In a battle of the promoted sides, it was Caulfield United Cobras SC who secured their first points of the season with a 3-1 win, consigning South Yarra SC to a third straight Women’s Premier League defeat.
South Yarra began the game full of confidence and intent, not allowing Caulfield easy access out of their defensive half for the opening five minutes, until Amy Kane began her onslaught with an early chance into the side netting.
Kane was everywhere throughout the first half, but it was Louise McMullen who kicked things off for Caulfield 15 minutes in, just managing to loft her header over Sharon Walsh in goals.
South Yarra didn’t drop their heads however, and minutes later had a chance of their own that Stephanie Locandro did well to deal with.
It wasn’t long however before McMullen managed to link up with Kane, sending her on a chase almost directly in front of goal.
Kane managed to tap the ball at full stretch sliding along the ground, beating both the covering defender and keeper to send Caulfield two goals ahead just 19 minutes in.
Mid-way through the half, the burning feet of the Referee prompted a drinks break, and after a loud but brief display from the nearby RC Plane club, South Yarra resumed play.
The women in red continued their resilience, with Ashley Ledoux forcing a brave block from Caulfield’s Jamie Brown, but the Cobras were looking strong and continued to mount the pressure.
After Anita Les was up-ended a few yards outside the box, the resulting free-kick almost gave Kane her second, if not for some last ditch heroics from Yarra defender Madeline Jona, clearing right off the goal-line.
Marcela Marques forced a mistake from the Cobras defense, and pounced on the opportunity late in the opening half, leaping into space, stepping around Todd and slotting home against the run of play.
With still time to spare, Marques was doing her best to help spur on her team to mount a come back, but as the whistle blew signalling half-time the score remained 2–1.
The second half brought with it even less shade and escape from the heat, with South Yarra now kicking into the ever-present sun.
Kane, keen to continue her momentum from the first half, earned an early chance for Caulfield but her effort was seen wide by the diving Walsh.
The Caulfield forward continued to chase and close everything she could, and through hard work sent Les through on goal, who took a breath and fired away as low and hard at the corner as she could manage, which safely beat the keeper with a solid finish.
Caulfield had restored the two-goal lead early in the piece and with it Kane was brought off for a well earned early shower.
Her replacement Alex Vassilopoulos was keen to continue the energy up front, immediately delivering the Cobras a chance.
Marques continued to work hard for South Yarra, but going into the second drinks break, her efforts were continually broken up by the solid back line of Caulfield.
Play resumed, and with a new found wind and determination, South Yarra started to find their feet and earn far more time on the ball.
Marques was instrumental throughout the final 15 minutes, creating and distributing from the middle with chance after chance snuffed out by the Cobras centre-back’s.
As the rubber ate away at the soles of all competing, legs began to tire.
Yarra began earning multiple free-kick’s in great positions, Marques forcing a spill from Todd in goals, but again the Cobras dealt with the danger.
With 84 minutes played, Templeton broke through the back line of Caulfield, opening the angle up on Todd who managed a finger tip on the ball at full stretch, seeing it onto the upright mere inches from a certain goal.
The late surge by South Yarra was handled well by the Cobras defence, ensuring the lead remained at two goals as the final whistle brought relief to all who had battled through the heat.
Caulfield earning their first points of the season, while South Yarra had to settle for the positive signs they showed in the second half.
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Caulfield United Cobras SC 3 (McMullen 15’, Kane 18’, Les 54’) defeated South Yarra SC 1 (Marques 41’) at Knox Regional Football Centre [HT: 2-1]
Caulfield United Cobras: 32. Jaye Todd (GK), 10. Cassandra Siarabalos, 20. Stephanie Locandro, 15. Pulli Garlyawasam, 23. Victoria Argyropoulos, 4. Jamie Brown, 25. Lucrece Laverdure, 16. Irena Malliaras, 33. Louise McMullen, 8. Anita Les, 3. Amy Kane
Substitutes: 6. Edita Mackaj, 14. Dani Jackson, 9. Alex Vassilopoulos, 24. Hollie McDonald, 18. Grace Buchan
Yellow Card(s): Siarabalos
Red Card(s): Nil
South Yarra: 32. Sharon Walsh (GK), 13. Hayley Walkinshaw, 4. Sara Alberici, 26. Madeline Jona, 21. Samantha Tighe, 10. Katherine Foster, 2. Hannah Charman, 20. Priscilla Ribas, 9. Ashley Ledoux, 14. Marcela Marques, 16. Gretel Templeton
Substitutes: 7. Aoife Murphy, 12. Jennifer Westhagen, 17. Sarah Dash, 18. Eliza Mealin, 1. Ashleigh Bellman
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil