Report by Tommy Doleman

Northern Redbacks players congratulate Renee Leota (No.14) on her winning goal. Photo by FotoEnzo

Renee Leota scored eight minutes from time as Northern Redbacks twice came from behind to prevail 3-2 against Perth SC.

Redbacks defeated the Azzurri in both of their two previous NPLWA - Women's meetings. And they did it again at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday.

Perth went ahead on 18 minutes when Jamie Duncanson's corner deceived everyone and flew into the back of the net.

Minutes later the visitors were given an opportunity to level from the penalty spot as Rebecca Bennett fouled Larissa Walsh, but the goalkeeper made up for her error by saving Jacinta Coleman's spot-kick.

Last year's Top Four Cup winners did draw level just after the half-hour mark though when Jayna Ridley played a one-two with Leota and slotted calmly into the corner.

Walsh fired over the bar as both teams went into the break level, but Perth regained the lead three minutes after the restart when Duncanson volleyed in from close range.

Redbacks once again hit back, and it was last week's hero Olivia Wood who made it 2-2 when she arrived late in the area to poke home a second goal in two games.

Taylor Reid volleyed over and Leota sliced wide as chances came at both ends, but it was the New Zealand international who ultimately landed the decisive blow in an open finale.

The forward controlled, swivelled and finished expertly in the penalty area to win the game, as Redbacks recorded their first league victory under Carlos Vega Mena and won at Dorrien Gardens for the second year in a row.

Murdoch University Melville bagged their first three points of the campaign after a statement 5-1 win over Hyundai NTC at Ashfield Arena.

It took the defending champions 10 minutes to open the scoring as Katarina Jukic collected Tia Stonehill's pass and lashed high into the net.

MUM FC defeated the NTC in both 2020 league meetings and it looked set to be another challenging afternoon for the youngsters as Thalia Organ had a goal disallowed for offside.

The visitors got their second goal two minutes before the break as Jukic capitalised on an error in defence to run through and finish with the outside of the boot.

Five minutes after the restart it was 3-0 when Jukic turned provider to feed Stonehill, who raced away to score her first NPL WA goal of the season.

NTC could have pulled a goal back when Ella Lincoln was fouled in the area by Katie Schubert, but Judy Connolly's spot kick was saved low by Zara Board.

Organ got on the end of Jukic's cut back to tap home MUM FC's fourth goal of the afternoon before the home side netted a consolation through Olivia Trueman.

And left-sided player Organ completed the scoring with 10 minutes remaining as she hit a stunning strike from the left-hand side of the box, similar to her second strike against Fremantle in Round One.

Balcatta are top of the league following a 2-0 win over Curtin University at Grindleford Reserve.

Balcatta’s Cass Harvey and Tayna Campos of Curtin, who both scored in Round One, fired over for their respective sides, before Penelope Clayton forced home keeper Gabby Dal Busco into a low save.

But it was the hosts who made the breakthrough on 15 minutes when Harvey collected Giorgia Alford's pass, rounded Curtin keeper Stacey Cavill and slotted in from a tight angle.

Jayme-Lee Smith's shot was straight at Dal Busco as Curtin continued to provide a threat on the break without having that punch in the final third.

Monique Godding forced Cavill into a brilliant fingertip save before Ashleigh Panaia doubled Balcatta’s lead and her tally for the season with a looping header over the Curtin keeper on 82 minutes.

On Friday, two goals inside the first 15 minutes were enough to see Fremantle City defeat a spirited Subiaco 2-1.

The opener was scored in the third minute when Georgie Ireland's cross went all the way through a crowded penalty area to hit the back of the net.

Mikayla Lyons headed wide of the post soon after but Freo's top scorer in 2020 got off the mark for this season when she finished from a tight angle.

Subiaco fought hard, though, and pulled one back early in the second half when Jennifer Walsh turned nicely and released Laura Hunt, whose cross was perfect for the arriving Dylan Davidson to finish from close range.

However, it was City who had the best opportunity to add to the goals, Lyons placing a penalty wide after Keziah Burgis was red-carded for handling on the goalline.