Southern United have turned their more promising recent performances into a first win of the season, defeating Alamein FC 2-1.
The result was a blow to Alamein, who see both Bulleen Lions and Calder United build their leads at the top of the table after wins against Heidelberg United and Bayside United respectively, while Galaxy United had to settle for a scoreless draw against the plucky Box Hill United.
With Melissa Maizels unavailable and Laura Croft taking her place between the sticks, it mattered little in the 21st minute as Melina Ayres extended her lead at the top of the Golden Boot race with her 12th goal of the season, rounding Freya Crocker in the Southern goals.
That’s as good as it got as for the Larissa Crummer-led hosts as Southern scored twice in the second half to claim a long-awaited three points.
The first came in the 55th minute from a free kick situation when Tiff Eliadis flicked on for Saphri Lines to add her fifth strike of the season.
The winner came via Brittany Dudley-Smith, whose inclusion back in the side has been a real catalyst for their recent results, and she scored her first goal for the club to send the side into raptures.
The contest was also overshadowed by what looked like a serious injury to Holly Richardson.
Bulleen meanwhile maintained their six point lead at the top with a professional 2-0 win over Heidelberg United.
Two goals early did the trick, with Tessa Sernio slotting home the first in the 10th minute, while Lia Privitelli doubled the lead in the 24th minute.
There’d be no way back from there for Heidelberg, who were thwarted time and again by the visitors’ defensive line.
In less promising news for Bulleen, their squad depth will be tested further as TCF understands Taryne Boudreau has departed back to Canada.
Calder United kept their first clean sheet since Round 7 with a 2-0 win over Bayside United.
Rachel Alonso roared back with her first goals since Round 8, taking her overall tally to 11 and just one behind Ayres.
Her brace either side of half time proved enough for the hosts to grab the three points.
Calder now have the opportunity to peg the deficit back to three on the ladder with a mid-week clash against the Senior NTC.
Galaxy missed the opportunity to keep the pressure on Calder after they were held to a scoreless draw by Box Hill United.
Bobby McGuiness’s side’s ascendancy continues as they move above Heidelberg on the ladder into fifth spot, only three behind fourth-placed Alamein.
Both keepers had the better of it, with Emily Shields in particular called into action in the first half, while Kelsey Quinn kept her third consecutive clean sheet.
Image: Southern United