We returned to a full set of fixtures last weekend and NPLW WA Round 4 was a real goal fest, with 23 goals scored in the four games.
Perth SC remains top of the table after hitting six against MUM FC, Hyundai NTC showed they can be considered genuine title contenders with their third straight win of the season in an eight-goal thriller against Subiaco, Perth RedStar hit seven in a comfortable win against bottom team Curtin University, whilst Balcatta Etna and Fremantle City played out a 1-1 draw at Grindleford Reserve.
Curtin University 0 – 7 Perth RedStar
NPLW WA Round 4 kicked off on Friday evening when Perth RedStar travelled to Curtin University. The result was never in doubt from the moment RedStar took the lead in the 8th minute through Quyen Doan. The lead was doubled just a minute later as skipper Jay Coleman converted from a Doan cross. Two more quick-fire goals in the 21st and 25th minutes by Renee Leota and Sarah Carroll made it 4-0 and things were looking ominous for the hosts, who had conceded 29 goals in their previous three games.
The momentum that RedStar had been building was then abruptly halted when the floodlights went out in the 33rd minute, forcing players and officials to leave the pitch. There was a ten-minute delay before the lights came back on and the players returned. The visitors then added a 5th goal in the 44th minute through ex-Perth Glory and Canberra United player Bronwyn Studman.
The second half was just as one-sided. However the visitors lacked ruthlessness, the home side packed their penalty area with as many bodies as possible and goalkeeper Hanna Stoney proved to be a resolute last line of defence. There were just two more goals added, through Leota and a last minute penalty by Carroll.
Speaking after the game RedStar coach Carlos Vega Mena had this to say:
“We tried to play our football and managed to score seven goals in the process.
“It was good to see seven U21s get time on the pitch (with) three in the starting 11. I am happy with the way the team played together.”
Things are looking bleak for Curtin, who have now conceded 36 goals and are yet to score in their four games. They didn’t muster a single shot in this game and have a mountain of work to do if they wish to be competitive.
For RedStar, three points pushed them to third as they try to match last season’s all-conquering form. Their finishing is the only thing that Vega Mena may wish to improve, as their passing and approach play was showing signs of being back to its best.
Perth SC 6 – 0 MUM FC
Following the 0-0 draw against Perth RedStar last week, league leaders Perth SC were keen to take maximum points in NPLW WA Round 4. Their opponents were a young and energetic MUM FC, who had already taken three points off Fremantle City on the opening day.
Perth SC were without the influential Gemma Craine due to injury, as well as midfielder Jaymee Gibbons. However, coach Peter Rakic was still able to field a side full of attacking intent and he welcomed Abbey Meakins back into the lineup after she missed the game against RedStar.
Perth SC took the lead in the 28th minute when Monique Godding was the first to react to a Faye Phillips shot which crashed back off the bar. They doubled the score just three minutes later with a fine solo goal by Ella Lincoln.
In the box seat now, the home team effectively killed the game off with two quick goals in the second half. Phillips struck in the 51st minute and just a minute later substitute Jamie Duncanson made it 4-0.
Duncanson made it five in the 65th minute and Ellie La Monte wrapped it up in the 68th minute, scoring her 5th of the season and taking her to the lead in the Golden Boot race.
Rakic was delighted with his team’s performance and had this to say about it afterwards:
“Very pleased with the result and the forward momentum it gives us, especially considering the circumstances of our current injury and absent list. With the likes of Gemma Craine, Jaymee Gibbons and Poppie Hooks currently missing in action, we really couldn’t afford another knock.
“Jaime Duncanson’s fitness was also under scrutiny but fortunately, she was able to play 45 minutes and she made a significant impact coming off the bench, combining almost immediately with Ellie La Monte which resulted in three second half goals between the pair.”
This was a big win by Perth and as they are yet to concede a goal this season they have built up a large goal difference already (+16). Perth SC will feel confident ahead of their next game against NTC in a fortnight’s time, but also know that they will be severely tested by a team who could be one of their biggest challengers for the title.
MUM FC have to go back to the drawing board after this one but have a chance to regain some much-needed confidence when they face off against a struggling Curtin University in Round 5.
Balcatta Etna 1 – 1 Fremantle City
This NPLW WA Round 4 game promised to be a close affair with both sides sitting on three points. Fremantle had lost two games, as opposed to just the one loss for Balcatta Etna, so in terms of form hosts Balcatta were slight favourites for the win.
Neither side could break the deadlock in a tight first half, however both keepers were forced to make some smart saves. Fremantle’s Dayle Schroeder denied Etna’s Kim McCartney from long range, whilst Gabby Dal Busco did well to prevent Fremantle’s Janice Kiama from scoring. Balcatta’s defence was also alert when a Laura Waltman shot was cleared off the line by Elizabeth Doust.
