5 Things from NPLW WA Round 16

With the exception of the postponed tie between Curtin University and Perth RedStar, all games of Round 16 of the WA NPLW were played on Sunday.

The final stretch is now in sight and every game for the teams from 2nd to 6th is becoming crucial as they all jostle for a spot in the post-season Top 4 cup.

The game between Balcatta Etna and MUM FC was probably the game of the round, as there was only one point separating the two teams going into the game. Balcatta prevailed, running out 2-0 winners to cement their spot in 4th place and move to within a point of 3rd placed Perth SC.

Perth’s hopes of securing 2nd spot and earning a second chance in the Top 4 cup took a dent when they went down 1-0 to the Hyundai NTC. This was their third defeat of the season to the youngsters and also moves the NTC firmly back into contention for a top 4 spot.

In the 3rd game of the day the visitors, Fremantle City, had a convincing 6-1 win against their hosts, Subiaco AFC, to move five points clear of Perth and put themselves in the box seat for second place.

The game between Curtin University and Perth RedStar was postponed to August.

Balcatta show true resilience

The game on Sunday between 4th placed Balcatta Etna and 5th placed MUM FC was hugely significant for both clubs, with MUM FC hoping to overtake their hosts by taking the three points whilst Balcatta were hoping to snap a three-game losing streak in the league.

The home team were also looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking midweek cup semi-final defeat when they lost in a penalty shootout to Perth SC. Leading 1-0 through a Lauren Continibali 1st half goal, they were seconds away from the final until they conceded a 93rd-minute penalty that was despatched with aplomb by ex-Balcatta player Abbey Meakins. Despite Perth missing their first penalty in the shootout, Balcatta couldn’t convert their five and went out.

Going into the game Balcatta were without captain and goalkeeper Gabby Dal Busco, as well as leading goalscorer Monique Prinsloo (both out with COVID), so it would have been no surprise if they had dropped points. Instead, they responded with a display that would have delighted coach Steve Atkins and they ran out 2-0 winners with a first-half brace from Elizabeth Doust securing the points.

The result moves them four points clear of MUM FC to remain in 4th spot, but also takes them to within one point of 3rd placed Perth SC.

Perth SC stumbling

In Round 12, Perth SC hosted Perth RedStar with a genuine belief that they could stop the RedStar juggernaut and cut into the 10-point gap between themselves and the leaders. They were also three points clear of Fremantle City and seemingly in control of second place on the table.

Perth SC lost that game 1-0, which is a result they have become used to, as they have now lost two of their last three league games by the same scoreline and won last week’s home game 1-0. The return of just one goal in four games has hurt them badly in the race for second spot, and they now sit in third spot, five points behind Fremantle, albeit with two games in hand.

They do have a cup final to look forward to though. Perth SC take on Perth RedStar in next weeks State Cup Final after clinching the spot with a dramatic semi-final win on Wednesday, that was decided after Perth scored a penalty late in injury time to equalise and send the game to a penalty shoot-out.

NTC is still in the hunt for a top 4 spot

The topsy-turvy nature of the season has meant that the Hyundai NTC has managed to keep in touch with the top 4 throughout, and their win against Perth SC on Sunday has once again moved them firmly into the reckoning for their first ever finals appearance in the NPLW era.

A fine team goal by Louise Tana was enough to secure the points, and it’s clear that Tana and her teammates enjoy playing against the Azzurri, as this is the third victory they have recorded against them this season.

They currently sit just two points behind Balcatta Etna and three points behind third-placed Perth SC. Their next two games are against MUM FC and Balcatta Etna FC, and the youngsters will go into both games off the back of just one loss in the last four.

Player quality continues to improve

In Round 15, 100-game ALW veteran Marianna Tabain returned to NPLW football when she turned out for Subiaco AFC in their 2-0 loss against MUM FC. On Sunday, Ella Mastrantonio pulled on a Subiaco shirt for her first ever appearance in the NPLW, following her return home after a spell in Europe playing for Bristol City, SS Lazio and Pomigliano C.F.

Subiaco’s goalkeeper for that game was young Zara Board, who has recently earned a call up to the Junior Matildas. In opposition for Fremantle was current Perth Glory captain Tash Rigby and ex-Perth Glory player Kat Jukic (who scored a hat trick), whilst fellow ex-Perth Glory player Jamie-Lee Gale was on the bench.

In the game between Balcatta Etna FC and MUM FC Sadie Lawrence and Poppie Hooks from Perth Glory were on the pitch for MUM FC, whilst ex-Perth Glory players Abbey Meakins, Jaymee Gibbons and Liana Cook were playing for Perth SC in the remaining fixture between Hyundai NTC and Perth SC.

The league is in a healthy state whilst players of this calibre are turning out on a regular basis.

RedStar is one step closer to the title

Despite not playing over the weekend, the league leaders’ grip on top spot tightened with Perth SC losing to the Hyundai NTC. Currently sitting on 42 points, they only require three more to clinch the title as neither Fremantle (maximum 43 points) nor Perth SC (maximum 44 points) can catch them if they win one more game.

Coach Carlos Vega Mena will not allow his players to think any further ahead than this Sunday’s State Cup final game though. They take on Perth SC after disposing of Curtin 4-0 in the semi-final last week with goals from Shawn Billam, Carla Bennett (2) and Larissa Walsh.

Click here for Round 16 goal highlights

Round 16 Results

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

League Ladder