. Carroll's low corner was helped on at the near post by Georgia Cawley and was bundled in by Walsh who scored for the eighth time in 2021.
Cameron Barreiro's corner was headed over by Isabella Wallhead early in the second half as NTC tried to mount a response. Instead, Carroll nearly added a fourth when she raced away and fired over.
NTC bagged a late consolation goal when Monique Prinsloo headed in Judy Connolly's cross, but the defeat means they sit seven points off a finals berth.
Sunday's other fixture was decided by a solitary goal as Ashleigh Panaia's seventh of the season gave Balcatta a 1-0 win at Subiaco.
Three points here was crucial for Balcatta in their quest to keep pace with Perth in the Top Four Cup race, following the Azzurri's win at Curtin on Saturday.
Balcatta had a good early opportunity to open the scoring when Panaia was brought down on the edge of the area and Kimberly McCartney's free-kick was saved.
Panaia has scored in every fixture between these two sides in the NPLW era, but she was denied midway through the half by a scrambling block from Keziah Burgis.
She would eventually open the scoring on 40 minutes though when prodding Christi Astorp's pass beyond Marissa Pidgeon for 1-0 in a first 45 largely dominated by the visitors.
In the second half, Panaia struck wide from another Astorp pass as chances dried up with one goal proving enough for Balcatta to stay a point behind Perth.
On Saturday, Perth SC maintained their grasp on fourth spot as they defeated Curtin University 6-1 at Edinburgh Oval.
Katie McDermott's shot deflected just wide of the post early, but it was the Azzurri who hit the front on five minutes when Liana Cook squared for Emma McMurdo to score her first senior NPLW goal.
Gemma Craine had a shot cleared off the line and then forced Stacey Cavill into a fine save, but Perth were knocking on the door and made it 2-0 when Abbey Meakins headed in Jaime Duncanson's corner.
After the restart, Perth capitalised on their chances further to run away with a comfortable win.
Cook crossed to McMurdo for a second time with the latter heading home, before the former NTC and Redbacks player returned the favour as Cook scored for the first time in nine matches from the edge of the area.
Rhianna Burgess scored a superb consolation with five minutes remaining, but Perth landed two late blows to take their tally to six. Tessa De Leo poked in from close range on 88 minutes and Fiona Phillips' stunning debut strike iced the win with the last kick of the game.
On Friday, Murdoch University Melville ensured they remained top of the league after Round 15 as they eased to a 4-0 win over Fremantle City.
Sadie Lawrence scored for a fourth straight league game to get last week's State Cup winners off to a flyer, before Ellie La Monte found the top corner for 2-0.
Fremantle City's best chance to pull one back came from the spot, but Danelle Cornish saved Tiana Botha's penalty with 20 minutes to play.
Katarina Jukic then made it a dozen for the season with a header on 79 minutes before Tia Stonehill's brilliant finish made it four late on.
Curtin University 1-6 Perth SC
Murdoch University Melville 4-0 Fremantle City
Northern Redbacks 3-1 Hyundai NTC
Subiaco 0-1 Balcatta
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