Ben Gilby and Ava-Marianne Elliott provide a full report each along with all the details from the round’s other two matches (6/5/24)
Above: UWA-Nedlands’ Michaela Thawley (green shirt), whose early goal in the vital game at the bottom with Murdoch University Melville was not enough to seal her side’s first win of the campaign. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Cat Bryant.
Game of the week:
UWA-Nedlands 1-2 Murdoch University Melville
by Ben Gilby
Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) produced an encouraging performance as they secured their first NPLW WA victory of the season in the battle of the two teams who went into the round winless.
The newly promoted home side went into this encounter above MUM FC thanks to securing a draw against Subiaco earlier in the campaign and fresh from a week off after receiving a bye in the opening round of the State Cup. Conversely, the visitors were the only NPLW WA side in action last week, taking on lower-tier Perth AFC. However, they got the confidence boost of their first win in 2024, with a 1-0 success.
It was the hosts who were on the front foot from the very start, and they stamped their authority on the proceedings by going ahead in the fourth minute. Goalkeeper Morgan Springer dispatched a short clearance which was played onwards for Michaela Thawley who advanced to lift a glorious shot over Manon Gebauer from over 20 yards.
MUM FC were being pressed into conceding possession and finding it hard to make their passes stick consistently or find their intended destination. This lack of accuracy meant their attacking threat of Tiana Botha and Taylor Reid, both players who have consistently found the net in previous years, was largely nullified for much of the opening half.
The home side were looking to spread possession at every opportunity. They were slightly crisper in the pass and more calmer in possession. Just after the quarter-hour mark, this ability came close to doubling UWA-Nedlands’ advantage.
Erin Armstrong lifted a high cross in which Serena Lim couldn’t quite reach, but play then found Emily Dinsdale who saw an effort come back off the crossbar.
As events approached the half-hour mark, Murdoch University Melville’s more influential players began to find their stride. Emmanuella Abu-Pipim Boaduo’s upper body strength and powerful running was beginning to make its mark. Nyana Jayme was a creative ball of energy with excellent footwork, Sophie Patience was making spins and twists to beat her markers, and Reid was dropping deeper in a bid to gain more of the ball and get attacks moving.
These connections came together with Patience feeding Emily Dewar with an insightful ball into space, but Springer gathered the latter’s effort.
There would be one further chance apiece before the interval. First, Dinsdale drove down the right for the hosts and lifted in a cross for Thawley that Gebauer held. Then, Reid was found in acres of space for MUM FC but put her shot wide.
The second half opened with a bang as the visitors equalised three minutes in. Botha was brought down on the right-hand touchline parallel to the 18-yard box after faced by two defenders. Luana Ascenzo Cabello stepped up to send a low free-kick into the box that was turned into her own net by Franca Dobbin at the near post.
UWA-Nedlands were not out of it though, and just over an hour into the encounter, Chloe Rodrigo’s corner on the left was headed over by Mackenzie Rastatter. Rodrigo was a developing influence for the home side, providing an outlet on both flanks to build attacks with her quick feet and ability to deliver balls into the box.
As the game moved towards the final 10 minutes, chances became fewer and further in between – a sign of the tension and the huge importance of this clash in terms of the battle to escape the bottom of the ladder.
What opportunities there were fell more favourably to the visitors. Reid was allowed to run – always a danger for any defence – and the attacker was at the heart of her side’s improving fortunes in this encounter.
Then, with four minutes to go, joy for Murdoch University Melville as Botha won the foot race down the middle, held off two defenders, and lifted a shot high and handsomely into the net to seal her side’s second successive win, and maiden NPLW WA success for the season.
This was a desperately disappointing outcome for UWA-Nedlands who now find themselves bottom of the ladder. Their fortunes this season were always going to be decided by their battles against the teams around them in the standings. Lawrence Lewis’ side will have all the motivation they need to improve on this outcome the next time they face opponents from that region of the ladder.
Teams: UWA-NEDLANDS: Springer, Hartley, Gibson, Khiati, Rastatter, Rodrigo, Dinsdale, Armstrong, Dobbin, Thawley, Lin. Substitutes: Lyons, Visic, Burgess, Riches, Franklin, Dixon, Paul.
Scorers: Thawley 4′.
MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MELVILLE: Gebauer, Burdett, Dewar, Ellis, Brown, Baldin, Patience, Watts, Abu-Pipim Boaduo, Reid, Botha. Substitutes: Ylias, Ascenzo Cabello, Baiamonte, Jayme, Klomp, Giles, Cook.
Scorers: Dobbin (OG) 48′, Botha 86′.
In-depth review:
Perth SC 6-1 Hyundai NTC
by Ava-Marianne Elliott
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/lincoln-charge-perth-sc.jpg?w=1024)
Perth SC put on a convincing display at Dorrien Gardens on Friday night, securing a 6-1 victory over Hyundai NTC to leave them second in the NPLW WA ladder over Balcatta Etna on goal difference.
Following kick-off, there was an immediate scare for the NTC when an excellent cross was sent flying in from down the Azzurri’s right channel, almost reaching Jess Flannery’s feet in front of goal and Megan Phillips was forced down to ground to make a save, but quick thinking from the defence was enough to steer the ball clear of danger.
With Perth being so dominant in and around goal, Flannery quickly found herself with the space and opportunity to cause an early indent to the score in just the fifth minute, however, the angle was tight and the ball hit the side netting.
To NTC’s misfortune, another opportunity for Perth SC to open the scoring arose in the 13th minute, when Chloe Gaspar brought down Flannery just inside the penalty area. Assuredly, the referee signalled to the spot, with Flannery stepping up to confidently send the ball past Phillips’ glove and soaring into the back of the net without hesitation.
A concrete chance to double the score appeared after a pass directly over the top of the field to bypass NTC’s backline fell to Flannery’s feet. Although the original threat was nullified by the work of the defence, Impetus’ NPLW WA Player of the Month Ella Lincoln stole the ball out of Gaspar’s grasp and sent a cross to Sophia Papalia, whose attempt landed straight in Phillips’ grip. Just a matter of a minute later, Georgia Cassidy swooped in, punishing the away side for their back passes, stealing the ball and sending a shot over the bar.
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/georgia-cassidy-looks-for-the-pass-perth-sc.jpg?w=1024)
Just twenty minutes into the fixture, the potential impact that debutant Cassidy could have for the Azzurri was shining through already. Her relentless work rate and a keen eye for a pass, with a fair few well-thought long passes already being put into practice, meant glimpses of her effect on the field were already extremely present.
Inevitably, it wasn’t long before Lincoln found herself on the scoresheet. In the 26th minute, she robbed the ball after heavy touch from Hannah Collins, completely tearing through the NTC players ahead of her alone in an impressive run before effectively doubling the hosts lead.
In the 31st minute, the hosts added a third to their tally. With the immense pressure of the Azzurri forwards hot on her tail, Phillips’ kick was collected by a blue shirt, and Daisy McAllister’s incredible effort from long-range caught her off her line.
Perth SC were completely dominating the game, and it was going to take a huge effort from Hyundai NTC to pull themselves back into the fixture. A chance arose shortly after conceding the third when they were awarded a corner, but they were able to pull nothing from the opportunity after the resulting header went out for a goal kick.
Yet another opportunity for the Azzurri to add to their three-goal lead appeared with 39 minutes on the clock, but Cassidy’s free kick just soared over the crossbar, giving NTC temporary relief. Lincoln’s admirable skill saw her achieve the space to take a shot shortly after in minute 41, but the ball just rolled past the far post.
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/perth-sc-v-ntc.jpg?w=1024)
NTC started to pile on more pressure as the final minutes of the half ticked by, but Lincoln yet again showed just why she’s such a threat on the field as she charged out to the left channel alone, going toe to toe with Nelli Johnson. Her powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box was sent in to the back of Phillips’ net, rebounding off the far post to take the score line to 4-0 in the 44th minute, despite the difficult angle.
There was late drama in extra time when Lincoln caught the defence off guard again, leaving Phillips with no defensive support. The ball was played to Flannery, who sent her shot over the crossbar and sparing NTC the dismay of conceding a fifth goal in one half. Moments later, Hyundai had arguably their best chance of the half, when Maja Archibald sent a shot straight into the hands of Lilly Bailey.
Kick-off for the second half signalled the start of a huge 45 minutes for Hyundai NTC, with Perth SC sitting very comfortably in the lead.
