It is the final round of the NPLWA - Women’s competition this Sunday with all the main issues confirmed.
Hyundai NTC secured the final place in Top Four Cup on Tuesday evening with a 7-0 win over Curtin University, giving Ben Anderton’s team a five-point lead over fifth-placed Balcatta with one game remaining.
NTC join champions Perth RedStar, Perth Soccer Club and Fremantle City in September’s post-season tournament, which will begin a fortnight after the end of the regular season. It is also the second year in a row that all four teams will play in the Top Four Cup.
Maja Archibald’s low left-footed strike had the youngsters in front after nine minutes and they had a second midway through the first half when Ruby Cuthbert arrived to score from a corner.
Ischia Brooking danced down the right before finishing from a tight angle for a 3-0 half-time lead and they had four past the hour mark with a strong Cuthbert header from another set piece.
Nelli Johnson added a couple more in the final 10 minutes before Samantha Brady’s long-range curler beat Curtin goalkeeper Danielle Petch to complete the scoring at Edinburgh Oval.
All that remains now is for the order of the top four sides to be determined, with NTC wrapping up the regular season with another fixture against Curtin on Sunday at E&D Litis Stadium.
A win would give them a chance to finish as high as third and a home semi-final, but they would require Fremantle City to drop points to achieve that goal.
Freo are on the road at champions Perth RedStar after a run of three wins in four games. Faye Chambers’ side must inflict a first defeat on RedStar since Round One if they are to earn a double chance in the post-season given they currently sit two points behind Perth SC.
RedStar’s league title was cemented a fortnight ago when they drew 3-3 with Balcatta Etna. They are unbeaten in 19 matches and this weekend they will be officially presented with the trophy for a second straight year, having emphatically defended their crown from last year.
The other fixture of consequence for the make-up of the top four is Perth’s home game with Balcatta Etna at Dorrien Gardens.
A point is likely good enough for the Azzurri to confirm second place given their superior goal difference over Fremantle City.
Balcatta, meanwhile, will be looking to end their season on a high having lost only once in their past five games. But this will be the fourth year in a row where they have failed to qualify for the finals.
Finally, Murdoch University Melville and Subiaco kick off the weekend action on Friday night at Besteam Stadium.
Neither team can move from their respective league positions of sixth and seventh. Subi will be trying to win for a sixth time this year, while MUM FC will want to go into next Saturday’s Hyundai Women’s State Cup final against NTC in the best possible shape having won only once in their last eight league games.
All games live and free on Streamer: https://streamer.com.au/league/nplwawomens