Perth RedStar secured a historic third consecutive League / Top Four Double with a stunning goal from Olivia Wood, defeating Perth SC 1-0 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Saturday.
The victory provided a measure of revenge for RedStar, who had been beaten 4-1 by Perth SC in the State Cup Final just two weeks earlier, and had also suffered a penalty shootout loss to the same team in last week’s major semi-final.
That semi-final loss forced RedStar into a mid-week elimination match against Balcatta Etna, which they won 3-2 thanks to two goals from Sarah Carroll and one from Reina Kagami. RedStar’s extra game and their previous losses to Perth meant the Azzurri entered the final as slight favourites.
The first 20 minutes of the game was played between the two penalty boxes with neither side testing the opposition goalkeeper. However, an injury to Daisy McAllister in the 22nd minute forced Perth into a reshuffle of their line-up, with Georgia Cassidy moving into a more central position in midfield and substitute Sam Mathers playing in a wide area on the left.
The game’s decisive goal came six minutes later when Wood received a ball from Reina Kagami. She beat two defenders with neat footwork before curling a delightful right-footed shot into the top corner, giving Stacey Cavill in the Perth goal no chance and making it 1-0.
At halftime, Perth SC made a tactical switch, bringing on Grace Johnston for Epril Nossent, while RedStar stuck with their starting lineup. Perth started the second half with more possession but struggled to break through a well-organized RedStar defence. Pushing forward left Perth vulnerable to counterattacks, and in the 54th minute, Wood nearly doubled RedStar’s lead after being released by another excellent ball from Kagami, only to send her shot wide.
Perth was struggling to penetrate the red wall in front of them and showed signs of growing frustration, none more so than Cassidy, who picked up a yellow in the 60th minute when she kicked out at Caitlin Doeglas.
RedStar continued to harry and hassle Perth players when they were in possession, denying them the space to play. This led to the foul count going up and eventually Emily Dunn was booked in the 70th minute.
Perth then fashioned a chance in the 73rd minute when Lincoln found some space in the box for the first time in the game, but she chose to take a shot when Mathers was clear to her left and Dunn was on hand to block.
A minute later RedStar nearly doubled their lead when Jayna Ridley crashed a first-time shot against the bar from outside of the box with Cavill well beaten.
As time ticked away, Perth SC made a late substitution, bringing on Nadia Harvey in the 83rd minute to add fresh legs. RedStar also made a change, with coach Carlos Vega Mena sending on Katie Richie for Ridley, signalling a more defensive approach to protect their lead.
In injury time Perth became more desperate for the equaliser and in the 93rd minute, it nearly arrived. Lincoln pounced on a ball into the box but was thwarted by a brave dive from Gabby Dal Busco in the RedStar goal, and Andreia Teixeira cleared the loose ball.
That was to be it as far as Perth were concerned, and when the final whistle blew in the 96th minute it was Perth RedStar who claimed the Top 4 title for the third successive season.
Mischa Anderson was named Player of the Match for her excellent work in the centre of defence as RedStar completed a shutout against Perth SC for the second successive game.
This wasn’t the most exciting of games from a spectator’s point of view, but it showcased the two best teams in the league this season, with RedStar showing that they remain the benchmark team in WA women’s football.
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Earlier in the day, the Hyundai NTC took out the U21 Top 4 title when they beat Perth RedStar 3-1.
RedStar’s Lillia Pollard opened the scoring in the 49th minute, but NTC levelled the game 10 minutes later with a penalty from Cate McAuliffe. Just as the match seemed destined for penalties, NTC sealed the win with two quick goals in the 85th and 87th minutes, scored by Lacey Heys and Shenae Rebelo, to secure the title.
