Perth SC will be keen to strengthen their push for a top-four finish and keep their outside title chances alive when they kick off Round 13 in the NPLWA - Women’s competition tonight away to Curtin University.
The Azzurri will move to within a point of second-place Fremantle City and five off top spot if, as expected, they overcome Curtin at Edinburgh Oval.
A hat-trick from Jess Flannery set up Perth for an impressive 4-2 win over Hyundai NTC last week, and reminder of the firepower at their disposal.
It is hard to see how Curtin will contain them, having yet to register a point this season and with double-figure defeats in six of their matches including their last three.
On Saturday evening, Murdoch University Melville and Balcatta Etna are in action at Besteam Stadium.
This is a match Balcatta cannot afford to lose if they are to claw their way back into top-four contention, even given their game in hand.
Tim Cash’s side never recovered from conceding a second-minute own goal against leaders Perth RedStar last Sunday, going down 4-0 at Grindleford Reserve.
Murdoch, who put 10 past Curtin last week, beat Balcatta 3-2 when they met at Grindleford Reserve in Round Six.
The top two teams in the Women’s NPL are both in action on Sunday.
Top-of-the-table Perth RedStar will be favourites to win again when they host second-bottom Subiaco.
While not the all-conquering side that swept all before them last year, RedStar are finding their groove as they showed when dismissing Balcatta’s challenge last time out.
They are currently four points clear and another victory at RedStar Arena will put the pressure on Fremantle City to take maximum points when they face Hyundai NTC at E&D Litis Stadium at the same time.
Freo dug in to win at Subiaco last week and eight victories from their 12 games is a strong return for Faye Chambers’ side.
All games live and free on Streamer.
Round 13 fixtures
Friday
Curtin University v Perth SC (7.30pm)
Saturday
Murdoch University Melville v Balcatta Etna (5pm)
Sunday
Hyundai NTC v Fremantle City (3pm)
Perth RedStar v Subiaco (3pm)