Welcome to the Weekend-Wash up after Round 5 of the MyState Bank Women’s Super League. It was a weekend that delivered a major shock, in the form of the Clarence Zebras thrashing the previously high-flying Devonport Strikers, before Sunday’s action played out in a more expected manner, with the competition's top two sides, South Hobart and Launceston United registering victories over Kingborough and Taroona.
Five Star Zebras Sink Strikers
Saturday’s lone game provided a major shock as the Clarence Zebras smashed the Devonport Strikers 5-1 at Wentworth Park in a major boilover.
With Devonport heading into this match unbeaten and the Zebras coming off a defeat at the hands of the Lions, this will surely rank as one of the more surprising score lines we’ve seen in the Super League in quite some time, a testament to the performance of the Zebras.
It was a stunning response to a pretty flat display 7 days earlier from Chris Hey’s young side, and it was one of their star youngsters who led it. Last year’s Rising Star winner, Eliana Diafokeris fired in a hat-trick as the Zebras stormed back after falling behind early to an early Jazmin White goal.
As White drove inside and scored her seventh of the season midway through the first half, it seemed like business as usual before the Zebras turned the contest on its head with a blistering response.
Bronte Gadon stormed in behind the defence in the 34th minute and produced a composed finish before Diafokeris got her afternoon started with a silky first touch and finish from a long ball into the box on 42 minutes.
Diafokeris then turned provider for Eliza Wylie just two minutes later as again a high ball into the box confounded the Strikers and suddenly it was the Zebras 3-1 up at the break.
There was an element of fortune about Diafokeris’ second goal as Hayley Julian, who curiously didn’t start the match but was subbed on at halftime, blasted a clearance into the onrushing striker and the ball rebounded back into the net.
There was nothing fortunate about the hat-trick marker though as she simply outpaced her marker before picking out the bottom corner of the net to seal the 5-1 victory.
It completed a brilliant day for the Clarence Zebras and one that can really jump-start their season. For Devonport, it's only one game but this was miles off the level of performance we have come to expect from them and with Launceston United and South Hobart their next two WSL opponents, one they can't afford to repeat
Marten Runs Riot as United Thump Taroona
At Floorworld Park it was the Courtney Marten show, as United’s American import put Taroona to the sword by scoring five times in their 8-0 victory.
The fleet-footed American ran the Taroona defence ragged and chalked up her hat-trick inside the opening twenty minutes of the match as United had the game wrapped up early on with Dani Gunton joining Marten on the scoresheet to make it 4-0 after just 20 minutes.
Gunton bagged her second to make it 5-0 just prior to halftime before Marten continued to run riot by chiming in with another pair of goals in the second half. Substitute Bianca Anderson then rounded out the scoring as she fired home from close range in the dying moments of the match to see the game ending at 8-0.
It was a professional performance from United as they bounced back from a rare setback in the form of their loss to South Hobart last weekend that saw them cede top spot.
Taroona, unfortunately, continues to struggle, sitting winless and now with a goal difference of -31 after 5 games. Their cause hasn't been helped by injuries, so hopefully, they can get some personnel back and they can find some way to somehow turn things around when they return after the week off for the Statewide Cup.
South Account For Lions To Maintain Top Spot
Finally to Darcy Street where South Hobart maintained their grip on top spot on the ladder as they took care of business at home and defeated the Kingborough Lions 3-1.
It was a game that always felt within their keeping and that they were on track for maximum points in, but it took till later in the game for them to finally cement that.
The game's opening goal was a brilliant finish from Lucy Booth as she carried the ball into the right-hand side of the box before firing off a perfectly placed finessed shot that curled into the inside netting of the far post.
South's pressing game is a large reason for their success and it led to their second goal here as Eve Swain forced a turnover high up the pitch before cooly rounding the keeper and placing home to make it 2-0.
South continued to look the more likely side to score but the Lions found a way back into the game just prior to the hour mark when Laura Davis found the back of the net. Davis is starting to round back into her best form and we know what a difference-maker she can be at her best. This was a regulation finish for a player of her class, finishing off a nice move down the left-hand side from Danielle Kanegiesser.
At 2-1, the door was ajar for the Lions even if they weren't creating a lot, but Emily Flies slammed it shut in the 81st minute when she got the better of the Lions defence before slotting home a quality finish on her left foot.
It secured the victory for South Hobart that leaves them sitting in top spot at the end of Round 5, where they will sit for at least the next fortnight, with next weekend the Quarter Final stage of the Statewide Cup.
Round 5 Scores
Devonport Strikes 1 (J.White 24’)
Clarence Zebras 5 (B.Gadon 35’, E.Diafokeris 43’ 73’ 77’, E.Wylie 45+1’)
Launceston United 8 (C.Marten 11' 15' 20' 49' 77', D.Gunton 12' 45+2', B.Anderson 88')
Taroona 0
Highlights
South Hobart 3 (L.Booth 19', E.Swain 32', E.Flies 81')
Kingborough Lions 1 (L.Davis 58')