The South West Phoenix Firebirds moved top of the table for the first time this season with a 4-0 win against Curtin University on Saturday night.
The win, coupled with Queens Park's surprise loss, means the Firebirds now face a crucial double-header at second-placed Subiaco, with the two sides meeting in consecutive weeks in matches that will largely shape the destiny of the title.
The Firebirds went into the Saturday twilight fixture with their youngest line-up of the year, so far.
Three 14-year-olds featured in a line-up that included a total of nine schoolgirls but was well marshalled by the experienced and mature trio of captain Lucy Scott, Shauna Wetherell and Kashia King.
The Firebirds started well and looked likely to get on top in a match they were expected to win.
They got an early goal to calm the nerves when Scott fired home from close range following Katie McDermott's cross.
The Firebirds then started to dictate play and looked like they would add to their tally as they created chances, but it was Curtin who came closest when a long range strike came back off the crossbar just shy of the half hour mark.
Minutes later, the Firebirds produced a double blow within two minutes of each other.
The second goal of the evening was the pick of the goals for Firebirds, stringing together more than a dozen passes before Analeise Gibaut crossed for Scott to again score from close range.
Two minutes later, McDermott set up Angeline Wright to score her first goal at senior level with a composed finish after breaking free of the Curtin defence.
With a 3-0 half time lead, the Firebirds were in control but needed to avoid conceding a goal to let Curtin back in.
Curtin did apply some pressure but the Firebirds kept them at arms length before Wetherell rounded out the scoring midway through the half with a spectacular long range strike for the second week in a row.
Overall it was a pleasing night for the Firebirds who had a solid win with a very young team, which bodes well for the future.
The next two matches against second place Subiaco are huge tests, but for now the Firebirds - despite all their injury woes-have the upper hand in the title race with six matches remaining.
The Firebirds drew 2-2 with UWA City last week, after beating Wanneroo 3-2 and the Northern Redbacks.
In June, the side suffered a 0-2 loss to Joondalup and a 3-4 defeat to Queen's Park.
Earlier this season, the firebirds notched up wins over Bassendean (7-3), Fremantle City (5-1), Curtin University (4-1), UWA (6-0), Port Kennedy (2-0), and Wanneroo City (4-2).