A Brittany Thomas double helped Ashburton United defeat Heidelberg United 2-0 at Ashburton Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
The attacker was given a rare start in midfield, and took her chance to shine well, slotting her first past Heidelberg ‘keeper Kelsey Quinn, and heading in her second just before the break.
It was a comfortable win in the end for Ashburton, who cruised to their fifth win of the season.
The beginning of the contest was closely fought, and Heidelberg tested the goal of Melissa Maizels with a strike by Elise Mamanu-Gray following a ball through from Christy Zwolski, but the effort was well saved by the Ashburton custodian.
Up until Thomas notched her first of the afternoon, neither side looked like scoring, as they both failed to keep possession of the ball when it got into the final third.
A burst out of defence from Checker delivered the first moment of quality for the contest, as the Young Matilda played Thomas in behind with a well-weighted through ball.
Thomas composed herself and slotted it into the bottom right corner.
Ashburton didn’t rest on their laurels and sought out another quick strike, but Melina Ayres couldn’t bury her chance from a cross inside the box, and the opportunity went begging.
As the half hour ticked by, Heidelberg were struggling for flow, and a speculative attempt from Verzi which Maizels saved turned out to be its last shot in anger for the half.
Laura Spiranovic almost got the second for the hosts, in the 35th minute, but she couldn’t make the most of the opportunity, which came about after a clearance had hit the forward in the back.
The game got its second moment of brilliance a minute later, when Checker made another marauding run forward, and sent in a sumptuous cross which was nodded into the back of the net with aplomb by Thomas, with Quinn left motionless.
Heidelberg regrouped at the break at came back out with renewed intent, and Aneta Komijat went close with a header three minutes into the second half.
Zwolski then had an opportunity of her own five minutes later, but Maizels only had a simple save to make.
But the action dried up as Ashburton looked to kill the contest.
The home side did have chances for a third just past the hour, when Spiranovic spurned a free header opportunity and Ayres had a shot saved.
It wasn’t proving to be Spiranovic’s day, and she thought her luck had turned when she tapped in after Checker’s flick on from a free kick, but the striker was adjudged to be offside.
Heidelberg strived hard to claw their way back into the contest, even throwing Laura Phillips up front.
But the visitors didn’t get a consolation, and Phillips’ effort in stoppage time only hit the side netting, much to their frustration.
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Ashburton United 2 (Thomas 21′, 36′) defeated Heidelberg United 0 at Ashburton Park [HT 2:0]
Ashburton United: 1. Melissa Maizels (GK), 2. Maria Patrikis (26. Bridie Kean 84′), 5. Kristin Stensholt, 15. Emma Checker, 3. Holly Richardson, 14. Christine Pfeiffer, 11. Fede Frew (16. Rachel Jarvis 87′), 4. Brittany Thomas (20. Alyssia Blewonski 79′), 9. Melina Ayres (19. Olivia Edwards 76′), 18. Georgia Cloepfil, 21. Laura Spiranovic (6. Rebecca Saber 86′)
Heidelberg United: 1. Kelsey Quinn (GK), 2. Demi Mihaloudis (16. Stephanie Galjar 36′), 4. Michelle Verzi, 6. Laura Phillips, 8. Emma Gunn (5. Elly Torre 61′), 10. Julia Nicolaci, 11. Aneta Komijat (9. Belinda Pannella 65′), 13. Adelyn Ayton (22. Ellie Gavalas 61′), 15. Lisa Fonua, 19. Christy Zwolski, 45. Elise Mamanu-Gray (7. Marguerite Eudes 70′)
Photo: Adrian Shaw