Hyundai NTC’s grip on a top-four spot tightened as they defeated Balcatta Etna 2-1 in Round 16 of the NPLWA – Women’s competition.
Sunday’s win means NTC are four points clear of fifth, and five clear of Sunday’s opponents in sixth with the youngsters having games in hand on their finals rivals.
Etna were missing four regular starters including joint-Golden Boot leader Tia Stonehill, as their hopes of a first top-four finish in the NPLW era took a hit with this second straight defeat.
It was a first half of few clear-cut chances at E&D Litis Stadium with Georgia Cassidy’s left-footed drive and Tanika Lala’s header saved with relative comfort by Gabby Dal Busco.
However, early in the second half NTC struck twice in quick succession to ultimately seal victory on their return from NTC Challenge. On 55 minutes, Cassidy spotted keeper Dal Busco off her line and unleashed a second remarkable long-range strike in as many games.
It was 2-0 three minutes later when another new Perth Glory recruit, Tanika Lala, crossed for NTC’s leading scorer Klaudia Houlis to tap in a 10th league goal of the season.
Lala headed Violet Longmore’s cross over the bar as NTC pushed for a third, before Etna substitute Dareskadar Tamru came off the bench and made a good break for the visitors with a run and shot which trickled wide of the upright.
Balcatta netted with 11 minutes remaining as Lauren Continibali’s corner was headed back across goal by Baxter Thew. The lively Tamru leaped and was adjudged to have got the final touch with her header looping over an NTC defender on the line.
No equaliser would follow, though, as NTC managed out the game, while Balcatta face a must-win game at Subiaco next week in their pursuit of finals.
Elsewhere on Sunday, two Gemma Craine goals helped Perth SC win 2-0 over Fremantle City and extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.
The win means the Azzurri are three points behind leaders Perth RedStar, having played a game more, and sets up next Sunday's clash between the pair at RedStar Arena.
Perth got the opener after neat build-up play involving Craine, Judy Connolly and Ella Lincoln. Jess Flannery delivered a cross at the end of the move which was met by a Craine header from six yards.
Goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett made an important one-on-one save from Tash Rigby after Perth Glory’s skipper found herself through on goal with Freo’s best chance of the game.
In the end, the visitors were able to find a second to continue their excellent form. Craine this time linked up with Jaime Ducanson and continued her run before rifling a strike into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
On Friday night, Murdoch University Melville and RedStar played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Besteam Stadium.
It was only the fourth time this season that the defending champions have dropped points, while the hosts ultimately lost ground on fourth spot due to NTC’s win.
MUM FC started well with Samantha Mathers’ shot deflecting over, before Clara Hoarau slashed an effort wide from the subsequent corner. The home side got reward for their early effort on 16 minutes when Charli Wainwright’s corner looped over Maya Diederichsen and into the net.
That seemed to wake up RedStar, who equalised with a beautifully constructed team goal which ended with Reina Kagami rifling in a 15th goal of the campaign to join Tia Stonehill at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Early in the second half, Diederichsen stuck out a boot to deny Sophie Meaden, but soon after the RedStar keeper failed to keep out a long-range strike from Mathers, who now has 13 league goals this year.
However, MUM FC's lead lasted barely two minutes as RedStar hit back again. Kagami’s corner was met at the near post by skipper Jay Coleman, whose smart finish made it 2-2.
That was not the end of the action, though, and both teams came close to winning it at the end. Kagami’s cross evaded the outstretched boot of Katie Ritchie, before Meaden struck a presentable chance into the side netting. Murdoch's Lucy Hope then cleared twice off the line from Sophia Neal and Renee Leota in quick succession as the game ended all-square.
Elsewhere, Subiaco defeated Curtin University 7-3 win with Greg Farrell’s side making it back-to-back wins.
It looked set to be another long night for Curtin as the visitors led 3-0 after 34 minutes at Edinburgh Oval. Marianna Tabain drilled a low finish past Sharon Loader from 18 yards inside the opening few minutes, before Frankie Murray beat the goalkeeper to Danielle Suckling’s through ball and poked into the net.
Dakota Van Vugt made it three against her former team as she raced clear from Tabain’s pass to slot in, and early in the second period Suckling also netted against her old side with an effort from distance.
Curtin threatened a comeback with two quick goals. Hannah Storey finished Tiana Botha’s pass and then Brianna Corbett swiped in a second after good work from Emma Ylias.
Any hopes of a home turnaround were killed off 13 minutes from time when Suckling pulled back for Taylor Reid to score her first Subiaco goal. But there was still time for Corbett to score a stunning consolation as she volleyed brilliantly over the goalkeeper from 30 yards out.
Late goals from Van Vugt and Tabain completed their braces with Subiaco ending the weekend 12 points off fourth.