By: Veronica GOTTARDO (Special Guest Writer)

CORIO Bay remains in the Top 3 of the GRFC Women’s Division 2 competition after last Saturday’s 8-0 win against the 6^th placed Surf Coast in Round 7 action at Evans Reserve in Norlane.

PHOTO: The Bell Park Women’s team are in joint top spot, only separated from the leaders Golden Plains by a slightly inferior goal difference (Photo courtesy of Bell Park SC’s official newsletter)

Although the game was dominated by Corio Bay, Surf Coast did put up a fight with a team consisting of their up and coming junior squad members, as a result of their more senior players moving on to their Division 1 side.

Surf Coast coach Cailin Mellberg praised his girls for their performance, in particular Frances Nininahazwe, who controlled the centre of the midfield with her precision and experience, being one of the few remaining senior players from previous years.

“The girls are definitely a developing team that have potential, especially with the majority of the girls being under the age of 17,” said Mellberg.

Although the more experienced Corio Bay outfit did have the obvious advantage - having just five new players join the side this season - their strong defensive line made it impossible for Surf Coast to pass. In particular Tara Woods, who played left defensive-midfield, played an exceptional game and is certainly an under-estimated player in the Women’s second tier competition.

The star of the show up front for the Cobras was the league’s joint leading sharpshooter Stephanie Taylor who found the back of the net on five occasions. Taylor, who has now scored 19 goals so far this season, was ably supported by the other goalscorers Linzi Fowlke (2) and Demee Cook.

In other games that took place on Saturday, league leaders Golden Plains took on 7^th placed Surfside Waves and ended annihilating the Ocean Grove side by a staggering 15-0 scoreline.

Five of those goals came from the boot of the joint highest goalscorer in the league, Zoe Inei. Lindsay Hope scored a hat-trick, Megan Keiser and Georgia O’Kane bagged doubles, while Stephanie Bruce also contributed to the rout with a single.

Finally, the last game on Saturday saw second placed Bell Park scheduled to host 5^th placed Barwon at the Bell Park Sports Centre. The game resulted in a forfeit and a 3-0 scoreline to the home side.

Drysdale SC had the bye.