Caitlin Doeglas bagged a brace as Perth RedStar came from a goal down to defeat Perth Soccer Club 2-1 at Dorrien Gardens and make it two wins from two games in the NPLWA Women’s competition.
RedStar had to work for the points in humid conditions after falling behind in the first minute of the game. But a great performance in goal from Gabby Dal Busco and two classy finishes from Doeglas, including a 84th minute winner, ensured the defending champions join Balcatta on six points at the top of the league.
In a battle between last season’s top two, Perth came to play. And their intent was shown after only 30 seconds when Jess Flannery’s cross eventually reached Ella Lincoln with last season’s leading scorer for the Azzurri firing right footed beyond Dal Busco.
Flannery put over the bar after her initial shot was saved by Dal Busco, before the former Balcatta shot stopper denied Lincoln twice with brilliant saves turned around the post.
The visitors’ first chance came when Sarah Carroll ghosted in behind Perth’s defence to fire straight at Perth keeper Lilly Bailey and that proved to be a warning as the score became 1-1 just past the half-hour.
Bronwyn Studman played a perfectly weighted diagonal pass for Doeglas to run on to the ball and lift it coolly over Bailey to make it two goals in two games.
That gave RedStar a footing in the game and in the second half both teams had chances to win an entertaining contest.
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Lincoln was again by Dal Busco who smothered at the feet of the striker when he went through on goal, while at the other end Jayna Ridley failed to put the ball past Bailey from six yards after a fantastic team move from Carlos Vega Mena’s side.
The game’s decisive moment came six minutes from time. Doeglas collected a return pass from Momoko Sakairi wide on the left, dribbled to the edge of the area then unleashed a sensational strike beyond the diving Bailey to win it.
Perth SC played in pink yesterday as part of the club's annual fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research.
Balcatta Etna are the league’s early leaders on goal difference after easing to a 3-1 win over Fremantle City, who are still awaiting their first point of the season.
Lucy Jerram hit the bar inside the first five minutes and Abbey Meakins smashed wide in the first 10 minutes at Grindleford Reserve.
Fremantle came close when Janice Kiama’s header was clawed away by Isabella Comito before Sophie Meaden follow-up was cleared off the line by Liana Cook.
But it was two goals from the home side before the break which gave them the upper hand. The first was a blistering finish into the bottom corner from Jerram who continued her brilliant start to the campaign with her fifth goal in two matches.
A minute before the break and it was 2-0. Former Gold Medal winner Kat Jukic was on hand to turn in a scrappy goal from close range which opened her account for Etna.
And with an hour on the clock there would be no way back for Fremantle as Balcatta added a third to continue their fine early season form.
Meakins was fouled in the area and got up to convert a twice-taken penalty with the first effort ruled out due to encroachment.
Fremantle's goal came with virtually the last touch when Tiana Boots stabbed home from close in following a corner.
On Saturday, UWA Nedlands and Subiaco AFC both picked up their first point of the campaign in a 2-2 draw at UWA Sports Park.
The hosts led on 20 minutes when Serena Lin spotted an open Emily Dinsdale with the skipper running and rolling past Ash Riddle for the opener.
Despite the setback, Subiaco turned it around to lead at the interval. Off-season recruit Cass Harvey got them both in the space of two minutes, first arriving to follow in after Savannah Oolsthorn’s shot was spilled by Morgan Springer, before she split two defenders and finished one-on-one past the UWA keeper.
But Lawrence Lewis’ side stuck to their task and levelled with 21 minutes remaining when Samara Riches spotted the goalkeeper off her line and executed a lob which dropped into the back of the net.
Both teams had a chance to win it. Subi’s Sara Kifayatullah struck low at Springer after a one-two with Stella Zampogna, while UWA’s Dinsdale rifled wide of the post leaving both sides content with a draw.
Round Two will be completed on Wednesday night when Hyundai NTC host Murdoch University Melville at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
