Report by Peter Simcox

NTC skipper Leticia McKenna, Curtin captain Natarsha Smith, right, and officials Jess Byrd (referee), Amit Hosany and Ali Ali before the start of the first Women's NPL clash. Photo by Peter Simcox

The opening game of the first NPLW WA season saw Football West Hyundai NTC score late to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Curtin University at Edinburgh Oval.
 
The hosts dominated the first half and were rewarded when Jess Darmago gave them the lead.

But NTC hit back just after half time with Isabella Wallhead on target. Tayna Campos regained the lead for Curtin, but a goal two minutes from time from Judy Connolly gave NTC a share of the spoils.
 
There was a big crowd on hand for the launch of the new competition. The home faithful would have been pleased the way their side started, and it wasn’t a surprise when they hit the front on 20 minutes. A ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the NTC defence and Darmago made them pay finishing from six meters.
 
But as the half went on the visitors started to get a foothold in the game and Curtin goalkeeper Stacey Cavill saved well to deny the lively Abbey Green. The speedy winger was in again moments later, but Cavill was out bravely to save.  
 
At the break NTC brought on Hana Lowry, and the Perth Glory midfielder made an immediate impact. From her deep corner on 49 minutes, Wallhead headed home at the back post to level.
 
But they were level for only 60 seconds, as Campos was given far too much space and her long-range shot beat Miranda Templeman to give the home side back the lead.
 
As the game advanced NTC started to get on top, but they found Curtin keeper Cavill in outstanding form, and she made a smart save to deny Green on the hour. Moments later Cavill was beaten, but Monique Prinsloo’s shot crashed off the crossbar.   
 
It looked like it wasn’t going to be the visitors' night after Cavill produced two great saves to thwart Lowry and Cameron Barreiro.
 
But with time running out they did find the equaliser. A surging run down the left by Taneesha Baker saw her get to the by-line and pick out Lowry, who intelligently fed Connolly who drove the ball home to earn her side a point.
 
Star player: Abbey Green (NTC)
 
Curtin University 2 (Jess Darmago 20, Tayna Campos 50)
Football West Hyundai NTC 2 (Isabella Wallhead 49, Judy Connolly 87)

Friday, July 3
Edinburgh Oval, Bentley
Kick-off: 8.30pm
Referee: Jessica Byrd
Assistant referees: Amit Hosany, Ali Ali
 
Curtin University: GK Stacey CAVILL, 8 Rebecca DUDEK, 9 Hannah TAYLOR (29 Katie McDERMOTT 24), 10 Tayna CAMPOS, 11 Nina BOORMAN, 12 Tatiana GONZALES, 13 Natarsha SMITH (c), 14 Penelope CLAYTON, 15 Jessica DARMAGO (2 Bea WARRILOW 76), 20 Emma YLIAS, 27 Alyssa VAN HEURCK (21 Jackie McLERNON 65)
Substitutes not used: RGK Morgan COX, 16 Taya COGHLAN
Yellow cards: Nil

Hyundai NTC: GK Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 3 Ruby WALSH, 4 Isabella WALLHEAD, 5 Cameron BARREIRO, 6 Tijan McKENNA, 10 Leticia McKENNA (c) (7 Taneesha BAKER 66), 11 Abbey GREEN,12 Judy CONNOLLY, 13 Grace MONTEIRO, 15 Monique PRINSLOO (2 Dylan DAVIDSON 81), 16 Daisy McALLISTER (8 Hana LOWRY 46)
Substitutes not used: 14 Jaspa CARGILL-FLETCHER, 9 Kate ARMSTRONG
Yellow cards: Lowry 85