It was the response that Bundoora United needed: a 4-0 win over a valiant Caulfield Cobras unit at Knox Regional Football Centre on Sunday.
Goals by Claudia Dimasi, Rachel Alonso, Elly Curo and substitute Louisa Bisby saw United get back in the winners circle after a hectic schedule to remain second on the WPL ladder, while Caulfield too, remained six points clear of the bottom two.
The visitors started the game with purpose, but found itself up against a fighting Cobras outfit.
They had their first chance when Monique Iannella crossed in a lovely ball for Curo from the wing, but the striker couldn’t keep her header down.
Caulfield played on the counter and had chances of their own, most notably when Danielle Jackson saw her blasting shot collected by Bundoora goalkeeper Bethany Mason-Jones, and when Anita Les saw her curling free-kick dip over the bar.
The breakthrough came through Alonso, who showed plenty of pace to beat Cobras ‘keeper Hannah Woodward to the ball, snatching it out of her hands before rolling it into the goal.
United grew in confidence after the goal, and on the stroke of half-time doubled their lead, when a lovely move saw Dimasi volley in a low cross from Stacey Papadopoulos.
The second half was all Bundoora, but the Cobras had a golden chance to put themselves back in the game and take it to the visitors.
Jackson produced to a perfect through ball to the on-running Amy Kane, who found herself one-on-one with Mason-Jones.
But the striker blasted the ball way over the goals.
The miss seemed to kick United into action and in response, they killed off the contest soon after.
Curo collected the ball in the box, wheeled through a pair of defenders and drilled in a low ball past Woodward into the goals.
The returning Bisby then decided to get in on the act with the goal of the game; a 40-yard free-kick that went right over Woodward, leaving the custodian stranded.
Woodward was kept incredibly busy afterwards, first stopping another Bisby free-kick from the byline and then denying an Iannella drive during a goalmouth scramble.
She did have the crossbar to thank when Bisby again tried her luck from a third free-kick, that saw the ball crack against the top corner.
It proved to be final piece of action, as the Cobras regrouped and pushed in the final 15 minutes, but to no avail.
Bundoora now have time to breath before they hosts Heidelberg United next Saturday, as Caulfield travels to Box Hill United on Friday night.
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Caulfield United Cobras SC 0 defeated by Bundoora United 4 (Dimasi 30’, Alonso 45’, Curo 61’, Bisby 66’)
Caulfield United Cobras: 2. Hannah WOODWARD, 23. Victoria ARGYROPOULOS (17. Zoe HARACTSIS 86’), 24. Hollie MCDONALD, 19. Ruby BINGHAM, 22. Cassandra MAYSTON (36. Ange DURSTON-RYAN 46’), 35. Shelby SWINEY (33 Louise MCMULLEN 35’), 16. Irena MALLIARAS, 12. Bree GURR, 14. Dani JACKSON (34. Stephanie WOOD 67’), 3. Amy KANE, 8. Anita LES
Unused Substitute(s): 1. Jayde SHORTER
Bundoora United: 1. Bethany MASON-JONES (GK), 2. Monique IANNELLA, 10. Gulcan KOCA (22. Dearna FRUSCALZO 73’), 3. Emma HECKENBERG, 24. Mia KILLICK (16. Louisa BISBY 59’), 8. Ellvana CURO, 14. Rachel ALONSO, 21. Claudia DIMISI, (18. Hailee MESITI 77’), 15. Krystal MCKLUSKY, 9. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC (4. Giulia SEPE 68’), 11. Jessica AU (17. Stacey Papadopoulos 19’)