Report by Tommy Doleman

Northern Redbacks players congratulate matchwinner Sarah Carroll on her goal. Photo by FotoEnzo

Sarah Carroll's quality finish midway through the second half helped Northern Redbacks defeat Balcatta 1-0 and return to top spot in the NPLWA – Women’s competition.

Murdoch University Melville's 3-2 win over Perth on Friday had put the pressure on Carlos Vega Mena's side going into Sunday's game.

But Redbacks had the answer as they celebrated Renee Leota's 200^th game with three points.

Balcatta went close when Elizabeth Doust's free-kick clipped the top of the bar after 10 minutes, while for Redbacks Larissa Walsh raced through and brought a save from Gabby Dal Busco.

Redbacks upped the ante and Carla Bennett tested Dal Busco from range and Walsh curled over, but it remained goalless at the break.

Balcatta should have taken the lead just before the hour but Epril Nossent was denied by Maya Diederichsen when through on goal and that miss proved costly on 67 minutes when Carroll lobbed Dal Busco in classy fashion for the game's decisive goal.

Shawn Billam shot wide moments later and then Walsh couldn't scramble in from Carroll's free-kick as Redbacks went after a second.

Balcatta, who have inflicted Redbacks’ only loss this season, chased an equaliser and Christi Astorp was denied at the near post by Diederichsen.

The result sees Redbacks move a point clear of MUM FC with both sides having five matches still to play. Balcatta remain fourth despite the defeat.

Curtin University and Subiaco drew for the third time this season as the bottom two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

All of the goals came in the first half. Subiaco, fresh from their maiden NPL win last week, flew out of the traps and Laura Hunt netted inside two minutes.

But Curtin responded off the back of two disappointing defeats to Balcatta and Perth. Eleanor Bates and Tayna Campos struck within three minutes of each other to make it 2-1 for the home side.

Subi replied six minutes before half-time when Hunt drove down the left and her cross was turned into her own net by Stephanie Waycott.

Jen Walsh's strike cannoned back off the upright as Subi came close to doubling their lead before the break.

After the restart, Amy Sarandopoulos tested Stacey Cavill from distance, before Andrea Preiato nearly turned Eleanor Bates' corner into the net as it ended all square.

On Friday, Murdoch University Melville prevailed 3-2 against Perth SC to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Grace Betti put MUM FC ahead with her seventh of the season after good work from Tia Stonehill down the right. They made it 2-0 with another move down that flank as Sadie Lawrence broke from midfield and cut across for Ellie La Monte to tap in from close range.

Perth halved the deficit when Gemma Craine's strike slipped through the grasp of Danelle Cornish, and it was 2-2 just before half-time when Emma McMurdo lashed in brilliantly from Jaime Duncanson's corner.

But La Monte would prove to be the matchwinner five minutes into the second half when she collected Abbey Green's pass and kept her cool to find the corner for her ninth of the season.

Abbey Meakins headed over the bar with Perth's best chance of pulling level, while at the other end Rebecca Bennett kept her side in it with a smart low save from Green.

Friday's other game saw Hyundai NTC keep their Top Four Cup hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Fremantle City at Wauhop Park.

Top scorer Ella Lincoln's sixth of the season early on was difference as she struck from the edge of the area to break a run of six games without a goal.

Mikayla Lyons shot straight at the goalkeeper with Fremantle's best effort to level.

Results

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