RedStar wrap up unbeaten season

Report by Tommy Doleman

Fremantle City celebrate Tash Rigby's goal. Photo by FotoEnzo

2022 champions Perth RedStar completed an undefeated season in the NPLWA - Women’s competition after a goalless draw away at Balcatta Etna.

Carlos Vega Mena’s side continue their course towards an all-conquering season, and attention now turns to major semi-final meeting with Perth SC next weekend.

Balcatta became only the second team to take points from RedStar in the league but will not be a part of the post-season after they ended the year in sixth place.

Olivia Wood flashed wide of the post for RedStar inside quarter of an hour, before Sarah Carroll hit the post on the half-hour mark.

It was a similar tale after the break. Emily Dunn forced Gabby Dal Busco into a good block early in the second half, while Larissa Walsh hit the crossbar soon after. Angelique Alberts also hit the frame of the goal after the restart with the closest chance for Etna, but it ended 0-0.

On Friday, Perth SC confirmed second place and ended Murdoch University Melville’s year with a 3-0 win at Besteam Stadium.

Luke Thompson’s team needed three points to give themselves hope of catching fourth-placed NTC in the final round, but three second-half goals meant the youngsters would qualify for a first post-season NPL appearance without kicking a ball.

Andrea Preiato had the best of the chances for MUM FC in the first half when her lob drifted just wide of Rebecca Bennett’s post, while at the other end Caitlin Doeglas whistled a strike wide of the post.

But the Azzurri took control in the second period and struck three second-half blows to down the hosts. Jaime Duncanson rifled in the opener on 55 minutes to bring up a dozen goals for the season.

Ella Lincoln came off the bench to poke in a second with Doeglas and Maya Spatafore involved in the build-up, before Abbey Meakins struck a familiarly brilliant third from outside the area to cap the victory.

Two other fixtures happened on Sunday as Fremantle City won 3-1 at Hyundai NTC. The pair will meet again next weekend in the minor semi-final with Garry Church’s side hosting the fixture.

Freo scored three times in eight first half minutes to put the game to bed. Jamie-Lee Gale rounded the goalkeeper to slot home before Tash Rigby’s header from Kayla McCulloch’s cross doubled the lead prior to the half-hour mark.

Nina Boorman added a third soon after for City as they took full control of the encounter and gave themselves a confidence boosting win before finals.

Natalia Vega Mena’s first senior NPLW goal gave NTC some consolation, but Friday’s defeat for MUM had already confirmed a finals spot for Ben Anderton’s team.

Finally, Subiaco ended their season on a high with a 6-0 win, which was their largest NPLW win, while Curtin ended the campaign winless.

Marianna Tabain slotted in the first after a nice pass from Lisa De Vanna, before De Vanna scored a beauty with the outside of the foot to double her team’s lead.

Barely a minute later Subi led 3-0 as De Vanna received Ella Mastrantonio’s pass and rounded the goalkeeper to treble the advantage.

Tabain’s cross-shot made it four before the break, and Subi would add a couple more. Frankie Murray scored crisply into the corner from inside the area before Melissa Shepherd’s late tap-in underlined the home side’s much-improved campaign.

Round 21 results: Balcatta Etna 0-0 Perth RedStar, Hyundai NTC 1-3 Fremantle City, MUM FC 0-3 Perth SC, Subiaco 6-0 Curtin University.




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