The NPL WA continued with Round Six. Leaders Perth RedStar were back in action knowing another win would further boost their powerful position at the top of the ladder. Their closest rivals in action this round, Perth SC, knew they couldn’t afford to slip up.
NPL WA Week Six 2022
- Perth RedStar hosted Murdoch University Melville at the RedStar Arena.
- Perth SC welcomed Subiaco to Dorrien Gardens.
- Curtin University’s game with Hyundai NTC and Fremantle City against Balcatta Etna were both postponed.
More NPL news can be found on The Women’s Game.
Two NPL clashes were postponed this past round, with two more going ahead.
#NPLWA – Women’s R6
Perth RedStar march on with today’s 3-0 home win over @mum_fc_. Larissa Walsh (2) and Sarah Carroll were the scorers. The result continues RedStar’s perfect start to the 2022 league season.@PerthSoccerClub face @SubiacoAFC tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/8lhwMZmcHV
— Football West (@FootballWest) May 7, 2022
Perth RedStar 3-0 Murdoch University Melville
League leaders Perth RedStar continued their hugely impressive start to the season by maintaining their 100% win record against Murdoch University Melville at RedStar Arena.
The home side were in their groove from the start with Sarah Carroll benefitting from Olivia Wood’s creativity to get in a low shot at the right hand post.
Within 15 minutes RedStar hit the front with a goal that summed up the status of Larissa Walsh of one of the competition’s star players. Walsh motored away from the midfield and used a combination of her pace and strength to hold off would-be challenger Molly Bolton and fire into the net.
Six minutes later it was 2-0. Wood fed the returning Carla Bennett, and the club legend found Carroll at the second attempt to slot home.
RedStar’s dominant first half was reflected with a third goal four minutes before the break. Carroll was involved again as she received the ball on the edge of the box. A sumptuous turn of marker Bolton gave her the space to shoot across Murdoch keeper Todd and into the goal.
Murdoch showed character in the second half to step up with teenage Perth Glory A-League Women player Poppie Hooks showing her power and ability. However, they could never quite conjure up the right final ball to create any consistent problems for the RedStar defence.
Consequently, the best chances of the second period tended to fall the way of the home side.
Substitute Renee Leota, a former Football Fern was involved in the majority of these chances. She first hit an effort from outside the box narrowly over the bar, and then played in Walsh whose effort was held by Todd. Her final chance, a turn and vicious shot, was heading for the top right corner before striking team-mate Carroll in the face.
Right now, Perth RedStar look unstoppable. Whilst the majority of their rivals in the competition are bedding in new squads, they have a tried and tested team of real quality. When their opponents’ finally gel, things may get tougher as the campaign develops. The end of season top four cup will always be a potential lottery due to its nature of one off games, but it will take something very special to stop Carlos Vega Mena’s side.
Perth SC v Subiaco match- Image Credit: Rob Lizzi.
Perth SC 5-0 Subiaco
Perth SC took advantage of Fremantle City’s inactivity to leapfrog them into second place with a comfortable win over Subiaco.
The Azzurri’s creative talents of Zoee Spadano, Abbey Meakins, Ella Lincoln, and Jaime Duncanson were given the time and space to work their magic.
It took just six minutes for the home side to go ahead. Liana Cook and Sophia Papalia combined intuitively to play in Duncanson to sweep Perth SC ahead.
Less than three minutes later it was 2-0. Subi lost possession and Lincoln motored along the left to play a perfectly weighted ball across for an unmarked Duncanson to score.
With less than a quarter of an hour on the clock, the Azzurri effectively made the game safe with their third. A well-crafted passing move beginning deep in their own half and ended with Spadano gaining possession, cutting in, tying her defender up in knots and dispatch the ball into the net.
Duncanson completed her hat-trick shortly before the break. She was the beneficiary of a well-judged through ball to run onto and smash home.
The scoring was completed on 63 minutes. Liana Cook took advantage of a heavy touch by a Subiaco defender to run in on goal. She was denied by Zara Board in the Subi goal, but the ball rebounded to Spadano who chipped the ball into the net.
Image Credit: Rob Lizzi
| 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.
The Women’s Game thanks Rob Lizzi for supplying the pictures. Mr. Lizzi can be found on twitter at: @lizzi_rob.
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