Balcatta Etna will aim to put themselves back in the play-off picture in Round 12 of the NPLWA – Women’s competition when they host leaders Perth RedStar at Grindleford Reserve on Sunday.
Three wins in a row had lifted Etna to the edge of the finals places, but one point from six against Subiaco and Fremantle City has stalled their progress.
Laura Waltman’s 89th-minute winner for Fremantle last Sunday inflicted a first defeat in five for Tim Cash’s team who sit three points behind fourth-placed Perth SC with a game in hand.
“Ultimately, we’ve had games, particularly against Perth, where we were switched on for the whole game, but when you switch off for a moment in this league against quality teams like Fremantle, then moments like that can happen,” Cash said.
“We probably shouldn’t have conceded the goals we did against Subiaco either, and we should have taken something from last week’s game, but that’s football and we only view ourselves as improving and getting better, and that’s the underlying message.
“As a coach you always want to be better, but we have shown this season we can beat anyone on our day and play very good football. So, from that perspective I’m happy, and while you wish in certain games things had gone differently, you have to accept it’s happened and move on.”
One of the positives of the campaign so far has been the promising strike pairing of Monique Prinsloo and off-season recruit Tia Stonehill. Cash has been pleased with how the partnerships across his team have developed overall and hopes to see even more growth as the season continues.
“When you have good players up front you always have a good chance of scoring,” he said.
“The girls have worked really hard on that relationship and we’ve seen when they’re on their game that they can be unplayable at times. We’ve just got to make sure we give them the right supply and that’s something we’ve been working on, but we’re delighted with the combination we’ve seen within games.
“We’re also really pleased to have Kim (McCartney) back. She’s made a big difference and it’s been a great partnership with Elizabeth Doust. Sometimes we need to give them a bit more protection and I believe some of the goals we’ve conceded haven’t been their issue.”
Balcatta’s next challenge is against leaders Perth RedStar, who have not lost in the league since an opening day defeat to Hyundai NTC back in April.
The earlier season meeting in Joondalup saw the defending champions win 3-0, and Cash has challenged his team to put in a strong showing which he believes will help them rediscover their consistency.
“The key for us is to group together, keep training well and try to master what we do, and if we can do that then hopefully we can have a successful end to the season,” he said.
“RedStar are a team I have a lot of respect for. The hope is that if we can stay in the game then we can win the game, but you just don’t want to let them get on top of you because it becomes very hard if they do.
“It’s also about taking our chances when they present themselves. Every girl has got to show up for us this weekend, the 11, and the subs, and if we do that I’m confident we can win.”
The round begins on Saturday night as bottom side Curtin University host Murdoch University Melville at Edinburgh Oval.
The hosts’ tough season continues after back-to-back double-digit losses, despite showing signs of improvement in prior weeks against Subiaco and Balcatta. They are still awaiting their first points this year, while MUM FC have drawn both of their past two outings 3-3.
A win for David Biancuzzo’s team will apply a bit of pressure on Hyundai NTC and Perth SC who meet in the third-versus-fourth clash at E&D Litis Stadium on Sunday. In news during the week, NTC midfielders Georgia Cassidy and Grace Johnston were confirmed as new signings by Perth Glory for the 2023/24 A-League season, while on the pitch they ended a four-match winless run last time out with a win over Subiaco.
The Azzurri, meanwhile, have collected credible draws away at MUM FC and leaders Perth RedStar in the past fortnight, but three points are a must if they are to have hopes of catching the top two.
Subiaco and Fremantle meet in the weekend’s final match with time running out for Greg Farrell’s team if they are to make a late dash at the top four despite a largely competitive season.
Faye Chambers’ side sit second after developing a three-point cushion on third thanks to four wins in five games, which has seen them emerge as the likely title challenger to RedStar.
Round 12 fixtures
Saturday (5pm)
Curtin University v Murdoch University Melville
Sunday (3pm unless stated)
Hyundai NTC v Perth SC
Balcatta Etna v Perth RedStar
Subiaco v Fremantle City (3.45pm)