It was a David v Goliath clash on Monday evening as WPL newcomers South Yarra hosted Ashburton United, but unlike in the religious parable, Goliath triumphed on this occasion by a resounding 10-0 scoreline.
The visitors’ dominance commenced right from kick off, as they showed South Yarra no mercy.
The home defence held strong for the first seven minutes, with a dangerous free kick from Holly Richardson beating everyone before bouncing wide.
However, South Yarra were soon carved open by a quality Ashburton side, spearheaded by former Victory striker Laura Spiranovic.
A sweeping move from United found Jesse Kostikas on the penalty spot, and she slotted home past Ashleigh Bellman in the Yarra goal, signalling the opening of the floodgates for the visitors.
In the 13th minute, Georgia Cloepfil pounced on a defensive error – the keeper and defender getting the ball mixed up – finish easily into an open to make it 2-0.
To compound the disappointing start for Yarra, English defender Nicola Bell went down injured after only 16 minutes, causing a lengthy break in play and forcing South into an early change.
The break in play did nothing to change the momentum of the game however, and with half an hour played, Melina Ayres got her first goal after firing a powerful low shot into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.
Ayres then doubled her tally with four minutes remaining in the half, by hitting an even more stunning strike.
Taking the ball from 30 yards, Ayres took a touch before firing a shot from 25 yards in off the crossbar, leaving Bellman with no chance to make a save.
The contest was quickly becoming a rout, as Ashburton continued to pile on the pressure.
Spiranovic got her first goal of the game three minutes later with a real poacher’s finish.
A South Yarra player did find the net, but unfortunately at the wrong end.
A stunning run and cross from the right wing by Cleopfil was unable to be cleared by Madeline Jona, who sliced the ball past the ‘keeper and into her own net.
6-0 was the score at half time, and as the second half began, the spectators barely had a chance to settle in their standing spots before it was seven.
Ayres wrapped up her hat-trick easily, pouncing on a loose ball after Bellman had saved well from Frew, tapping the ball in from 8 yards.
Cloepfil continued to tear up South Yarra’s defence and grabbed another assist when her pinpoint ball from a wide position found Spiranovic, who finished easily past Bellman.
One minute later, Spiranovic nearly got United’s second hat-trick of the game, but her long range shot was denied by the crossbar on this occasion.
Centre-back Christine Pfeiffer was next to find the net, finishing easily after South Yarra failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Federita Frew finally – and deservedly – got on the scoresheet as United made it double figures, taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce before calmly finishing past Bellman.
From that point the game lulled, with United seemingly content with the scoreline.
South Yarra created their best chance of the match, a counter attack that found Ashley Le Doux, but her shot flew over the bar from twenty yards.
The game ended in a resounding 10-0 scoreline to the visiting Ashburton, who will be expecting a much tougher match next week against Bundoora, whilst South Yarra will be hoping for a positive response against fellow newcomers Caulfield.
South Yarra 0 defeated by Ashburton United 10 (Kostikas 7’, Cloepfil 13’, Ayres 29’ 40’ 46’, Spiranovic 43’ 49’, Jona (OG) 45’, Pfeiffer 53’, Frew 66’) at the State Football Centre.
South Yarra XI: 1: Ashleigh BELLMAN (GK), 19: Nicola BELL, 21: Samantha TIGHE, 7: Kara ALBERICI, 26: Madeline JONA, 16: Gretel TEMPLETON, 2: Hannah CHARMAN, 9: Ashley LE DOUX, 12: Jennifer WESTHAGAN, 5: Eliza MEALIN, 14: Marcela MARQUES
Substitutes: 10: Katherine FOSTER, 12: Hayley WALKINSHAW, 20: Priscilla RIBAS
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None.
Ashburton United XI: 1: Melissa MAIZELS (GK), 2: Maria PATRIKIS, 15: Emma CHECKER, 5: Kristin STESHOLT, 3: Holly RICHARDSON, 14: Christine PFEIFFER, 18: Georgia CLOEPFIL, 7: Jesse KOSTIKAS, 21: Laura SPIRANOVIC, 11: Federica FREW, 9: Melina AYRES.
Substitutes: 26: Bridie KEAN, 5: Julia SKOWRONSKA, 4: Britanny THOMAS, 20: Alysia BLEWONSKI, 16: Rachel JARVIS 60
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.