Report by Tommy Doleman

Taneesha Baker, left, and Georgia Cassidy were both on target for Hyundai NTC against Balcatta

Hyundai NTC moved back into the Top Four Cup places on Sunday afternoon as they came from a goal down to defeat Balcatta 4-3 and end a four-game winless run.

The youngsters sit in a finals spot on goal difference with a game in hand.

Yet they had to come from behind at Grindleford Reserve after Christi Astorp bundled in from an early corner kick to put Balcatta in front.

The visitors levelled before the break as Georgia Cassidy's free-kick flew over home keeper Gabby Dal Busco and nestled in the back of the net.

It was all square at the interval but two goals in two minutes handed NTC the initiative with conditions worsening.

Firstly, Taneesha Baker curled home brilliantly from a tight angle before the winger's cross was turned into her own net by Kimberly McCartney.

And it was all but over with 12 minutes to play when Catherine Adams arrived to rifle in her first goal of the season from Judy Connolly's cross.

Ashleigh Panaia capitalised on a mix-up at the back and then finished from Amy Tulp's pass to create some late tension, but NTC held firm and moved above their opponents in the standings.

At Dorrien Gardens, Kayla McCulloch's first NPLW goal of the season gave third-place Fremantle City a 1-0 win over Perth, which moves them four points clear of the top four chasers.

Cisco Jorquera's side have won three of their past four and look to be finding form at the right time.

The game sprung into life after a cagey opening 20 minutes when Tessa De Leo was shown a red card for fouling Ella Hoy with the forward through on goal.

Perth thought they had scored late in the first half when Liana Cook prodded home, but the offside flag denied her a first goal since Round Four.

Former Freo midfielder Gemma Craine's attempted lob was claimed by Dayle Schroeder and moments later City found the game's only goal. Laura Waltman stood up a cross to the back post and McCulloch headed across Rebecca Bennett into the net.

Matilda Boyle and Georgie Ireland tested Bennett later in the half, but only one goal was required for City, whose day was soured by Steffi Nadilo being stretchered off with an injury.

Elsewhere in the title race, Murdoch University Melville closed the gap on leaders Northern Redbacks to a single point after a 5-0 win away at bottom-of-the-table Subiaco.

Mark Jones' side were boosted by Redbacks dropping two points the previous day and they hit the ground running at Rosalie Park with Tia Stonehill hammering home from the penalty spot inside nine minutes.

The striker has found her scoring groove in recent weeks and made it eight for the season with an emphatic volley past Marissa Pidgeon soon after.

Grace Betti made it three with a shot through a sea of bodies as Subiaco found it difficult to create a clear-cut opportunity against MUM FC's compact defence.

Sadie Lawrence picked out the bottom corner from just inside the area for 4-0 and Betti made it five with her sixth of the campaign as the defending champions crept closer to the summit.

On Saturday, Northern Redbacks let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Curtin University.

It was a great point for Dom Gangemi's side against the leaders, as they drew for the second time in a few days following

Thursday's stoppage-time equaliser against Subiaco.
Redbacks took the lead when Carla Bennett slammed a volley in at the near post. She then turned provider when her corner was headed in by Jacinta Coleman, as the two combined from a set-piece in consecutive games.

But the visitors switched off and allowed Curtin to score twice in 60 seconds, which ultimately proved their undoing and cut their lead at the top.

Eleanor Bates fizzed in from the edge of the area to pull one back and the playmaker then assisted Rhianna Burgess' first senior NPL goal midway through the second period.

Redbacks regrouped and went in search of a winner but Stacey Cavill made saves from Larissa Walsh and Renee Leota in the final 20 minute to preserve Curtin's fourth draw of the campaign.

Results

Balcatta 3-4 Hyundai NTC
Curtin University 2-2 Northern Redbacks
Perth SC 0-1 Fremantle City
Subiaco 0-5 Murdoch University Melville