Words: Matt Dorman

Melissa Limov and Brittany Whitfield both plundered hattricks as Peninsula Power Women cruised to a 6-0 win over Souths United Women at Wakerley Park on Sunday.

Power parted ways with coach Allan Waller last week but took control early and never looked back as they emphatically ended a run of two straight defeats.

Limov began her haul with a chip from the edge of the area to put the visitors 1-0 ahead in the seventh minute, a lead Whitfield doubled just five minutes later by cutting in from the left and beating goalkeeper Megan Byriel.

It was 3-0 within half an hour courtesy of a Limov tap-in before the attacker completed her first-half hattrick and effectively sealed all three points with another close-range effort.

Limov’s star turn already looked like being too much for the hosts to overcome but a 4-0 advantage still couldn’t keep Whitfield from grabbing a share of the headlines.

The 21-year-old striker first added a fifth for Power in the 64th minute when she profited at the far post from Byriel’s fumble and moments later secured her own treble despite Byriel saving the intial attempt.

Whitfield had a chance at a fourth from the spot in stoppage time after a handball in the area by Chloe Tory, but sent the resultant penalty over the bar.

Speaking after the match, Souths coach Byron Hellmuth spoke of his disappointment.

“Definitely not our best game. It was a poor performance overall,” Hellmuth said.

Power interim coach Jamie Kirwan was pleased with how his team adjusted to Souths’ new surface.

“We controlled the ball very well, it was a bit different on a synthetic pitch. I think it took the girls a little while to get used to the different bounce and run of the ball,” Kirwan said.

Souths United FC Women 0
Peninsula Power FC Women 6 (Melissa LIMOV 7’, 26’, 36’ Brittany WHITFIELD 12’, 64’, 66’)