Report by Tommy Doleman

Balcatta Etna Gabby Dal Busco, left, is targeting a top-four finish. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Balcatta Etna will look to continue their excellent NPLWA – Women’s form on Sunday afternoon when they face Fremantle City for the second time in four days.

Steve Atkins’ side extended their winning streak to six matches in all competitions after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over City at Wauhop Park in Wednesday night’s Round Six catch-up fixture.

A 92nd-minute own-goal winner means fourth-placed Balcatta sit only a point behind Perth and Fremantle.

Goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco, who saved a penalty at in midweek, said the nature of the victory was something that would further boost morale within the squad.

“It was an intense game where a lot happened and it was a really hard game for us. We really had to show fight and grit to get the win,” she said.

“In the first 20 minutes of the game we had some great opportunities. We hit the post and had a corner where about four or five attempts and ricochets from it got blocked.

“You get to a point where you’re fighting and pushing for the goal and when you do get it in the last couple of minutes of the game, it gives everyone a real buzz in the group and sets us up for the next week.”

Dal Busco has been a key contributor in Balcatta’s recent run, keeping five clean sheets in a row prior to Jamie-Lee Gale’s first-half opener on Wednesday. Only the top two in Perth RedStar and Perth SC have a better defence now and the former Perth Glory keeper believes a more settled schedule has helped them find form.

“Having that consistency week to week has helped us. When we were seventh at Round Five or Six, we must have played only three games, so it was hard to generate any sort of momentum into our season,” she said.

“But now we’re getting consistent games in, we’re able to put in good performances and roll them into the next game. We’ve got some really nice depth in our squad this year which we missed last year when we were hindered by injuries, but this season we have a lot of girls who can come in and do a job, and plenty of players who can come on and make an impact.

“On a personal level, clean sheets are always a bit of a bonus but the points and performances for the team are always best thing for me, even if I do concede a goal. When we’re defending well as a team and doing the right things, following our game plan, my job is quite easy and it’s more about making sure we stay organised, keeping our shape and composure.”

Dal Busco knows her side have to be wary of a response from Fremantle this Sunday, but is also hopeful their form can help them reach the end-of-season finals for the first time in the NPLW era.

“Freo are a tough team and it’s always a challenge with the players they’ve got. But getting that win under our belts has given us the determination to go out and try to do it again,” she said.

“We’ve just got to show the same fight, work rate and intensity and if we do that then hopefully the result goes our way. We actually had some practice the other week when we played NTC midweek in the cup and then again at the weekend where we won both, so the girls know they need to keep that same energy and mindset up.

“It’s definitely an opportunity to cement ourselves as a team that can compete with the other top-four teams and we consider ourselves good enough to be there. Getting a result against Freo shows that we aren’t the seventh-placed team we were a few rounds back and we’ve got plenty of quality in our squad.

“Finishing in the top four is definitely our goal this season and it would be nice to go far in the cup again as well. RedStar are a quality side and are smashing the competition at the moment, but I’m sure the fight for the top four spots will be something which continues throughout the season.”

Round 13 begins on Friday night when Hyundai NTC host Curtin University at E&D Litis Stadium. Ben Anderton’s side need points to cut the margin to the top four, having let slip a two-goal lead against Subiaco last Sunday. Curtin are still searching for their first win of the season despite an improved defensive performance last week when losing to Balcatta.

On Saturday, leaders Perth RedStar travel to Murdoch University Melville at Besteam Stadium in the second fixture of a double-header, with MUM FC’s Men’s State League clash against Forrestfield United on first.

The hosts will aim to bounce back after defeat to Fremantle on the road, but face a tough task as RedStar try to maintain their 100% record with a 12th win in as many games.

The other Round 13 match scheduled for the weekend, Sunday’s clash between Subiaco and Perth SC, has been postponed.

All of the matches will be live streamed on NPL.TV. Sign up for FREE here: https://npl.tv/

Round 13 fixtures

Friday (8pm): Hyundai NTC v Curtin University. Saturday (5pm): MUM FC v Perth RedStar. Sunday (3pm): Balcatta Etna v Fremantle City. Postponed: Subiaco v Perth SC.