Jaime Duncanson’s late double helped Perth SC return to winning way as they prevailed 4-2 over Murdoch University Melville on Sunday afternoon.
The result kept the Azzurri’s slim NPLWA – Women’s title hopes alive, although realistically it meant they stayed on track to finish second behind champions-elect Perth RedStar.
In a game switched to MUM FC’s Besteam Stadium, Perth SC bounced back from Wednesday night’s Hyundai Women’s State Cup semi-final exit to sew up their finals position.
They took two minutes to open the scoring when Duncanson stole the ball from Charlotte Meaden on the halfway line and threaded through for Judy Connolly to slot past goalkeeper Stacey Cavill.
Perth keeper Rebecca Bennett then saved low from Andrea Preiato, while at the other end Cavill flew across her line to palm away Duncanson’s header.
MUM FC levelled 34 minutes in when teenager Jessica Johnson’s long-range effort went over Bennett and into the back of the net for a ninth goal of the campaign.
The Azzurri regained the lead just past the hour mark when Monique Godding arrived at the back post to net following good work by Jess Flannery down the left.
Perth made the game safe with two minutes remaining as Duncanson lifted the ball over Cavill following Poppie Hooks’ nod forward. Then Perth’s top scorer made it a dozen league goals in 2023 with a simple finish after Gemma Craine’s unselfish assist.
Charli Wainwright stayed onside to slip in a late consolation for Murdoch, but they are now seven points off fourth spot with only three games left.
MUM FC at least have next month’s State Cup final to look forward to, where they will face Hyundai NTC who are well set to finish fourth following their 3-0 win at Subiaco on Sunday.
Ben Anderton’s side are six points clear of fifth-placed Balcatta Etna with a game in hand, and they could be just about out of sight if they defeat RedStar for the second time this season in Wednesday’s Round 14 catch-up game.
Georgia Cassidy had the youngsters up inside six minutes when she pinched the ball off Subi goalkeeper Marissa Pidgeon and slotted in from an acute angle.
A sensational strike from Ischia Brooking doubled the lead in the second period as she whipped home a curling effort from just outside the area.
Cassidy then made a terrific last-ditch challenge to ensure Subi’s Dakota Van Vugt didn’t get a clear strike at goal. NTC’s skipper was withdrawn with injury in the aftermath after an awkward landing following her brave intervention.
Brooking stepped up though to seal proceedings at Rosalie Park with a second long-range stunner of the afternoon, as NTC won again to remain undefeated since their return from NTC Challenge
A place above NTC in the table are Fremantle City, who have seemingly cemented a top-four finish thanks to Olivia Trueman’s 86th-minute winner at Balcatta Etna.
The best chance of the first half fell Freo’s way with Tash Rigby denied by Gabby Dal Busco’s excellent one-on-one save, before Carys Davis steered the ball to safety.
Faye Chambers’ side had a lot of possession, but it took them until the final five minutes to break down a determined Etna side who found clear-cut chances hard to come by. Outstanding on the day, Abbey Green’s perfectly weighted pass picked out Freo’s top scorer Trueman, who scored the game’s only goal and her eighth of the season.
Reina Kagami scored four goals in RedStar's 11-0 win at Curtin. Photo by Rob Lizzi
On Friday, RedStar closed in on claiming back-to-back league titles after hammering bottom side Curtin University 11-0.
Reina Kagami scored four times in the win at Edinburgh Oval which moves her to 20 goals for the season, as RedStar ended the weekend needing a maximum of four points to win the league.
Kagami and Japanese compatriot Chiori Ikeda shared the first four goals of the evening as Carlos Vega Mena’s side jumped out to a 4-0 lead before half-an-hour.
Two Ikeda corners were then headed in by skipper Jay Coleman as RedStar racked up half a dozen goals by the break.
Sophia Neal netted from close range early in the second half, before Kagami’s determination saw her poke in a hat-trick goal to complete a third treble of the campaign.
Ikeda supplied Kagami to bring up nine for the evening and give her a two goal lead over Tia Stonehil in the Golden Boot race.
Katie Ritchie’s deft pass found Jayna Ridley with the substitute striding in on goal and picking out the bottom corner for 10-0, before Ridley returned the favour for Ritchie to finish easily and complete the scoring.
If RedStar win at NTC on Wednesday night, they will be nine points clear of Perth SC with three games to play.