Has Curtin fallen on Azzurri title bid?
Round-up by Tommy Doleman
Curtin University scored two goals in the final seven minutes to inflict a devastating blow to Perth SC’s NPLWA Women’s title hopes.
Perth were set to go back level on points with leaders Murdoch University Melville following Natarsha Smith’s early own goal at Dorrien Gardens.
But a late collapse from the Azzurri allowed Curtin to not only level but snatch a stoppage-time winner, too.
The 2-1 victory meant back-to-back wins for Morrison Deane's side, after not winning for the first 10 rounds. For Perth, however, it could signal the end of their hopes of winning the first Women’s NPL championship. They trail MUM FC by three points with only two games remaining and are 15 goals worse off on goal difference.
It appeared Perth would keep pace with MUM FC in the early stages as they went ahead on eight minutes. The hosts scored from a corner in last week's 1-0 win against Balcatta and repeated the dose when Jamie Duncanson's set-piece was headed into her own net by Smith.
Jess Byrne volleyed over as Perth hunted a second goal before the break, while the visitors’ best chance fell to Abena Selormey, who blazed a difficult chance high and wide.
Liana Cook nearly scored against Curtin for the second time this season, but she was denied by a superb fingertip save from the returning Stacey Cavill in goal.
Selormey then had two good chances in the second half as she fired straight at Rebecca Bennett before volleying Andrea Preiato's cross over from six yards.
It proved a warning sign for the hosts which was not adhered to, as Curtin's momentum continued into the final 10 minutes.
Nina Boorman's corner caused chaos in the area with the ball breaking for Rebecca Dudek to stab home her first of the season. And in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Jess Darmago sent Curtin's travelling contingent wild with a winner on the counter as Perth committed numbers forward.
In Sunday's other fixture, Hyundai NTC Women inched closer towards cementing their Top Four Cup qualification as they defeated Balcatta FC 4-2 at Grindleford Reserve.
The result took the visitors to third, level on points with Fremantle City and three points above Northern Redbacks in fifth. And although NTC still have games against the top two MUM FC and Perth to come, one more win should be enough to extend their season.
There were chances at both ends inside the first three minutes as Gabby Dal Busco saved bravely at the feet of Tijan McKenna before Cassandra Harvey's drive flicked off the top of the crossbar.
Unfortunately for Balcatta, they were then on the wrong end of some cruel luck as Kim McCartney sent Leticia McKenna's cross looping over her own goalkeeper and into the net.
Caitlin Doeglas' free-kick was well held by Miranda Templeman before Hana Lowry stung the palms of Dal Busco as the open start to the game continued.
Lowry wouldn’t miss the next opportunity though, as she netted to make it 2-0 for NTC following a nice team move involving Taneesha Baker and Leticia McKenna down the left.
NTC survived a scare in the shadows of half-time as Doeglas' free-kick was fumbled onto the post and regathered at the second attempt by Templeman.
Balcatta were far from out of it and pulled a goal back midway through the second half. Harvey was alert to a casual pass out of goal from Templeman to intercept and score into an empty net.
NTC then regained their two-goal cushion when Jaspa Cargill-Fletcher followed in to net after Green's initial effort was saved.
Doeglas set up a grandstand finish with eight minutes remaining as she turned and fired into the top corner, but NTC held firm and made the game safe in the 92nd minute when Monique Prinsloo steered home Lowry’s pass.
The Round 12 action started on Wednesday night when Fremantle City temporarily moved up to third with an 8-0 win over Subiaco at Wauhop Park.
Laura Waltman had an early chance for the hosts when she headed over from close range, but the first 10 minutes were marred by Subiaco's MK Ward being stretchered off with what looked to be a serious knee injury.
When play restarted, Fremantle City took the lead on 17 minutes as Annabelle Leek flicked on Isabelle Bridger's throw-in, before Mikayla Lyons arrived on the scene to side-foot home.
Subiaco came close to levelling five minutes later when Jeanette Gordon broke beyond the home defence, but her dink clipped the top of the crossbar and went over.
The Night Series winners soon doubled their lead when Lyons completed a brace from the penalty spot before Waltman netted her second of the season with a fizzing shot from distance.
Leek got herself on the scoresheet before the interval as City were well on their way to a comfortable win, but Subiaco put up a resistant showing in the second period.
Lilly Bassett cleared Bridger's goalbound effort off the line before Gordon and Erin Marstrand both had chances for a consolation.
But City showed their efficient side in the closing stages as substitute Jayme-Lee Smith tapped in from Lyons' cross minutes before Jamie-Lee Gale made it six from close range.
Marissa Pidgeon then registered an own goal against her name for second week in a row, before Smith scored her second and Fremantle’s eighth at the end.
Murdoch University Melville moved three points clear on Friday night after they defeated Northern Redbacks 1-0.
Sadie Lawrence’s late strike was enough for Peter Rakic’s side to take a giant step towards the title – a positioned strengthened further on Sunday when Perth SC slipped up at home to Curtin University.
Victory over either NTC or Fremantle City in their final two games will be enough to seal the championship, given their superior goal difference.
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