A blistering 12-minute spell of football allowed South Melbourne safe passageway to a well-earned three points, as they triumphed over Sandringham 3-1 at Lakeside Stadium.
Goals to Brittany Dudley-Smith, Jamie Pollock and Lisa Farquhar essentially put the game to bed in the first half despite a late consolation goal to Annabelle Gibney.
Dudley-Smith was on fire early, blazing down the right within the opening 10 minutes, only to put a tame shot into the arms of Ingrid Phillipe.
The crowd roared as one in anticipation as their star striker once again broke free on the right after 21 minutes.
The Kiwi never looked in doubt of missing, taking the ball in her stride before sliding a low shot past Phillipe, across the face of goals for the opener.
The goal sparked Sandringham into action as they looked to retaliate with a swift goal of their own; Gibney connected well with a cross from the right but was stopped by Frances Land whose expert positioning worked in her favour.
If that goal had gone in, the game may have taken a completely different direction.
Instead, South Melbourne ventured into their attacking half straight after the missed chance and struck a second in emphatic fashion.
American import Jamie Pollock introduced herself to the league with a sublime effort from 25-yards, which nearly split the net; such was the power on the strike.
Sandringham enjoyed a few forays forward but couldn’t carve out any clear-cut opportunities.
South were proving purposeful with their chances and were rewarded with a third through fullback Farquhar.
The mid-season signing collected the ball on her left wing, composing herself for a shot just inside the area and finding the bottom right corner, despite a touch from Phillipe.
Nikki Cook – who’s been on fire in the reserves – was offered a starting berth up top and managed to break the lines following a ball from Gibney, but failed to adequately test Frances Land.
Land was up to the task again straight after, clawing away a stunning 30-yard free-kick from Sandringham’s Sienna Fogarty.
Her telling fingertip managed to tip the well hit ball onto the upright, which came off the crossbar and eventually cleared out of play.
Gibney had one final chance in an action packed first term, executing a chip from inside the area that just failed to dip in time.
The second half saw a drop in tempo and less chances falling either side.
Carol Howes bombed forward on the hour mark to supply substitute Rhea Schreuder with a one-on-one opportunity with Phillipe, but her early shot lacked the power to beat the stopper.
The visitors pulled one back against the run of play in the 72nd minute through Gibney, who had a good ball from Steph Tanti to thank for the opportunity.
Aside from a few half chances in the final stages, it was a largely down tempo second half, which allowed South to run away 3-1 winners.
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South Melbourne WFC 3 (Dudley-Smith 21’, Pollock 27’, Farquhar 33’) defeated Sandringham SC 1 (Gibney 71’) at Lakeside Stadium [HT: 3-0]
South Melbourne Women: 1. Frances LAND, 2. Brittany DUDLEY-SMITH, 3. Jade FEAKES,6. Alex CHEAL, 31. Jasmine AREZOLLA (8. Kate GOFF 72’), 8. Carol HOWES, 10. Tiffany ELIADIS, 11. Sara ALBERICI, 12. Jamie POLLOCK, 16. Lisa FARQUHAR, 18. Caitlin GREISER (7. Rhea SCHREUDER)
Unused Substitute(s): 19. Casey AARONS, 37. Coco MAJSTOROVIC
Yellow Card(s): Tanti 57’
Red Card(s): Nil
Sandringham SC: 1. Ingrid PHILLIPE, 29. Irena TASESKI (20. Hannah STUART 46’), 4. Emma ROBERS, 6. Steph PARTON, 7. Kirsty SHEARING, 8. Nicola WESTWOOD, 9. Emma RUNNALLS, 21. Niki Cook (12. Eliza Gleadell 46’), 10. Steph TANTI, 18. Sienna FOGARTY, 19. Annabelle GIBNEY
Unused Substitute(s): 16. Elisabeth ROBERS, 3. Lily O’Brien
Yellow Card(s): Tanti 83’
Red Card(s): Nil