The first goal came in the 59th minute when a terrific ball from Balcatta’s Monique Prinsloo found strike partner Tia Stonehill. The 2021 NPLW WA joint Golden Boot winner made no mistake with her finish and Balcatta celebrated her well-taken goal with great enthusiasm.
Fremantle was by no means beaten though, and they scored an equaliser that their play deserved when a Jamie Lee Gale cross picked out Olivia Trueman in the 75th minute, and she made no mistake with her header.
Fremantle continued to press for a winner, but Balcatta held on for the point which moved them into the top four on goal difference.
With 65% possession compared to Balcatta’s 35%, the visitors can justifiably feel they deserved a little more from this game. However, Balcatta has shown they are difficult to break down and the Stonehill – Prinsloo combination is proving to be dangerous on the break.
After the game, Balcatta Etna coach Tim Cash offered his thoughts and views on his team’s performance:
“(It was a) good contest but disappointed not to hold the lead. (I was) pleased with the effort and a great goal by Tia Stonehill brilliantly created by Mon Prinsloo.
Subiaco AFC 3 – 5 Hyundai NTC
NPLW WA Round 4 concluded with a hugely entertaining game at Rosalie Park. Hyundai NTC took all three points with another impressive display against a Subiaco side that continues to show signs of improvement.
NTC was the only side in the competition with a 100% record coming into Round 4. They established a two goal lead over their hosts in the first half through a Georgia Cassidy penalty in the 38th minute and a first-ever senior goal for Klaudia Houlis in the 39th minute.
Coach Ben Anderton’s side was looking comfortable at this stage, and they extended their lead to 4-0 through an own goal in the 48th minute and a second goal from Houlis in the 56th.
In previous seasons this may well have signalled the end of any opposition from Subiaco. However, coach Greg Farrell has instilled a strong sense of self-belief in his players and it was Subiaco who scored next.
Ex-Perth Glory and Melbourne City player Marianna Tabain pulled one back to make it 4-1 in the 60th minute, and then ex-Perth RedStar U21 player Rachel Larsen curled in a delicious shot to make it 4-2 in the 79th minute.
Nerves now started to become a little frayed in the NTC defence, and when Subiaco’s Frankie Murray scored a third in the 88th minute to make it 4-3, the prospect of a jaw-dropping comeback was most definitely on the cards.
With Subiaco pressing for the most unlikely of equalisers they were always susceptible to a breakaway. In added time, NTC’s Louise Tana finished off a move that started in their own half to end the scoring and finally finish off Subiaco’s resistance.
Subiaco coach Greg Farrell had this to say at the end of the game:
“We were outplayed for the first 60 minutes and (even though) we defended well for the first 30 minutes, a series of mistakes saw us concede four goals in the next 25-30 minutes.
“The NTC side was excellent in their movement, decision making and positioning for large parts of the game and they’ve certainly shifted to another gear this season.
“In future, if we can be more efficient in front of the goal, we’ll give ourselves a better opportunity to win games like this. Credit to the NTC though, Ben’s side was definitely the better team today.”
Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs for Subiaco as they were able to score three goals against a defence that hadn’t been breached in their two previous games. However, Subiaco were also given a harsh lesson in how to move the ball with NTC showing they are one of the league’s best in this aspect of the game. With the potential for A-League Women players to arrive during the May transfer window, Subiaco will look to build from this performance and make the top four for the first time ever.
NTC coach Ben Anderton would no doubt be delighted with the way his side controlled the game for 60 minutes, but he would also be less than happy that all that good work was nearly undone in a 30 minute display of poor defending and poor decision-making. He will be keen to address those aspects of his team’s performance before the big Round 5 clash against Perth SC in a fortnight’s time.
The league now takes a break for a week as all the NPLW teams are taking part in Round 1 of the State Cup. An all-NPLW clash between Curtin and Subiaco in the first round means there will be at least one NPLW team eliminated before the second round.
Click here for the Round 4 goal highlights.
League Standings after NPLW WA Round 4
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points | ||
| 1 | Perth SC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | +16 | 10 |
| 2 | Hyundai NTC | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 9 |
| 3 | Perth RedStar | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 7 |
| 4 | Balcatta Etna | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 4 |
| 5 | Fremantle City | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Subiaco AFC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 3 |
| 7 | MUM FC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 3 |
| 8 | Curtin University | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36 | -36 | 0 |
Round 5 Fixtures
Fri 28th April
MUM FC vs CURTIN UNIVERSITY – Besteam Stadium 7:30 pm
Sunday 30th April
FREMANTLE FC vs SUBIACO AFC – Hilton Park 3:00 pm
PERTH REDSTAR FC vs BALCATTA ETNA FC – RedStar Arena 3:00 pm
PERTH SC vs HYUNDAI NTC – Dorrien Gardens 4:00 pm
