NPLW WA Round 6 Review

With the nascent NPLW WA league approaching the halfway stage, there are finally signs of daylight showing between the leaders MUM FC and the chasing pack. MUM FC was in action on Friday when they took on the only remaining unbeaten side in the league, Football West Hyundai NTC.

Going into the game, MUM was not only the table-toppers but also the highest scorers. Hyundai NTC have shown erratic form this season, beating pre-season favourites Fremantle and last years champions Northern Redbacks, but also dropping points against Curtin and Subiaco, so it was bound to be a fascinating contest. There was also an interesting sub-plot with the NTC coach Ben Anderton up against his assistant during his time at Queens Park, Peter Rakich.

From the kick-off, it became clear that MUM was not going to go toe to toe with NTC but instead, they sat back patiently waiting for their opponents to lose the ball before launching counter-attacks, and the first half was noticeable for its lack of real chances. One finally arrived in the 28th minute when MUM FC full-back Poppie Hooks used her pace to get away down the right flank. Her pass found its way to the league’s leading scorer Kat Jukic who, in turn, dug out a pass to strike partner Stacey Learmont. Learmont’s first time shot was well saved by Junior Matilda keeper Miranda Templeman in the NTC goal who turned the ball away for a corner. That was about all there was in terms of goalmouth action for the first half, with NTC having the lion’s share of possession but unable to break down a well organised MUM FC.

In the 55th minute the game sprung into life, as both keepers were called upon within the space of a minute to stop their sides going behind. First of all MUM FC defender Baxter Thew’s defensive clearance was misjudged by the NTC defence and Jukic sprinted clear with nearly half a pitch in front of her. Her strength enabled her to hold off the converging defenders and she rifled a shot from just inside the box towards the NTC goal. Unfortunately for MUM FC the shot was a little too straight and Templeman was able to push the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, NTC cleared the ball to the halfway line where Kate Armstrong dispossessed Thew and raced towards the goal. With Tijan McKenna free to her left, the better option may have been to pass to her teammate but Armstrong chose to take the shot and it was well saved by Danelle Cornish in the MUM goal.

Even though the game was opening up a little more, chances were few and far between for both sides but the decisive moment occurred in the 84th minute. What looked like just a hopeful long pass by MUM’s Jaymee Gibbons was turned on brilliantly by Learmont into the path of Ellie La Monte. The striker took one touch, then got her shot off before Templeman could set herself and the ball ended up in the bottom corner to give the home team the lead. The result puts MUM FC five points clear at the top of the table and this game could well be a turning point in determining where the title ends up at the end of the season.

On Saturday evening, the two bottom teams faced off against each other at Curtin University’s Edinburgh Oval. Neither side had won a game prior to this match, and they were both desperate for the win, so at times the action got a little heated.

The home team took the lead in the sixth minute when Curtin nipped in to take the ball off Subiaco and sent Tatiana Gonzales free down the left-wing. Gonzales cut in and then curled a delightful shot into the top right-hand corner over the outstretched arm of Subiaco keeper and captain Marissa Pidgeon. Curtin then dominated possession but despite creating chances couldn’t convert and they went in at the break 1-0 up.

After the restart, the game started to really heat up and in the 46th minute, Subiaco’s Amelia Andrew and Curtin’s Jacqueline Mclernon both found themselves in referee Stewart Beatties’s book following some push and shove after Andrew took exception to a robust challenge by Mclernon. In the 54th minute, the visitors drew level following a free-kick. The ball was knocked into the Curtin box but was spilled by keeper Stacey Cavill. Subiaco reacted quickest and sent a shot in towards goal, Curtin cleared off the line but only as far as Elizabeth Wallwork who sent her shot into the net to equalise, much to the delight of her teammates.

The rest of the half was bereft of any clear cut opportunities but there was still time for another flare-up to occur as Curtin substitute Aleisha Bennett and Subiaco’s Halle Williams got involved in some pushing, which earned both of them a yellow card. The final whistle blew to leave both sides still searching for their first win of the season.

A very wet Sunday in Perth resulted in the postponement of the eagerly awaited clash between Balcatta and Fremantle City, but the pitch at Dorrien Gardens was deemed suitable to allow the game between second placed Perth SC and fifth placed Northern Redbacks to go ahead. The state of the pitch at Dorrien was not at all conducive to playing a free-flowing game and with more showers forecast during the game this was going to be a battle of attrition. Perth was looking to ensure the gap between themselves and MUM FC didn’t get any bigger whilst Redbacks simply could not afford to let MUM FC get any further ahead. Redbacks were also having to cope with injuries and absences which left them without four of their first-choice players.

The home team started the stronger of the two, having their first shot at goal inside the first two minutes when Abbey Meakin flashed a shot just wide and the visitors were looking shaky for the first 15 minutes. Both sides were struggling to get any form of rhythm going with their passing as the heavy pitch made slick movements impossible, but the experience of the Redbacks team slowly started to tell. They created a good chance for Emma McMurdo in the 23rd minute who found herself in a one v one in the corner of the box. She beat her defender, but her shot was straight at Perth goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett.

The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute when captain Shawn Billam fed in Lauren Continibali on the left-wing. She still had work to do though and wriggled clear from the defenders before curling a great shot into the bottom right. Perth then had a couple of chances with skipper Jaime Duncanson shooting just wide and winger Emily Henderson almost catching Redbacks keeper Maya Diederichsen out with a mis-hit cross. Back came Redbacks, and following good work from full-back Melanie Doeglas to get her cross in, McMurdo forced a save from Bennett in the Perth goal.

The heavens opened during the second half and both sides were really struggling with the conditions as the pitch turned into a quagmire in parts. Perth’s Liana Cook managed to get clear in the 77th minute but her shot flashed just wide of the Redbacks goal. In the 81st minute, Jayna Ridley broke free into the Perth half. She spotted Bennett off her line but her attempt at a long-range chip was never a good option given the conditions as she slipped when taking her shot. A free-kick for handball against Redbacks just outside their box seemed to offer Perth a chance of a dramatic late equaliser but the wall stood firm. Then a final chance fell to Redbacks substitute Kizane Mulder in injury time as she displayed impressive footwork to get past the Perth defence, but her shot never troubled Bennett. The 1-0 win lifts Redbacks into second spot on goal difference ahead of Perth.

LADDER

Round 7 Fixtures (15th – 16th Aug)

Football West Hyundai NTC vs Perth (15th Aug) – Albany
Northern Redbacks vs Curtin University (16th August)
Subiaco vs Balcatta (16th August)
Fremantle City vs MUM FC (16th August)