Melville City women’s team in tight 3-2 win over Curtin Trinity Pirates

The opening 15 minutes were an even battle, with both teams having some attacking opportunities, but neither goalkeeper truly tested.

The arm wrestle between the midfields was always going to be tough, and this was evident early when Melville’s Mathilda Carmichael earned herself a green card for a questionable tackle at the 19-minute mark.

Pirates were unable to capitalise during their two minutes with an extra player; instead it was Melville’s Lizzie Stratton who put away the first goal of the game with a lovely deflection on the back post, following some flowing midfield work.

Not long after, Hope Jobe made a dashing lead out in the right midfield channel, collecting the ball and crossing into the circle to Kim Young, who then netted her first goal of the season.

Melville entered half-time with a 2-0 lead, despite Pirates having had 10 circle entries to Melville eight.

Melville picked up where it left off in the second half, a well executed penalty corner deflected in by Chloe Carter extending the lead to 3-0.

However, the goal seemed to kick Pirates into gear and they began to dominate possession and stepped up their physicality.

Curtin Trinity made Melville pay for a defensive lapse and shortly after executed a short corner of their own to bring the score back to 3-2 with 15 minutes to play.

To highlight the intensity of the battle, three yellow cards were given in the second half, two to Pirates and one to Melville.

Melville’s defence managed to withstand the Pirates attack, and then regain some composure to control the play for the last 5 minutes and come away with the win.

Notable mentions go to Melville striker Carter, who was the workhorse of the striking line, and also to midfielders Preah Hetherington and Jobe, who were both instrumental.