With big matches impacting the top and bottom of the table played both last night and tonight, Impetus’ Ben Gilby provides a special additional round-up of the action from Western Australia (27/7/22)
Above: Jaime Duncanson, whose Perth SC side became the first team to avoid defeat against Perth RedStar this season in the NPLW WA tonight. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
RedStar Forced To Wait To Be Crowned Champions
After their perfect season of 14 wins, plus the weekend’s State Cup Final victory and success in the pre-season Night Series tournament, Perth RedStar knew that victory at home to Perth SC tonight would see them clinch the NPLW WA title with an incredible six games still to play.
It was never going to be an easy assignment, The Azzurri have tested RedStar in both previous meetings this season, the most recent being Sunday’s State Cup Final showdown at Inglewood Stadium.
The hosts had three changes to their starting line-up with Andreia Teixeira, Jay Coleman, and Larissa Walsh dropping down to the bench with Ruby Cohen, Renee Leota, and Jayna Ridley stepping up. Quyen Doan, a sub on Sunday was not in the squad, and former Matilda Kim Carroll came in.
Perth SC were missing valued attacker Abbey Meakins, who was replaced by Ella Lincoln. Jessica Byrne, who was on the bench in Sunday’s Cup Final was out, with Katie Ritchie listed instead.
The Azzurri mustered several early chances with Lincoln denied by RedStar Shivani Battaglia twice in the opening 90 seconds. RedStar had a half chance just with nine minutes on the clock with a long-range shot from Shawn Billam that was held comfortably by Rebecca Bennett in the Perth SC goal.
Back came Perth SC with a spell of three corners in five minutes either side of the half-hour mark, but RedStar forced Bennett into making a save from Ridley just before the break.
Billam fashioned the first shot on goal in the second period, but once more Bennett in the Azzurri goal held on. Just past the hour mark, an idiosyncratic run from Perth SC star Jaime Duncanson saw her accelerate along the left wing, cut inside, and hit a powerful effort that Battaglia did well to repel.
Both sides had half chances in the final quarter of an hour with RedStar’s Coleman hitting a low effort from the edge of the box that Bennett claimed, and after breaking through Duncanson failed to get enough power in her shot to concern Battaglia. The contest finished goalless.
Perth SC have become the first side to prevent Perth RedStar from winning an NPLW WA match this season, and in the process have caused Carlos Vega Mena’s side to keep the title-winning champagne on ice. However, it’s only a matter of time, and RedStar will be going all out to get it done against Fremantle City at the weekend.
Teams: PERTH REDSTAR: Battaglia, De Leo, Dunn, Monteiro, Cohen, C.Bennett, Billam, Wood, S.Carroll, Leota, Ridley. Substitutes: Walsh, K.Carroll, Teixeira, Coleman, Diederichsen (GK).
PERTH SC: R.Bennett, Connolly, Harvey, Phillips, van Heurck, Gibbons, Lincoln, Papalia, Spadano, Cook, Duncanson. Substitutes: Zampogna, Spatafore, Ritchie.
Referee: Sailota Phiri.
Murdoch Renew Finals Hopes With Big Win At Curtin
Murdoch University Melville (MUM FC) reduced the gap between them and the top four to just two points after a 5-1 win at Curtin University on Tuesday night.
MUM FC went ahead within the opening minute thanks to a goal from Andrea Preiato with Clara Horarau doubling the advantage just after the 20-minute mark. Preiato grabbed her second to ensure that Murdoch University Melville went in at half-time with a three-goal advantage.
Two goals in four minutes in the early stages of the second half killed off any faint hopes that winless Curtin may have had of a famous comeback as Rachel Gillies and then Charli Wainwright extended MUM FC’s lead to 5-0. Danielle Suckling got a goal back for Curtin with 26 minutes remaining, but it was another tough night for the home side.
Murdoch University Melville now has a huge game in the finals race on Friday night at home to Hyundai NTC. There will be a full detailed report of the game in our usual NPL WA Women Wrap.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD | |
| Perth RedStar | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 6 | 43 | +49 |
| Fremantle City | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 39 | 23 | 28 | + 16 |
| Perth SC | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 8 | 24 | +12 |
| Hyundai NTC | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 30 | 23 | -4 |
| Balcatta Etna | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 20 | 22 | = |
| Murdoch University Melville | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 19 | 21 | +1 |
| Subiaco | 15 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 46 | 12 | -29 |
| Curtin University | 15 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 60 | 2 | -45 |
This Weekend’s Fixtures: Murdoch University Melville v Hyundai NTC, Perth SC v Curtin University, Perth RedStar v Fremantle City, Subiaco v Balcatta Etna.
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