Caulfield United Cobras put a sizeable gap between themselves and the relegation battle – a possible moot point considering the WNPL situation – in the Women’s Premier League with a 4-0 win against South Yarra at Fawkner Park on Sunday.
The Cobras improved to nine points and negative 46 goal difference (10th) with the win to open the gap to relegation-zone occupant South Yarra (three, minus 54, 11th).
A Caulfield United brace either side of South Yarra’s best spell of the game put the Cobras in charge 2-0 at half time before a more one-sided second half.
Irena Malliaras was the game’s standout player and after a number of weaving runs and dangerous crosses was able to fashion the opening goal in the 27th minute.
Sweeping onto the ball after her initial corner was cleared, Malliaras’ second-time ball picked out Amy Kane who steered in her header for a 1-0 lead.
Going behind inspired South Yarra’s best football of the day.
Hannah Charman’s shot bound for the top corner was tipped away by Jaye Todd in the 30th minute.
Marcela Marques was then denied at close range by Todd as the South Yarra striker was first to fashion a shot out of a penalty-area scrap in the 33rd.
Caulfield United then ended the South Yarra revival with a goal via an attacking scrap of their own in the 37th minute.
Anita Les turned the ball in from close range after the South Yarra defence failed to deal with a Mallarias cross and left the ball loose in the six-yard box.
Danielle Jackson then drifted in a free kick to the top left in the 66th minute to put Caulfield United in total control and Malliaras rounded out her day with a goal after her hopeful high shot from distance in the 77th minute was dropped and knocked into the net by South Yarra goalkeeper Ashleigh Bellman.
South Yarra’s Hannah Charman left the game with a head gash as the game’s only injury, moments before Caulfield United’s third goal.
Caulfield United goalkeeper Jaye Todd played her first game in six weeks after recovering from two fractured fingers.
“Everyone’s really happy, the spirits are high and hopefully we can carry it on for the rest of the season,” Todd said.
“There were definitely pre-game nerves but it was positive, we went in knowing we had to win and we were confident in our own ability.”
Todd praised teammate Malliaras for providing the Cobras with a cutting edge in attack.
“It was awesome today, we don’t get that many (shots on goal in a game) very often so we were all on today. (Irena) had a stand-out performance.”
Caulfield United plays Bundoora United at Knox Regional Football Centre at 6pm this Sunday while South Yarra’s next fixture is Heidelberg at Olympic Village from 3pm on Saturday.
***
South Yarra 0 defeated by Caulfield United Cobras 4 (Kane 27′, Les 37′, Jackson 66′, Malliaras 77′) at Fawkner Park
South Yarra: 1. BELLMAN Ashleigh, 2. WALKINSHAW Hayley, 3. DASH Sarah, 4. TIGHE Samantha, 5. DORE Lindsay, 6. CHARMAN Hannah (15. HUGHES Lauren 60”), 7. MEALIN Eliza (12. WESTHAGEN Jennifer 74”), 8. JONA Madeline (13. LEDOUX Ashley 46”), 9. MARQUES Marcela, 10. FOSTER Katherine, 11. TEMPLETON Gretel (14. RIBAS Priscilla 60”).
Unused substitutes: 16. WHEATLEY-HARRIS Maddison
Cautions: None
Caulfield United Cobras: 32. TODD Jaye, 3. KANE Amy (12. GURR Bree 71”), 8. LES Anita, 14. JACKSON Danielle (25. LAVERDURE Luda 70”), 16. MALLIARAS Irena, 19. BINGHAM Ruby, 23. ARGYROPOULOS Victoria, 24. McDONALD Hollie, 34. WOODS Stephanie (28. HARACTSIS Zoe 63”), 35. SWINEY Shelby, 36. DURSTON-RYAN Ange (22. MAYSTON Cassandra 66”)
Unused substitutes: 1. SHORTER Jayde
Cautions: None
Image: Graeme Furlong