It was a tough day at the office for an undermanned Clarence United team, as they were thumped 18-1 by the Hobart Zebras at KGV.
Facing the Women's Super League leaders without the bulk of their regular starters and with star goalkeeper Amelia Vanderniet among those missing, Clarence were simply outmatched across the park. The Zebras were led by five goals each to Allie Berry and Zoe Nichols, while a superb strike from Alice Herbert provided the lone highlight for the visitors. The result sees the Zebras remain level on points with the Olympia Warriors but sends them further ahead on goal difference with just two games remaining.
The hosts wasted no time in going about their work, as Taylor Rand opened the scoring inside the first minute. Nichols and Danielle Kannegiesser bagged their first each within half an hour, while Berry had an early brace as the Zebras raced to a commanding lead.
Clarence managed to strike back against the run of play shortly after, as a quick break down the left saw them make a rare foray forward. A switch across the field got the ball to Herbert, and with space to shoot on the right she blasted a rocket of a shot into the far top corner.
That joy was short-lived, though, as the Zebras continued to pile on the goals late in the half. Kannegiesser had her brace after a Nichols through ball set her up perfectly, while Berry added two more before the break with a long-range solo effort and a header from a pinpoint Georgia Burt cross. The Zebras went into half time with an 8-1 lead, and they showed no signs of taking their foot off the accelerator after the restart.
Berry looked certain to add to her tally as she again beat her marker in the area, but a clip from behind saw the referee award a Hobart penalty. Selina Steventon stepped up and confidently buried the spot kick, before Berry set up Lily Hulton for a simple header at the back post one minute later.
A period of greater resistance from Clarence followed, and that combined with some wayward finishing from the Zebras saw the scoring slow. They continued to press forward and fire shots in bulk, but added just two goals in 20 minutes of play from two more penalties. A foul on Nichols gave Steventon her second goal from the spot, while she earned her hat-trick after being shoved to the ground in the area and thumping her third penalty home.
The makeshift Clarence lineup showed signs of fatigue late, though, and their brave resistance faltered as the floodgates opened once again. The Zebras piled on six goals in the last 15 minutes, with Berry and Isabella Ferrier adding one apiece and four late goals to Nichols.
The final whistle couldn't come quickly enough for Clarence, and when it finally blew they would have likely already been looking ahead to next week's clash with Ulverstone and hoping for a full-strength lineup. The Zebras, meanwhile, have solidified their place at the top of the Women's Super League table and are in pole position heading into the season's final fortnight.