Doust at the double for Balcatta

Report by Tommy Doleman

delight for Balcatta matchwinner Elizabeth Doust, right. Photo by JASP Photography

Balcatta Etna bounced back from midweek cup heartbreak with a 2-0 win over over Murdoch University Melville to maintain fourth spot in the NPLWA - Women’s competition after Round 16.

The result ended a four-game losing streak for Steve Atkins’ side and means they are two points clear of fifth-placed Hyundai NTC, and just a point behind third-place Perth, after Sunday’s three-game slate.

Elizabeth Doust got both goals at Grindleford Reserve, with the first coming barely a minute in. A well-worked corner routine ended with the defender firing in, despite Monique Todd getting a hand on it.

Etna went two up after another corner. This time Poppie Hooks’ clearance went only as far as Doust, who calmly slotted home to complete her brace.

Isabella Comito saved from Nikita Strickling and then from Meghan Hulsman at the near post as MUM FC sought a reply.

But the damage was done in the first 45 minutes, even though Aaliyah Jorquera tried her luck from range in quest of a third.

It was a good response by Balcatta to their penalty shoot-out loss to Perth SC in the State Cup semi-final, while Luke Thompson’s side now sit four points off fourth and drop to sixth.

Hyundai NTC are now fifth and remain in the mix for a first finals berth in the NPLW era after defeating Perth SC 1-0 at E&D Litis Stadium. It was the third time the youngsters had knocked off the Azzurri this season, as NTC ended a three-match winless stretch.

The visitors thought they had scored from a quickly taken set piece after two minutes, but the offside flag denied them.

NTC keeper Lily Bailey saved from Liana Cook later in the half and then made an excellent save with her boot to deny Jaime Duncanson.

In the second half, defender Ruby Cuthbert made a fine block to stop Duncanson scoring from Zoee Spadano’s cross, and that rearguard effort proved more valuable on 56 minutes when NTC got the game’s decisive goal.

It was a flowing move, led by Grace Johnston and Tanika Lala in midfield, before Anna Powell laid off for Louise Tana to score for the second time against Perth this season.

Perth were unable to find an equaliser and their attention now turns to Sunday’s Hyundai Women’s State Cup final against Perth RedStar at Inglewood Stadium. NTC, meanwhile, are away at MUM FC in a fortnight’s time.

Fremantle City took another step towards confirming their finals place after a 6-1 win at Subiaco, a result which leaves them five points clear of third-place Perth having played two games more.

2020 NPLWA Women’s Gold Medal winner Kat Jukic scored a hat-trick, with her first coming emphatically from the penalty spot after 12 minutes.

Marianna Tabain nearly pulled Subi level straight away when forcing Dayle Schroeder into a smart near-post stop. Instead, City doubled their tally when Kayla McCulloch put Mikalya Lyons through on goal with a brilliant pass, and Freo’s number eight slotted in.

The hosts had a quick response up their sleeve when Chelsie Winchcombe drove into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, but Jukic restored Fremantle’s two-goal buffer from another fine McCulloch assist.

Once again Subi mounted a charge though with Tabain adjudged to have been slightly offside when rounding Schroeder to score, while the goalkeeper was alert to block from Keziah Burgis soon after.

But a fourth for Freo early in the second half seemingly put the result beyond doubt, as Janice Kiama was on hand to put in from close range after a set-piece.

Jukic then completed her hat-trick with trademark composure in the penalty area, and Matilda Boyle headed in Tash Rigby’s cross to make it six.

Round 16 results: Balcatta 2-0 MUM FC, Hyundai NTC 1-0 Perth SC, Subiaco 1-6 Fremantle City. Postponed: Curtin University v Perth RedStar.




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