by Ben Gilby (2/3/25)
Above: Lucy Jerram (10) and Abbey Meakins celebrate a goal in Balcatta Etna’s win at Perth SC on Saturday night. Photo: Rob Lizzi.
The group stages concluded this weekend and the semi-final line-up is known. Here’s Impetus‘ review of the final round of action in the NPLW WA Night Series group stage.
Group A
Sunday night at Inglewood Stadium saw the two matches that finally decided who progressed to the final four. Going into the encounters, three of the four sides could qualify for the semi-finals and the permutations were complex.
Fremantle City ensured they would finish top of the group after a superb 4-2 win over defending Night Series champions Perth RedStar.
Freo hit the front after Mikayla Lyons’ corner on the left came in high and was pushed up by Gabby Dal Busco in the RedStar goal and came down for Annabelle Leek to head home from inside the six yard box. However, their lead lasted less than three minutes as Andreia Teixeira found Renee Leota in the middle of the park who in turn played in Sarah Carroll. The former Perth Glory player dinked a ball goalwards with Jayna Ridley getting a further touch to ensure it crossed the line as Freo defenders scrambled back.
The port city side regained the lead from another corner on the right. This time it was Mia Yeo whose delivery was headed on by Leek for Janice Kiama to direct into the net. Freo went 3-1 up three minutes later when Teixeira handled in the box, and Leek calmly dispatched a low penalty into the left hand corner of the net. With 15 minutes remaining, RedStar grabbed a lifeline courtesy of a superb first time curling shot from just outside the box by Leota.
However, six minutes from the end, Freo clinched the win. A stunning break from Alex Poad from inside her own half saw her eventually find Yeo on the edge of the box. The former Balcatta player fed Leyna Wood to slot home.
Following the outcome of the evening’s opening encounter, Football West Academy (the official new name for Hyundai NTC) went into their clash with Murdoch University Melville knowing they just needed to avoid losing by more than three goals to claim the second semi-final spot. The teenage side ensured there would be no need to get an abacus out to decide who qualified with a comprehensive 6-0 win. Klaudia Houlis and Xuri Dalton both grabbed braces with Sakura Leong and Cate McAuliffe also on target for the Football West Academy.
Final standings:
1) Fremantle City P3 Pts 9 (+5), 2) Football West Academy P3 Pts 6 (+9), 3) Perth RedStar P3 Pts 3 (-1), 4) Murdoch University Melville P3 Pts (-13).
Group B
Whilst the two qualification places for the semi-finals from this group were settled last weekend, the final placings in the round robin ladder were decided on Saturday evening at Dorrien Gardens.
First up was the clash between the two sides looking for their first win of the Night Series. It was Subiaco who confirmed that they would finish third with a comprehensive 9-1 win over UWA-Nedlands. Hat-tricks from both Stella Zampogna and Tayna Campos, plus further strikes from Brooke Burdette, Greta Bailey, and Kim Soyi ensured Subi were richly rewarded for their attacking prowess. UWA-Nedlands’ goal came from Amy Hartley.
Balcatta Etna ensured they would finish top of the group after an impressive 5-2 win over Perth SC. Daisy McAllister hit a brace for the Azzurri, and former Perth players contributed four of Balcatta’s goals on the night. Abbey Meakins grabbed a hat-trick with Zoee Spadano also on target. Etna’s other goal came from Mia Britton.
Final standings:
1) Balcatta Etna P3 Pts 9 (+9), 2) Perth SC P3 Pts 6 (+3), 3) Subiaco P3 Pts 3 (+2), 4) UWA-Nedlands P3 Pts 0 (-14).
Semi-Finals next weekend:
Fremantle City v Perth SC, Balcatta Etna v Football West Academy.
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