An absorbing game between Perth RedStar and Perth SC in Sunday night’s NPLW Night Series Final saw Perth SC emerge victorious. They overcame a two goal deficit to win via penalty shootout and claim their first trophy of the NPLW era. The win also meant Perth SC became the first team to beat Perth RedStar since RedStar’s formation in 2022.
Going into the game Perth were fielding a new-look team from last season. New signings Poppie Hooks (MUM FC), Monique Gooding (Balcatta Etna) and Ellie Lamonte (Launceston United – Tasmania) featured, as did Gemma Craine, who was returning from a season-long injury break.
Perth RedStar had also changed from last season following the departures of Football West NPLW Gold Medal winner Larissa Walsh (Calder United – Victoria), Shawn Billam (retired from playing to take up a coaching role) and Carla Bennett (out for the season due to injury). They were also left stunned by the sudden departure of new goalkeeper and Young Matilda Zara Board to South Melbourne, just one day after the semi-final win against Fremantle City. Her move forced veteran keeper Maya Diederichsen out of retirement to don the gloves, while there were also two new faces with the arrival from Japan of Chiori Ikeda and Reina Kagami.
The game followed a familiar pattern from last season with Perth SC having the upper hand for the first 15-20 minutes of the game, before RedStar slowly worked their way back into the contest. RedStar won a penalty in the 32nd minute when Sophia Papalia was adjudged to have fouled Renee Leota in the box. Sarah Carroll made no mistake with the spot kick and 10 minutes later, last season’s Quadruple winners doubled their lead when a neat backheel from Ikeda freed up Kagami, who swept the ball into the net.
At the start of the second half, Perth SC coach Peter Rakic introduced Craine and her direct running immediately began to cause problems for the RedStar defence. Despite this and the introduction of Ellie Lamonte, the RedStar defence held firm until the 71st minute when Andreia Teixeira brought down Judy Connolly in the box. Abbey Meakins took the second penalty of the game and halved the deficit to make the game 2-1.
RedStar weren’t content to hang on though, and just a few minutes after the penalty a superb double save by Perth SC shotstopper Rebecca Bennett denied Ikeda and captain Jay Coleman.
With time running out for Perth SC, some neat footwork by Judy Connolly earned her some precious space in the box. She stabbed the ball home in the last minutes of the game to make the score 2-2 and send the match into a penalty shoot-out.
This was just as dramatic as the preceding 90 minutes and after the regulation five kicks the scores were tied at 4-4. Both sides then converted their next two kicks before Perth SC converted their seventh kick. With tension at breaking point, it was Coleman who was the unfortunate player to miss, sparking wild celebrations from Perth SC as they finally landed their first silverware of the NPLW era.
The Gold Medal winner was RedStar goalkeeper Maya Diederichsen, who produced a string of vital saves. Her counterpart Bennett must also have been in the running for her fine game which included a successful penalty kick during the shoot-out.
Perth captain Alyssa Van Heurck was understandably delighted with her team’s victory and had this to say about how they overcame the two-goal deficit.
“We just said stick to the game plan, don’t rush it, don’t force it. We play a possession-based game and we just wanted to keep the urgency up.”
Click here for a full interview with Alyssa Van Heurck.
Perth RedStar assistant coach Shawn Billam was philosophical about the result after the game, but felt there were positives to take into next week’s season opener.
“Obviously, disappointed with the end result, letting the game go to penalties … I think we’ll fare well in the season and we’ll build on it each week. It’s just the start and we have a long way to go and we can only go up.”
Click here for a full interview with Shawn Billam.
Prior to the Final, the 3rd / 4th placed game between Fremantle City and Hyundai NTC saw Fremantle run out 2-0 winners with goals from Jamie Lee Gale and Rhianna Lulitanond.
