The South West Phoenix Firebirds were held to a 1-1 draw with second-placed Wanneroo on Sunday.
The draw suits the Firebirds more as they remain top of the table, ahead of Wanneroo by one point after nine rounds.
The Firebirds went into the match with key defender Asha McClurg under a cloud due to illness, but she took her place in the starting line-up.
Wanneroo were slightly undermanned for their part also, and, in very blustery conditions, went with the aid of a significant breeze in the first half.
The Firebirds settled well in the difficult conditions and took the lead inside twenty minutes when a quick attack started by Jen Hazledon ended with Eleanor Coventry firing past the Wanneroo keeper.
Wanneroo City hit back soon after.
Their pressure on the ball caused the Firebirds problems throughout.
Wanneroo capitalised when they were able to force a turnover and launch a quick attack, which ended with a fine long-range strike to equalise.
The remainder of the half was tough-going for the Firebirds, who were going into a strong breeze but were able to cause problems on the break for Wanneroo with the pace of Coventry, Skye Dalton, Courtney Butlion, and Lucy Scott.
The South West Phoenix Firebirds played out a 1-1 draw with second-placed Wanneroo. The Firebirds will face Curtin University this weekend.
The second half saw the Firebirds spend more time in the Wanneroo half, but much of the game was frenetic inactivity – both teams working very hard but lacking the polish to create clear cut chances.
Asha McClurg hit the crossbar from a free kick for the Firebirds, and Coventry had a late chance to grab a winner but couldn’t take advantage.
Overall, a draw was a fair result and one that suits Firebirds more as they retain top spot on the ladder.
With third place Subiaco losing, it looks to have turned into a two horse race for the title, with second place Wanneroo now six points clear of Subiaco.
The Firebirds are at home this Sunday to Curtin University as they look to retain top spot with another win.
Meanwhile, the South West Phoenix men’s side went down 2-0 to UWA-Nedlands FC in their State League Division clash.
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