COVID took a heavy toll on Round 4 of the NPLW with just 2 games being played. Perth RedStar FC vs Subiaco AFC and Fremantle City vs Perth SC went ahead whilst Curtin vs MUM FC and Hyundai NTC vs Balcatta Etna were both postponed.
In the 2 games played, Perth RedStar FC maintained their 100% win with an emphatic 9-0 win against Subiaco AFC, whilst Fremantle City and Perth SC played out a scoreless draw, allowing Perth RedStar FC to open up a five-point gap at the top of the table.
No warm welcome for a returning coach
The game between Perth RedStar FC and Subiaco AFC saw the return to the home club of Greg Farrell as head coach of Subiaco. Farrell had been at Northern Redbacks/Perth RedStar FC for four seasons as the reserve team coach, assistant coach for the first team and director of Women’s Football, but left prior to the season start to become head coach at Subiaco. Even though he has only been at his new club for a few weeks, he has already made an impact in that short time and has introduced a more possession-based approach to playing than had previously been played by last year’s wooden spooners.
Any hopes he may have had of his former club showing him any sort of generosity were quickly dashed though, as the home side simply ran rampant against his new team. Whilst it may be of little consolation, Farrell may be able to take some small satisfaction that the RedStar side that so comprehensively outplayed Subiaco contained players he had a major part in developing whilst he was at Redbacks/RedStar.
Players doubling as physios
A knee injury to Perth Glory skipper Tash Rigby in the goalless draw between Fremantle City and Perth SC saw fellow player and ex-Glory defender Jamie-Lee Gale provide on-field assistance prior to the official physio coming onto the field. Gale ran her colleague through a series of tests and continued to do so even when the physio was in attendance.
The west continues to produce good goalkeepers
Over the years WA has produced a number of fine goalkeepers, including current Matilda Lydia Williams, Young Matilda / Perth Glory keeper Morgan Aquino and Junior Matilda Miranda Templeman. Even though nine goals were scored against her on Sunday, Zara Board from Subiaco AFC looks set to join this list. She earned a call up to the recent Junior Matildas camp, but COVID prevented her from attending. Her display against RedStar ensured that the tally was kept below double figures with several crucial saves.
In the other game of the round, Fremantle City goalkeeper Dale Schroeder continued her fine run of form with a number of important saves to help earn her side a point, and she is one of the best shot-stoppers in a league with many fine keepers.
Tash Rigby is crucial for Fremantle
The Perth Glory skipper has started the season with a bang. Her marauding runs from right-back cause problems for Fremantle’s opponents, while helping create goals and chances for her team. On Sunday she was again creating problems for the Perth SC defence until a knee injury in the 30th minute forced her from the field. This led to Fremantle having to adjust and they moved Jamie-Lee Gale from an advanced position to full back. Fremantle were already without captain Mikayla Lyons, so their attacking options were severely limited from that point onwards. It’s perhaps no surprise that they were held scoreless against Perth SC.
Has the Goal Of The Season been scored already?
With Perth RedStar FC scoring nine goals on Sunday, there was always a good chance that one of them would be a banger, but despite Sarah Carroll bagging a hat trick and leading goal scorer Larissa Walsh netting another brace, neither of them was the one to provide it. Instead, the honour went to centre back Andreia Teixeira. She netted her first of the season when she stole the ball just inside the Subiaco half, took a couple of touches and then launched an audacious chip from just outside the centre circle to take the ball over keeper Zara Board’s despairing dive in the Subiaco goal. This is the second time that Teixeira has scored a long-range effort against Subiaco, as she smashed home an absolute rocket against them in last season’s 2-0 victory. Her effort on Sunday can be viewed here.
Click here for Round 4 Highlights
Round 4 Results
Perth RedStar FC 9 – 0 Subiaco FC
Fremantle City 0 – 0 Perth SC
Hyundai NTC P – P Balcatta Etna
Curtin Uni P – P MUM FC
League Ladder
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Perth RedStar FC | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | 20 | 12 |
| 2 | Fremantle City | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | Perth SC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | MUM FC | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Hyundai NTC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 4 |
| 6 | Subiaco AFC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 13 | -12 | 1 |
| 7 | Balcatta Etna | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 8 | Curtin University | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 |
