Ashburton United have continued on with their good run of results in the WPL, defeating Caulfield United Cobras 3-1 despite trailing 1-0 at half-time at Knox Regional Football Centre.
They trailed at the break to a Dani Jackson goal, before strikes from Laura Spiranovic and a double from Georgia Cloepfil scuppered any chance of a potential shock loss.
Caulfield were looking to redeem themselves after a forgetable 9-0 defeat to FC Bulleen Lions in Round 6, and after holding off some initial pressure from Ashburton, the Cobras did exactly that.
The green of Ashy managed to produce several penetrating attacks, notably down the right wing through Cloepfil, but were unable to turn opportunity into result.
After surviving the first twenty or so minutes, the Cobras began to find their feet and Anita Les came close to opening the scoring with a tight angled shot skimming away off the upright.
The next twenty minutes saw Ashburton line up successive chances in good positions but they couldn’t convert, even gaining a player advantage for some time while Caulfield’s Jackson sought treatment after an altercation with the artificial pitch.
The Cobras skipper did return, and just in time to break the deadlock, immediately having an effect upon returning to the field of play.
After a few attacks were broken up by the Ashburton defence, Jackson put the home side in front by lofting a shot from just inside the right corner of the 18-yard-box into the opposite edge of the net.
This lead to a far more confident Cobras outfit for the remainder of the half, and Jackson towered above the pack to connect with a corner, which only narrowly flew above the crossbar.
A hard fought and well-earned lead sent the home side into the rooms with a smile on their face.
Ashburton had other ideas.
Cloepfil lead the way just a few minutes into the second period, charging down the right wing only stopping on the goal-line to cut back to the arriving Spiranovic; a perfectly placed pass for the striker to tap into the open half of the net.
A few minutes later and Cloepfil was at it again, this time in front of goal running straight at Caulfield keeper Jayede Shorter who attempted to smother the ball.
Player of the match Cloepfil managed to take a touch around the goalkeeper and give Ashburton the lead not even ten minutes into the second half.
As the clocked ticked over the hour-mark, Cloepfil dealt what would be the final blow as Spiranovic turned provider to sent her through and with just enough time on the ball, Cloepfil fired away, curling around the left side of the Cobras goalkeeper.
Caulfield remained calm however, after suffering a three-goal, eleven minute onslaught, and after clawing their way back into the game the net bulged and the team erupted into celebration, but the linesman’s flag was raised.
The Cobras fought gallantly against a talented outfit in Ashburton, a classy 15 minutes baring enough fruit to see off an improved Caulfield side.
Photos: Adrian Shaw
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Caulfield United Cobras 1 (Jackson 39’) defeated by Ashburton United 3 (Spiranovic 49’, Cloepfil 52’, 60’) at Knox Regional Football Centre [HT: 1-0]
Caulfield United Cobras: 1. Jayede SHORTER (GK), 14. Danielle JACKSON, 8. Anita LES, 9. Alex VASSILOPOULOS, 22. Cassandra MAYSTON, 16. Irena MALLIARAS, 4. Jamie BROWN, 23. Victoria ARGYROPOULOS, 20. Stephanie LOCANDRO, 34. Stephanie WOOD, 33. Louise MCMULLEN
Substitutes: 3. Amy KANE, 25. Lucrece LAVERDURE, 18. Grace BUCHAN, 12. Bree GURR, 24. Hollie MCDONALD
Ashburton United: 1. Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 2. Maria PATRIKIS, 5. Kristin STENSHOLT, 14. Christine PFEIFFER, 3. Holly RICHARDSON, 7. Jesse KOTSIKAS, 11. Fede FREW, 20. Alyssia BLEWONSKI, 9. Melina AYRES, 21. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 18. Georgia CLOEPFIL.
Substitutes: 4. Brittany THOMAS, 26. Bridie KEAN, 16. Rachel JARVIS, 6. Rebecca Saber, 19. Olivia EDWARDS