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Melville City women’s soccer team enjoying the view from on top

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Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

MELVILLE City women’s team has moved to the top of Football West’s State League Premier ladder for the first time in its four-year history after defeating reigning Night Series Champions Queens Park 2-1 on Sunday.

The young Melville squad, who finished runner-up to Queens Park in the Night Series Final, showed their defensive prowess to deny the league’s top goal scorer Brooke Johnston any sniff at goal.

First half goals to Melville’s teenage sensations Lucy Jerram and Jamie Duncanson were enough to secure three points and send Melville to the top of a league they have only occupied for the past four years.

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Melville coach Gabrielle Walker-Ortega said she was very impressed with her side’s attacking display.

“I’m ecstatic with the way the girls played, I couldn’t be more proud of them,” she said.

“To sustain pressure is something we usually don’t do enough, but we did that perfectly today which won us the game.

“The backline and our goalkeeper is where our strength comes from, if your defence is strong then the rest of your team won’t be afraid to push up.”

Melville boasts one of the best goalkeepers in WA in Evie Gooch.

Supported at the back by Australian representatives Evie Marchetti and Laura Waltman, Queens Park had their work cut out from the first minute.

Melville snatched the opening goal in the fifth minute as Park goalkeeper Loren Mahoney failed to clear a pass back, leaving Jerram to score into an open net.

Melville secured their second on 25 minutes through Duncanson, who struck a stinging low drive inside the near post.

Queens Park came out firing after the break, but a resolute Melville defence kept Park at bay until Sadie Lawrence gave them some hope with a goal in the 64th minute.

Lawrence fired home from the edge of the box with Park’s strongest chance of the half.

Melville City women’s squad is still recruiting players. If you would like to join, contact the squad manager on 0403 461 454.