Sandringham SC have continued their climb up the ladder, rising to fourth place after a convincing 4-2 victory over Caulfield United Cobras at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Monday.
The night was off to a flying start as Westwood sunk a superbly placed cross less than five minutes into the game, and the pressure was maintained by Sandringham for some time to come.
As Caulfield continued to try to find their feet in the game, scrappy defending after a Sandringham corner saw Gibney extend the lead to two goals and the Cobras were well and truly on the back foot.
It wasn’t long before the net bulged once again, Tanti firing away at close range, forcing a block and a cruel deflection off the Caulfield defender.
Cobras goalkeeper, Shorter, was left stranded mid-air falling to her left watching the ball sail past to her right, the deflection diverting what would likely have been a clean grab.
The usual determination and fight from Caulfield began to show, Gurr was through on goal chasing down a high bouncing ball only to be beaten by mere inches by Sandy’s Philippe, who rose above the attacker to secure the incoming ball.
Unfortunately both players collided and the advancing Gurr took a nasty hit, her determination to win the ball ensuring there was no time to avoid any contact.
After just 20 minutes the evening was over for Bree Gurr, fortunately avoiding any serious injuries but certainly may be sore for some time.
Caulfield did well to regain some composure after an eventful opening quarter, and began to find space on the ball.
Before the end of the half Durston-Ryan had a great chance to peg one back only to find her first touch just not soft enough to reign in a through-ball that would have seen the winger one-on-one with Sandy’s keeper.
After the break both teams returned to the field refreshed, Caulfield playing as if the scores were still level, ensuring a great contest.
But just on the hour mark it was Gibney again for Sandringham, receiving the ball some yards out from goal, turning beautifully on it, allowing a few steps forward and applying a wonderful finish.
Caulfield were now trailing 4-0, but were still convinced opportunities were there to take, and rightfully so.
With a touch over 10 minutes remaining, an audacious attempt by the Cobras to get in behind the Sandy defence was as good as dealt with until the defender mis-judged the bounce by millimetres.
Laverdure wasted no time and pounced on the mistake, and smelling blood she looked up to see Philippe out of position and immediately fired away straight over the helpless keeper, almost skimming the underside of the crossbar for Caulfield’s first of the night.
Now the Cobras had a taste for it, they wanted more, and with renewed energy they began to find room to move the ball.
Durston-Ryan took a deep run down the left wing and sent in the perfect cross right to the feet of Kane, whose first touch set herself up wonderfully to place the ball with purpose into the net.
The score was now 4-2 after a quickfire two minutes from Caulfield, and with little time left the team looked to continue the momentum.
It was too little, too late, unfortunately for the visitors, as Sandringham held firm to claim a deserved victory over a Caulfield outfit continuing to show promise without the consistency.
Sandringham SC 4 (Westwood 5’, Gibney 14’ & 59’, Tanti 18’) defeated Caulfield United Cobras 2 (Laverdure 78’, Kane 80’) at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex [HT: 3-0]
Sandringham SC Squad: 1. Ingrid PHILIPPE (GK), 2. Lauren DIDUSZKO, 18. Sienna FOGARTY, 19. Annabelle GIBNEY, 28. Emily MORRIS-KRAUSE, 6. Stephanie PARTON, 8. Nicola WESTWOOD, 4. Emma ROBERS, 9. Emma RUNNALLS, 7. Kristie SHEARING, 10. Stephanie TANTI.
SUBS: 12. Eliza GLEADELL, 50. Lois GREENWOOD, 20. Hannah STUART, 21. Niki COOK.
Yellow Cards: DIDUSZKO 49’
Red Cards: NIL
Caulfield United Cobras Squad: 1. Jayde SHORTER (GK), 23. Victoria ARGYROPOULOS, 24. Hollie MCDONALD, 19.Ruby BINGHAM, 33 Louise MCMULLEN, 35. Shelby SWINEY, 8. Anita LES, 16. Irena MALLIARAS, 12. Bree GURR, 14. Dani JACKSON, 3. Amy KANE.
SUBS: 25. Luda LAVERDURE, 36. Ange DURSTON-RYAN, 34. Stephanie WOOD, 20. Stephanie LOCANDRO, 17. Zoe HARACTSIS.
Yellow Cards: JACKSON 9’
Red Cards: NIL