Report by Tommy Doleman

Sarah Carroll scored her fifth goal of the season as Northern Redbacks beat Hyundai NTC 5-1. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Northern Redbacks recorded back-to-back home wins on Friday night as they thumped Hyundai NTC 5-1 to maintain their three-point lead at the top of NPLWA – Women’s competition.

Second-place Murdoch University Melville stay second halfway through Round 10 thanks to Baxter Thew's late goal which was enough to secure a 1-0 win at Fremantle City.

Redbacks got off to a scorching start. First, Jacinta Coleman blazed in her second long-range goal of the season after only nine minutes. Then it was 2-0 nine minutes later. Sarah Carroll stepped up to a free-kick and curled it over the wall and into the net for her fifth goal of the campaign.

Larissa Walsh and Sarah Carroll both steered shots wide before NTC pulled one back before half-time. Monique Prinsloo found the feet of Ella Lincoln and her reverse pass fed Daisy McAllister who opened her account for the season with an assured finish.

But hopes of an NTC comeback were tempered a minute into the second half as Judy Connolly fouled Olivia Wood in the area and Kim Carroll stepped up score from the spot for the second time in 2021.

The league leaders then put the foot down and went on to record an emphatic victory. Youngster Hannah Insch collected Jayna Ridley's pass and slotted in her first senior goal for Redbacks.

NTC were then reduced to 10 players as Georgia Cassidy collected a second yellow card with 13 minutes to play. From the subsequent free-kick, Wood headed in Kim Carroll's delivery to complete the rout, which was only NTC's second defeat of the season.

MUM FC kept pace with Redbacks as they defeated Fremantle City for the first time in the NPL era.

City’s in-form Clare Woods volleyed over Danelle Cornish's bar with the hosts’ first notable effort before Katarina Jukic put an effort wide at the other end.

Mikayla Lyons put past the post with Cornish committed off her line, while Thew's free-kick from deep bounced back off Dayle Schroeder's crossbar as the teams went to half-time goalless.

Lyons then fired straight at the goalkeeper early in the second period as the game remained in the balance until 15 minutes to play when Thew landed the decisive blow.

Marianna Tabain's free-kick landed at the feet of the defender, who spun away and rifled in her first league goal for MUM FC.

Steffi Nadilo fired over and Matilda Boyle's strike was blocked by Poppie Hooks but Fremantle were unable to force an equaliser as they suffered a first loss in four matches.

Results

Fremantle City 0-1 Murdoch University Melville
Northern Redbacks 5-1 Hyundai NTC

Sunday (both 3pm)

Perth SC v Curtin University
Balcatta v Subiaco