South West Phoenix close gap on UWA

The race Women’s State League title is well and truly on after Sunday’s Round 17 fixtures.

With league leaders UWA Nedlands having a bye, the focus was on whether reigning champions South West Phoenix and third-place Sorrento could make ground.

And that they did, with Phoenix now just three points behind the pace-setters with two matches in hand following their resounding 5-0 victory over Perth AFC on Saturday night.

The home side were kept out for over half-an-hour but once Shauna Wetherell broke the deadlock it was straightforward. Ava Richards extended the lead before half-time, then Wetherell added her second early in the second half. Salli Howden-Woodland made it 4-0 on 60 minutes and Lara Graham got the fifth 10 minutes from the end.

SWP beat Perth AFC
After being frustrated for over half an hour, South West Phoenix proved too strong for Perth AFC. Photo via South West Phoenix Facebook

Sorrento go into their must-win clash against UWA this Sunday five points behind the leaders. They remained in the hunt with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Stirling Macedonia on Sunday. Isabella Asphar converted a penalty a minute before the break, Lisa Cunningham added a second with nine minutes to play and a Xara Hughes own goals completed the scoring.

ECU Joondalup have a 10-point buffer in fourth following their 4-0 win over Armadale. Two goals each for Talissa Hollis and Frankie Murray, one a penalty, sealed the deal.

Gwelup Croatia scored twice in the final eight minutes to beat Mandurah City 3-2. Ieesha Caton gave Gwelup an early advantage, but it was Mandurah wo were in front at the interval thanks to Elizabeth Green’s equaliser and Melissa Spillman’s penalty. Ana Denona brought Gwelup back on terms in the 82nd minute and the comeback was complete when Alyssa Tunzi hit the winner six minutes later.

Results and table

Fremantle City (Black) are six points clear in the Women’s Amateur League after they won 4-1 win at Balga and second-place Curtin University drew with Fremantle City (Maroon).

Hamersley Rovers in third won 4-2 at Perth AFC. Jemma Flis, Ella Kerman and Tara Lind (2) scored for Rovers, while Linda Carnessali netted both of Perth’s goals.

There was a thrilling start to the ECU Joondalup v Northern Redbacks game with here goals in the opening six minutes. Kiana White scored for ECU on two minutes, Ella Robertson equalised on four then White added her second to put the Jacks back in front. Things then calmed down until early in the second half when Alani Selden and Sara Kifayatullah struck to give Redbacks a 3-2 lead. Back came ECU with Royan Norman making it 3-3, only for Ciara Buckingham and Haley Floyd to get on the scoresheet and give Redbacks a 5-3 win.

Results and table

Filed Under: Women's State League