NPLW WA Night Series Wrap

Impetus 71’s Ben Gilby begins his coverage of yet another season of the NPLW WA with all the news from the first two weeks of the round-robin of the pre-season tournament in Western Australia with photos supplied by Rob Lizzi and Cat Bryant (4/3/24).

Above: Murdoch University (red) and Perth SC battle it out in the second week of the NPLW WA Night Series on Saturday night. Photo supplied to Impetus 71 by: Rob Lizzi.

Week One:

Group A

The action got underway on 23rd February. Perth RedStar did battle with another of last season’s top sides, Hyundai NTC. It’s a much changed NTC side this year with several of last year’s stars going on to A-League football. It was the youngsters who went ahead in the first half with Klaudia Houlis, who hit a purple patch of scoring last year, on target before Jayna Ridley levelled.

At Grindleford Reserve, a much changed Balcatta Etna side under new head coach Peter Rakic saw off a UWA-Nedlands side on their NPLW level debut 3-0. The visitors gained promotion into the league at Curtin University’s expense. Former Fremantle City player Kat Jukic and Abbey Meakins, who followed Rakic across from Perth SC during the close season were on target along with Monique Godding.

Group B

Across in Group B, Fremantle City opened their campaign at Dorrien Gardens with a 3-0 win over a Murdoch University Melville side showing a number of changes from the one that finished the 2023 campaign. Goals from Andrea Preiato, Alex Poad, and Anna Powell were the difference.

Also at Dorrien Gardens, Perth SC recorded a 3-0 win over Subiaco. Close season arrival from Murdoch University Melville, Sam Mathers grabbed a brace with Tamsyn Hannan adding the other.

**Above:** Fremantle City’s Laura Waltman (right) celebrates her goal with Anna Powell. **Photo supplied to *Impetus 71* by:** Cat Bryant.

Week Two

Group A

Perth RedStar secured their first win of the Night Series with a 4-0 success over UWA-Nedlands at Grindleford Reserve. They were fast out of the blocks with former Perth Glory star Caitlin Doeglas giving them an early lead with Renee Leota making it two shortly afterwards. Doeglas added her second before former Balcatta Etna player Lauren Continibali completed the scoring near the end.

In the group’s other game, Balcatta Etna secured their semi-final spot with a game to spare after an impressive 4-1 win at home to Hyundai NTC. Lucy Jerram put Balcatta ahead only for Angelique Clayton to level matters. The second half saw the hosts pull away with former Perth SC player Liana Cook, Gale, and Monique Prinsloo all on target. Balcatta have been a team with potential for a number of years – this could finally be the season where they live up to it.

**Above:** Perth SC get a shot away in their 3-0 win over Murdoch University Melville on Saturday night. **Photo supplied to *Impetus 71* by:** Rob Lizzi.

Group B

It was a second successive 3-0 defeat for Murdoch University Melville, with Perth SC earning their second straight win by that scoreline at Dorrien Gardens on Saturday night. Hannah Insch and Ella Lincoln put the Azzurri ahead with Jess Flannery completing the scoring late on.

Fremantle City and Subiaco shared the points at Dorrien Gardens with a 1-1 draw. The ever-influential Laura Waltman put Freo ahead, but Subi’s close-season arrival Stella Zampogna, who was at Perth SC last season, hit a long-range leveller for an impressive point for Greg Farrell’s side.