The Azzurri wasted no time in starting a relentless pursuit for a fifth goal, and in the 46th minute, Lincoln’s superb vision for a pass found Flannery yet again in yards of space. Still, Phillips’ was able to easily collect the shot. In a matter of moments the possession had shifted, and Klaudia Houlis charged up the left wing with the opportunity to pull one back for NTC. Bailey made the bold decision to come off her line for the save, the ball just escaping her grasp but being shuttled away after work from the home defence.
With NTC significantly amping up the pressure, it was looking increasingly likely they’d soon find the net. Surely enough, Maja Archibald was the one to bring a swift close to the home side’s clean sheet, when her stunning strike from long-distance was sent flying into the back of Bailey’s goal in the 65th minute.
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/charli-wainwright-perth-sc.jpg?w=1024)
Perth were quick to respond, and a well-picked pass from Charli Wainwright fell to substitute Anika Stajcic in the 67th minute directly in front of the opposition’s goal. Just ten minutes after entering the field of play, she sent the ball into the back of the net, hitting back at NTC’s goal just a minute later, but she wasn’t done just yet as in the 70th minute, she sourced a second.
Securing a brace in just a three-minute gap, Phillips’ admirable attempt to make a save initially looked successful, however Stajcic’s quality shot was just unable to stopped. Her performance was the definition of impact substitution, her goals reinforcing Perth SC’s stellar first half and successfully securing the three points to put her side second in the ladder on superior goal difference to Balcatta.
The intensity of the game was evident, and in the 71st minute, Archibald looked to find a brace for herself. Bailey went to ground to secure the ball from Houlis’ cross, preventing it from reaching Archibald. Cause for concern for the forward arose shortly after, when she left the field with support on either side, and Angelique Clayton took her place on the field after a praise-worthy 75 minute performance.
Both teams had an even split of work to do with ten minutes left remaining on the clock, although credit was due to the NTC’s defence, who worked tirelessly to ensure that they didn’t concede a seventh. The home side came closest in the 85th minute, when Cassidy’s pin-point accuracy from a free kick ended up Stajcic directly in front of goal, however, the forward’s chance at a hat trick slipped away as too much power on her shot sent the ball over the bar.
In the 87th minute, Lincoln found herself making a run into space yet again, soaring towards goal until bring forced to ground by Sophia Brooks just on the edge of the box. It was Stajcic who stepped up to take the kick, however Phillips’ easily dealt with the threat, catching the shot securely. The remainder of the half, Hyundai NTC pushed and pressured the Perth SC side, but their attempts to secure a second were unsuccessful.
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/theodora-mouthiys-perth-sc.jpg?w=1024)
At the sound of the final whistle, Perth SC’s win saw the home side in second place in the ladder. NTC currently sit just three points behind in fourth place, with a five-point gap keeping them above fifth-place Subiaco – who they travel to next Sunday in what should be a fascinating match.
TEAMS: PERTH SC: Bailey, Marshall, Boehm, McCartney, Nossent, Wainwright, Cassidy, Papalia, Flannery, McAllister, Lincoln. Substitutes: Stajcic, Thew, Insch, Harvey, Mathers, Cavill, Hannan
Scorers: Flannery (pen) 13’, Lincoln 26’, 44’, McAllister 31’, Stajcic 67’, 70’.
HYUNDAI NTC: Phillips, Longmore, O’Halloran, N.Johnson, C.Gaspar, J.Johnson, Collins, Mouithys, Houlis, Archibald, Tana. Substitutes: Clayton, Gaspar, Healy, Brooks, Johnson
Scorer: Archibald 65’,
Round wrap:
by Ben Gilby
Balcatta Etna 3-1 Subiaco
Balcatta Etna strengthened their hold on third place with this win over Subiaco at Home Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts hit the front with 12 minutes played with a sweeping display of superb passing football that highlighted the raison d’etre of this Balcatta side. After a move that involved 11 passes, Lucy Jerram gained the ball along the right and drove up the flank before measuring a perfectly weighted pass inside for Monique Prinsloo who supplied a sumptuous low cross for Faye Phillips to tap home.
