Ben Gilby provides his weekly round-up of all the action from the Western Australia NPL Women’s competition. As usual, there is a detailed report on one game and a wrap of all the other matches along with photos (9/5/22).
Above: Perth SC’s Jaime Duncanson shows her delight at scoring against Subiaco on Sunday. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
MAIN REPORT OF THE WEEK:
Perth RedStar 3-0 Murdoch University Melville
Perth RedStar’s imperious start to the campaign continued with a comfortable win over Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) at RedStar Arena on Saturday evening.
The hosts were back in action after last weekend’s scheduled game with Perth SC was postponed and they carried on where they left off in terms racking up another win. They also welcomed back key player Carla Bennett. As ever, Bennett would have a major influence on proceedings.
RedStar carved out their first chance of the game when, shortly after kick-off, Olivia Wood gathered up possession on the right-hand side and played a ball inside to Sarah Carroll who got a shot in at the right-hand post.
MUM FC goalkeeper Monique Todd was called into action once more with 10 minutes on the clock. Wood escaped again and hit an effort goalward which Todd claimed.
On the quarter-hour mark, the home side were rewarded for their early efforts in a move which started deep inside their own half. Murdoch had a free kick on the right edge of the box. The danger was cleared and possession worked it way out to Larissa Walsh.
In a move that encapsulated exactly why Walsh is arguably the best player in the competition right now, she accelerated through from the midfield, used her strength to hold off the persistent challenge of MUM FC’s Molly Bolton and fire a shot high into the net at the near post.
Perth RedStar doubled their lead just six minutes later. Wood fed the ball to Bennett on the edge of the box and at the second attempt, she was able to play in Sarah Carroll who cooly finished.
Despite Murdoch’s best efforts to gain some momentum, the home side added a further goal four minutes before the interval.
The visitors had a throw-in on the right-hand side in line with their own 18-yard box. Perth RedStar turned over possession tight on the touchline and showed great skill to keep the ball in play and advance. A low pass found Sarah Carroll on the edge of the box. The Perth Glory A-League player turned Bolton superbly and hit a low shot across Todd and into the net for 3-0.
From the re-start, Perth RedStar signalled that they were not going to sit back on their lead as substitute Renee Leota sent an effort narrowly over the bar.
The home side were comfortable on the ball, looking to pass and move at pace constantly. Former New Zealand international Leota was busy, and created her team’s next chance, offloading to Walsh to hit a shot from the edge of the box which Todd gathered.
Murdoch were showing character to compete in the second period. They had a half chance from a corner just after the hour mark when Poppie Hooks, a teenage A-League Women performer with Perth Glory last season, headed downwards from a corner, but the hosts cleared.
Perth RedStar had another great chance with just under 20 minutes to go. A ball in from the right found Leota who turned and hit an instant, vicious shot that was destined for the top right-hand corner before it struck and momentarily pole-axed team-mate Sarah Carroll.
There was one final chance in the closing stages for the home side. Tessa De Leo floated in a free-kick from just outside the centre circle. Rosie Lehane managed to prevent the ball falling for the lurking Leota, but her block fell for Walsh, but dreams of a hat-trick evaporated as the shot flew over the bar.
Murdoch could never quite produce a final ball of quality to put RedStar under concerted pressure, but there were positives to take in the second-half fight. Poppie Hooks, a teenage A-League Women player with Perth Glory last season was industrious throughout. Her insightful running and burst of pace were impressive, as were the efforts of both Meghan Hulsman and Molly Bolton.
Whilst Perth RedStar couldn’t add to their tally in the second half, it was notable just how hard they were chasing down and winning apparent lost causes. That emphasises a ruthless, winning attitude. Right now, it is hard to see who can stop them – certainly before the top-four play-offs.
Squads: PERTH REDSTAR: Battaglia, S.Carroll, Walsh, Doan, Bennett, Bilham, Wood, Dunn, Cohen, Teixeira, Monteiro. Substitutes: De Leo, Ridley, Leota, Holt, Insch.
Scorers: Walsh 15′, 40′. S.Carroll 21′.
MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MELVILLE: Todd, Lehane, Gillies, Hooks, Hoarau, Wainwright, Shore, Mathers, Hulsman, Bolton, Strickling. Substitutes: Hayes, Hope, Mayoe, Meaden.
Referee: Andre Ferreira.
ROUND SIX ROUND-UP:
In the weekend’s only other game, Perth SC hosted Subiaco FC at Dorrien Gardens. It was an important opportunity for the home side who knew that a win by more than three goals would put them above Fremantle City and into second spot.
The game, a personal success story for Jaime Duncanson, burst into life from the start. With just six minutes on the clock, Perth went ahead. Goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett released the ball and a move built up on the left wing. From the cross, a 1-2 involving Liana Cook and Sophia Papalia saw the ball fall for Duncanson to slot the Azzurri ahead.
Just two minutes later, both the Perth SC and Duncanson had their second. Subi lost possession which allowed Ella Lincoln to escape down the left and play in a teasing ball across the box for an unmarked Duncanson to sweep home.
The goal spree continued as a third arrived on 13 minutes. A patient build-up of in to out passing saw Perth SC move the ball from end to end. The icing on the cake was provided by Zoee Spadano who received the ball and cut inside the box and then across her defender to slot a lovely finish inside the near post.
Duncanson completed her hat-trick three minutes before the break as she finished another sweeping move. Faye Phillips set it in motion from inside her own half, and a delightful centimetre perfect through ball ran into Duncanson’s path. The Azzurri star had the room, pace, and skill to advance and smash home.
There was one further goal in the second half and it came not long after the hour mark. Subi goalkeeper Zara Board rolled the ball out, but a heavy touch by one of the visitors put Cook through. Board came out well to smother the shot, but the ball rebounded to Spadano who lifted the ball back over the Subi custodian and into the net.
Perth SC played some delightful football at times and took advantage of their creative players having time on the ball to work their magic. At their best, the Azzurri could test Perth RedStar – but they need to keep picking up points in the meantime.
The weekend’s other scheduled games – Curtin University v Hyundai NTC, and Fremantle City v Balcatta Etna were both postponed.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD | |
| Perth RedStar | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 15 | +23 |
| Perth SC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 10 | +8 |
| Fremantle City | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 10 | +6 |
| Murdoch University Melville | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | -4 |
| Hyundai NTC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 4 | -6 |
| Subiaco | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 1 | -15 |
| Balcatta Etna | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | = |
| Curtin University | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 0 | -12 |
Round Seven Fixtures: Murdoch University Melville v Perth SC, Hyundai NTC v Fremantle City, Balcatta Etna v Perth RedStar, Subiaco v Curtin University.
impetusfootball.org 