Welcome to the Weekend Washup as we take a look back on Round 14 action in the MyState Bank Women’s Super League. With the top two sides out of action we had just the two games for the weekend with two decisive winners emerging. The Devonport Strikers kept themselves firmly in the mix for a top 2 finish as they comfortably beat the Clarence Zebras, whilst the Kingborough Lions proved far too strong for Taroona.
Strikers Inflict Payne on Zebras
The Devonport Strikers produced a fantastic road performance to comprehensively beat the Clarence Zebras 4-1 in the battle of third v fourth. Maddy Payne scored a brace whilst Jazmin White and Georgia King also chimed in with goals as the Strikers produced their finest display of the season.
I was expecting a closely fought low scoring game at Wentworth Park between these two sides, but ultimately we got neither. The Strikers produced a scintillating performance to down the Zebras and put themselves in the box seat to leap past the Zebras on the table by seasons end. They now sit 2 points behind them but have a game in hand that will allow them to move up into third should they take full advantage of it.
Georgia King gave the Strikers the lead on 16 minutes when her long-range free kick seemed to catch out Zebras keeper Kacee Ponting and wind up in the back of the net. It was a tough first half in the net for the usually reliable Zebras #1, as Jazmin White also snuck one in at the near post 15 minutes later that probably should’ve been kept out to double the visitors lead. On balance of play it was a deserved Strikers lead, they certainly looked the more impressive outfit in possession and were creating more chances.
The Zebras managed to pull one back just before half time to give themselves a spark as Louisa Marmion bobbed up at a corner with a powerful headed effort to cut the lead to 2-1.
But any hope of a fightback was quickly snuffed out by the Strikers who have shown a knack for strong starts to second halves this season and they came firing out of the sheds once more here.
First Maddy Payne scored the goal of the day with a superb strike from outside the area that picked out the top corner to perfection. Her second followed soon after as she ran onto a through ball, stormed into the box and made it 4-1 with a clinical finish. It put the game beyond doubt and with the Strikers firmly in control a Zebras rally never looked likely.
The Striker’s win was notable for being their first major scalp of the season after coming close on numerous occasions. In the first half of the season they lost all 3 games they played against the competition’s top 3 sides, albeit by just the solitary goal on each occasion. The next time around they’ve now drawn with South Hobart and Launceston United and claimed this win, the biggest any top four side has had over another all season. It shows the progress they are making and the strides that they’ve already taken this year. Those early losses left them too far behind to push for the title this season but a potential second place finish is on the cards now and if they keep this group together, there is no doubt they will be a serious title contender in 2023.
Davis Return Lifts Lions
The Kingborough Lions claimed their third win of the season and moved a game clear of Taroona on the table with a comfortable 5-0 win at Kelvedon Park. In the first meeting between the sides for the season, the Lions were far too strong and had too much firepower for the Pirates to contain.
It’s a real shame we haven’t seen Laura Davis playing week in week out this year because she might just be the best player in the competition when she is fully fit and firing. The difference she makes to the Lions attack is certainly noticeable and she ran riot against the Pirates in this one, wasting no time in leaving her mark.
Davis scored the opening goal 10 minutes in with a thumping hit on her non-preferred left despite being under pressure from the defence before she turned provider on her side’s second goal.
Having got in behind the defence again and through on goal on the angle, she patiently waited, opting not to shoot before cutting back a perfect pass for Amy Ollington to dispatch for the Lions second.
Bronte Gadon further extended the Lions advantage heading into half time with a thumping hit from distance that flew top corner and gave Kingborough a well-earned 3-0 lead at the break.
A misplaced goal kick gifted Davis her second for the afternoon in the second half as she forced the turnover and made the Pirates pay the full price by firing home.
Gadon then finished things up with another wonderful goal of her own, stealing the ball in midfield before carrying it to the top of the penalty area and unleashing a thumping drive that picked out the top corner. They were two pretty spectacular goals from the talented youngster and saw the Lions running out 5-0 victors.
With a pair of games against Taroona and another against the Warriors still to come, the Lions will be looking to really beef up that points tally in the final couple of months of the season and create further separation from the foot of the table.