Balcatta doubled their lead just over 20 minutes later. Liana Cook’s throw on the left, parallel with the edge of the box found Jerram who had her back to goal. The attacker showed her skill to turn and feed Phillips who ran between two defenders to take the ball, leaving another two would-be tacklers trailing in her wake to slot home with aplomb.
Just before the interval, Subiaco built an intricate passing move which was eventually broken up allowing Alyssa van Heurck to break along the left from deep inside her own half to subsequently find Jerram outside her on the left. Jerram advanced before firing a fantastic finish across visiting goalkeeper Ash Riddle and into the far corner of the net to take Etna’s lead out to three.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, Subi grabbed a potential lifeline when Stella Zampogna took advantage of loose control the edge of the Balcatta box to get a ricochet touch which Balcatta keeper Rebecca Bennett headed out, but only as far as Marianna Tabain who sent a glorious lob into the net.
Perth RedStar 4-2 Fremantle City
Perth RedStar made it five wins from five, but they were pushed all the way by a Freo side revitalised by new arrivals who were in the game until the depths of second-half stoppage time.
Clara Hoarau came into the squad just before the break for the State Cup, and she was joined by fellow youngster Tanika Lala, the nugget from the Goldfields whose twinkle-toed ability had caught the eye for several seasons whilst at in the NTC setup. Both were rewarded with A-League Women contracts with Perth Glory as a result of their efforts in the 2023 NPLW WA campaign, and both showed their worth despite their side’s eventual defeat at RedStar Arena.
The home side could point to the continuing influence of their newly arrived Japanese duo of Impetus Player of the Month nominee Momoko Sakairi and Manami Arai having a major impact on the outcome of this game.
RedStar hit the front eight minutes before the interval. Andreia Teixeira sent in a high free-kick that was controlled brilliantly by Renee Leota who turned to fire home.
Yet Freo levelled just before the half-time whistle with a move that started inside their own half. The ball was eventually laid off to Hoarau on the edge of the box, and the youngster fired a rocket into the top of the net.
Parity only lasted until the 49th minute excellent play from Olivia Wood found Sakairi who provided a high cross in for Leota to head home her and RedStar’s second of the afternoon at the back post to restore the hosts’ advantage.
The unbeaten hosts looked to have sealed a fifth straight league win for 2024 with a quarter of an hour remaining. Arai intercepted a loose pass in the centre channel of midfield and found Reina Kagami outside her. Kagami turned Annabelle Leek and held off the defender’s attempt to come back and deny her to shoot across Dayle Schroeder and into the net.
With six minutes to go, Freo grabbed a lifeline. Alex Poad received the ball on the left from her own throw in just inside the RedStar half and advanced into space to just outside the box to find debutant Lala. The former NTC star, who scored for Perth Glory in the A-League Women this season, showed her trademark pace and skill to draw Emily Dunn and beat her before calmly directing the ball past Gabby Dal Busco in the RedStar net.
However, the hosts showed their ability to close out games deep into injury time to finally confirm the three points with a glorious sweeping move. The move originated with a throw-in inside their own half that found Lauren Continibali. The former Balcatta player motored up the left flank, beating her marker before offloading to Caitlin Doeglas inside her. The former W-League attacker took a touch before nutmegging Poad to find Arai centrally positioned on the edge of the box. RedStar’s latest Japanese star controlled the ball and sent a low shot into the net.
![](https://impetusfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/nplw-wa-round-5.png?w=791)
Next Fixtures: 12th May: Fremantle City v UWA-Nedlands, Murdoch University Melville v Perth SC, Perth RedStar v Balcatta Etna, Subiaco v Hyundai NTC.
State Cup 1st Round News
Last weekend the NPLW WA took a break for the opening round of the State Cup. In the end, only one tie took place, Murdoch University Melville gaining their first win of 2024 with a 1-0 success over State League Division One side Perth AFC. Perth RedStar, Hyundai NTC, and Balcatta Etna all received walkover wins against State League sides Hamersley United, Mandurah City, and Sorrento respectively. Fremantle City, Perth SC, Subiaco, and UWA-Nedlands received a bye to the Quarter-Finals.
Quarter-Final Draw
1st June: Perth RedStar v Murdoch University Melville, Fremantle City v Hyundai NTC, Subiaco v Perth SC. 2nd June: UWA-Nedlands v Balcatta Etna.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball Facebook: @impetuswomensfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball