Subiaco AFC Women produced a spirited late comeback to edge Perth RedStar Women 3-2 in a thrilling Western Australia Women's League encounter on 16 August 2026. The result keeps Subiaco firmly in the title conversation and extends their unbeaten run at home, while Perth RedStar were left to rue a missed opportunity to solidify their position in the top half of the table.

Match Overview

Played under clear skies and in front of a lively crowd, the match lived up to its billing as one of the league's most anticipated fixtures of the round. Subiaco started brightly and controlled possession in the opening 20 minutes, but it was Perth RedStar who struck first against the run of play. A swift counter-attack carved open the Subiaco defence, and the visitors' striker finished calmly past the home goalkeeper to silence the home support.

Subiaco responded well and levelled before the break through a well-worked set piece. A corner was delivered to the near post, flicked on, and turned in from close range. The equaliser gave the home side renewed confidence, and they emerged after halftime with greater intensity.

Key Moments

• 12' – RedStar take the lead: A clinical breakaway catches Subiaco off guard, and the away side makes no mistake from inside the box.
• 39' – Subiaco equalise: A perfectly executed corner routine finishes with a simple finish at the back post.
• 58' – RedStar regain the lead: A speculative strike from distance takes a deflection and loops over the Subiaco keeper.
• 74' – Subiaco level again: A powerful run down the right wing ends with a low cross that is turned in under pressure.
• 86' – Winning goal: The home side presses high, wins the ball back in midfield, and a neat one-two sets up the match-winner.

Tactical Story

Subiaco’s ability to adapt after falling behind twice was the defining feature of the contest. Their midfield grew into the game as the minutes ticked on, with the wide players stretching RedStar’s defensive block and creating overloads in the final third. Perth RedStar, by contrast, were excellent in transition moments, particularly in the first half, but they struggled to sustain pressure once Subiaco increased the tempo after the interval.

The turning point came in the final 15 minutes, when Subiaco abandoned any caution and pushed both full-backs high. That commitment paid off with the winning goal, as a turnover in midfield was punished with a swift combination that split the RedStar back line.

Standout Players

For Subiaco, the match-winning contribution epitomised their never-say-die attitude, while the equaliser just before halftime proved crucial in shifting momentum. The home side’s goalkeeper also made two sharp saves in the second half that kept the scores level and set up the dramatic finale.

Perth RedStar will look back at their two-goal leads and the late defensive lapses, but their attacking play through the middle caused problems all day. The striker who opened the scoring was a constant threat on the counter and very nearly earned her side a point in stoppage time with a curling effort that drifted just wide.

Table and Season Impact

The 3-2 victory is a significant boost for Subiaco AFC Women, who continue to apply pressure on the teams above them in the Western Australia Women's League standings. Their resilience in this match shows they remain a genuine challenger in the race for the title, and the three points on home soil could prove pivotal in the final stretch of the season.

For Perth RedStar Women, the defeat is a frustrating setback. They showed enough quality to compete with the league's best but were left without points from a game that was there for the taking. With the season marching on, they will need to tighten up defensively in closing stages if they are to turn strong performances into consistent results.