Devonport’s perfect McDonald's Women's Super League season continued with a 5-0 win over their closest rivals South Hobart.
A 10th-straight victory means Strikers remain on course for a third consecutive unbeaten campaign and the tantalising prospect of back-to-back-to-back doubles.
The momentum of Sunday’s summit meeting was dictated by a 70-second spell just before half-time when keeper Michaela Mitchell’s splendid double save from Sam Watkins’ penalty was swiftly followed by Grace Sims’ opening goal.
Tom Ballantyne’s team cashed in after the break courtesy of a double from reigning WSL best and fairest Asuka Doi plus two stunning long-rangers from Lucy Foote and Madeline Payne.
Glenorchy climbed to second place with a comfortable 4-0 defeat of Statewide Cup finalists Launceston United in which Eianna Diafokeris, Jemima Brown, Eve Swan and Charlotte Butler were on target.
Launceston City left it late to leapfrog Taroona with an entertaining 2-1 triumph.
A ninth goal of the season from striker Hollie Jones was equalised by a magnificent long-range goal of the season contender as Olivia Bekeleski bagged her fourth in five games.
The contest looked to be heading for a draw until stoppage time when City’s US import Mia Judd cemented her move from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with an opportunistic strike from midfield.
In McDonald's NPL Tasmania, a late equaliser from Mathew Brkic saw Glenorchy grab a point in a 1-1 draw with Riverside.
Matias Rodriguez pounced to give Olympic a first-half lead and the visitors looked to be heading for their second win over Knights this season, but James Sherman’s men dug deep and reaped their reward three minutes from time.
South Hobart’s title defence rumbled on with a 10th win from 11 games, 3-1 at Clarence.
Rex Maddock’s opener and Nick Morton’s 18th goal of the season put Peter Edwards’ side on course and sub Xavier Williams wrapped up the points after Sam Tooze had replied for Zebras.
Kingborough went on a first-half goal spree at South East United en route to a 9-0 win.
Seven goals in 24 minutes included four in eight for Joel Badger who progressed to 16 for the season and then turned provider for Rowan Pitt with Noah Mies and Solomon Tebeje also finding the net.
Mies added his second on the hour before sub Tristen Galt wrapped up an 11th-straight victory for Jon Fenech’s newly-crowned Lakoseljac Cup champions.
Three quickfire goals midway through the second half saw Launceston City to a 3-1 win at bottom side Ulverstone.
Maxx Rawlings, Will Humphrey and Ben Berlese struck in rapid succession before Bailey Dickson’s stoppage-time consolation for the home side.
Heavy rain across the North led to the postponement of Riverside versus Kingborough in the WSL and Launceston United against Devonport in NPL Tasmania.*
*These games will be rescheduled this coming week