Sandringham SC have made an early statement in the Women’s Premier League with a second successive victory to start the season, this time a 2-0 win over Heidelberg United at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Young gun Emma Robers was the star with a brace from a more advanced midfield role, as her side totally outplayed the visitors in the first 45 minutes.
A solitary goal was the reward for Sandringham’s incessant toiling in the first half as the term was dominated by an energetic midfield display and clever movement in the front third.
It came early in the piece as well as attacking midfielder Robers flexed her attacking flair with a 12th minute goal, firing low from the edge of the area.
If her team showed the same tenacity in front of goals as young Robers, their lead could’ve easily been four or five, but alas their finishing proved cause for concern.
While Sienna Fogarty tested Kelsey Quinn either side of Sandringham’s goal – her attempt on 23 minutes was a well held goal bound free-kick – it was Westwood who was the main offender in front of goals, as she failed to make the most of her bountiful chances.
Fresh off a hat-trick against Caulfield last round, Westwood found it much harder going this week, as she missed two golden chances within a minute.
A corner kick saw Quinn come to claim the delivery, but the ball fell from her usually trusty hands into the path of the forward, but Westwood scuffed her opportunity into the post.
The follow-up was more unforgivable as she got up and ghosted towards the near post, where she met a cross and skied her hit from two yards.
Sandy were almost made to rue their missed opportunities as Lucyna Kapusa was forced into a goalmouth clearance following a glancing back-pass header intended for Nikki Cook in goals.
The hosts continued on the hunt for a second but this time they were halted not by their inability to hit the target, but by the sheer brilliance of American stopper Quinn.
The Heidelberg number one and reigning Corner Flag goalkeeper of the year recipient was immense as she made a simply awe-inspiring double save.
She first denied Runnalls who struck a low shot from the angle, with the unlucky Westwood baring down on goal for the follow up.
But Quinn had other ideas as she in one motion rolled off the floor and parried the ball to safety with her torso to keep her side with a chance heading into half-time.
There was little she could do about their second as a wicked floating strike from Annabelle Gibney dipped onto the crossbar and straight into the path of Robers who gratefully took a gift for her brace.
Despite once again conceding an early goal, the Warriors looked a much improved side in the second half, as their girls finally started to find their passing range.
Their attack on the ball matched Sandringham’s but they were short of that killer ball into the area.
Substitutes Christina Mancuso and Belinda Panella provided plenty of drive with their introductions early in the second half and the left flank started to look a dangerous avenue on goal.
They combined a number of times in the early stages without testing the keeper, but ensured the Sandringham defence were on point.
As the half wore on, the Sandringham resistance waned, and Panella registered a shot on target at the near post, as she wriggled and weaved to find a yard of space.
She again found room in the box, this time taking the ball wide before striking low across the face, but Cook was once again up to the task, scampering low to keep her clean sheet in tact.
The Sandy keeper once again was called into action with a sublime diving save to deny Stef Galjar in the dying stages of the contest.
In the end, it was a superb hour of football that won Sandringham the contest, as Heidelberg left their resistance well too late.
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Sandringham 2 (Robers 12’ 52’) defeated Heidelberg United 0 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex [HT: 1-0]
Sandringham SC: 21. Nikki Cook (GK), 19. Annabelle Gibney, 4. Emma Robers, 6. Stephanie Parton, 8. Nicola Westwood (3. Lauren Diduszko 80’), 10. Steph Tanti, 11. Lucyna Kapusta, 13. Alina Kapusta (7. Kristie Shearing 65’), 18. Sienna Fogarty, 28. Emily Morris-Krause, 9. Emma Runnalls (12. Eliza Gleadall 80’)
Unused Substitute: 1. Ingrid Philippe
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Heidelberg United: 1. Kelsey Quinn (GK), 2. Demi Mihaloudis, 4. Michelle Verzi (c), 6. Laura Phillips, 7. Maggie Eudes (11. Aneta Komijat 75’), 10. Julia Nicolaci, 13. Adelyn Ayton, 15. Lisa Fonua, 16. Steph Galjar, 12. Bonnie Barnes (9. Belinda Panella 55’), 17. Natasha Lusi (24. Christina Mancuso 45’)
Unused Substitutes: 8. Emma Gunn, 22. Ellie Gavalas
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil