5 Things from NPLW WA Round 8

Round eight of the NPLW WA lost one game to COVID as the match between MUM FC and Subiaco was postponed.

It started on Friday evening with Fremantle City beating Curtin University 6-2 in an extraordinary game that saw all eight goals scored in the second half. At one point Curtin led 2-1, albeit for just over a minute as Fremantle equalised from the restart.

On Sunday, the weather turned decidedly wintery, but this didn’t prevent Perth RedStar from recording their seventh consecutive victory when they beat Football West NTC 5-1. This is also the seventh game in which RedStar have scored three goals or more, and they are setting a red hot pace at the top of the table.

The round was completed with a 1-0 win for Perth SC in the Italian derby against Balcatta Etna.

There was also a midweek game, as Football West NTC and Balcatta Etna played a 0-0 draw in a rescheduled round 4 fixture.

Five Star Sarah Carroll

Perth RedStar’s 5-1 win was their seventh consecutive victory and the result followed the form book. What was not expected though, was that all five of their goals would come from set-pieces and all would be provided or scored by Sarah Carroll. She scored from a free-kick and a penalty, while her corner deliveries resulted in the other three goals. The Perth Glory player has been in fine form since coming back from the ALW campaign – she now has six goals and seven assists to her name.

Gabby Dal Busco – Improving With Age

Balcatta Etna has not had the best start to the season and currently sits second from the bottom with only one win to their name and four goals scored. Their goal difference is just minus 4 though, and they have the fourth best defensive record in the league (eight goals conceded).

This is due, in no small part, to the excellent form of their captain and goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco. The ex-Young Matilda and Perth Glory keeper has made many eye-catching saves this season, and she was only beaten on Sunday by a fine free-kick from Perth’s Abbey Meakins. Dal Busco’s shot-stopping ability is second to none, and she is also excellent with crosses and corners. There is no better keeper in the league right now, and Dal Busco is like a fine wine that keeps improving with age.

Perth SC Are A Tough Nut To Crack

Perth’s 1-0 win on Sunday against Balcatta Etna was their fifth clean sheet of the season and their fourth in a row. Football West NTC are the only team to have scored against Perth, when they beat the Azzurri 3-2 in Round 2. New coach Pete Rakic has instilled a meanness about their defence that is making them hard to break down, and the upcoming encounter they have with Perth RedStar will be fascinating to watch as it will pit the strongest defence in the league against the most potent attack. The date of this match is yet to be determined: it requires rescheduling following a postponement due to COVID.

Set Pieces

There was a total of 15 goals in the three games over the weekend and of those 15, nine were from set pieces. On Friday evening Curtin scored from a free kick and a corner, whilst Fremantle City netted from a penalty. On Sunday, all of Perth RedStar’s goals came from set pieces as they scored via three corner kicks, a free kick and a penalty kick, while in the last game of the round Perth SC earned all three points thanks to a free kick from Abbey Meakins.

Where Have the Women Referees Gone?

The NPLW Night Series Final in March was the first time that a 1st team NPL Final had both a woman as referee and two women as assistant referees. Since that historic occasion there have been no women appointed as matchday referees for an NPLW 1st team game, although there have been women running the lines. Hopefully, it won’t be long before a woman takes the whistle for another NPLW 1st team fixture.

Click here for Round 8 goal highlights

Round 8 Results

Curtin University FC 2-6 Fremantle City FC
Balcatta Etna FC 0-1 Perth SC
Hyundai NTC Women 1-5 Perth RedStar FC
MUM FC P–P Subiaco AFC

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