Loiusa Bisby’s solitary strike was the difference in the clash of the United’s, with Bundoora holding on for a scrappy 1-0 victory over Ashburton at Hillsview Recrecreation Reserve.
The hosts Bundoora surged temporarily to the top of the ladder with the narrow victory, while Ashburton’s undefeated start to the season was left in tatters.
Despite both sides possessing a potent attacking arsenal, neither really seemed to click, with Bisby’s 44th minute strike one of a few highlights in an otherwise subdued contest.
Ashburton were close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute when Britt Thomas nicked the ball in a dangerous area and passed to Fede Frew – easily noticeable with a bandage around her face due to a nosebleed before the game – but her strike flew over the bar.
The visitors settled the quickest, often seeking out Georgia Cloepfil as their main attacking outlet, who was causing havoc on the right wing.
Unfortunately for Ashburton, their attacks mostly broke down at or before the final delivery.
With half-time approaching, Emma Checker went on an unchecked run from defence to the left wing, but her cross into the box was struck over the bar again by Frew.
Another central defender, Gulcan Koca, was allowed a similar run from the back, finding Rachel Alonso in attacking midfield, with a couple more passes between her and Elly Curo finding Bisby in the centre of the box for an easy finish.
Bundoora’s ability to finish a chance with their first meaningful effort on goal was the difference between the sides at the break, and it proved to be decisive as Ashburton weren’t able to sustain their pressure in the second half.
The hosts were close to extending their lead soon after the restart, as Bisby found Stacey Papadopolous on the edge of the box, who played in an overlapping Monique Ianella, but her delivery across the face of goal just eluded a sliding Curo.
Kotsikas then came close with a curling free-kick, while minutes later Clopfil found Spiranovic who was only able to muster a blocked effort on goal.
That was the striker’s last action before being substituted, while Cloepfil was forced off with a facial injury in the 80th minute.
With Bundoora easing to a bread-and-butter 1-0 victory, Papadopoulos had a few pops on goal towards the end of the contest that safely missed.
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Bundoora United (Bisby 44′) defeated Ashburton United 0 at Hillsview Recreational Centre
Bundoora United: 1. Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), 9. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, 13. Claudia Fruscalzo, 10. Gulcan Koca, 2. Monique Ianella, 7. Enza Barilla, 16. Louisa Bisby, 14. Rachel Alonso, 8. Elly Curo, 11. Jess Au (23. Jess Pitts 64′), 17. Stacey Papadopoulos
Unused Subs: 18. Hailie Mesin, 21. Claudia Dimasi, 22. Deanna Fruscalzo, 3. Emma Heckenberg
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Ashburton United: Melissa Maizels (GK), 2. Maria Patrikis, 15. Emma Checker, 14. Christine Pfeiffer, 3. Holly Richardson (26. Bridie Keane 85′), 7. Jessie Kotsikis, 11. Fede Frew, 20. Alyssia Glewonski (6. Rebecca Saber 85′), 4. Brittany Thomas, 21. Laura Spiranovic (16. Rachel Jarvis 75′), Georgia Cloepfil (10. Julia Skowronska 81′)
Unused Subs: 19. Alex Pocklington
Yellow Cards: Checker 39′
Red Cards: None
Photos: Ashburton United SC