“The girls narrowly averted a disaster on Sunday, coming within two minutes of forfeiting their game against Majura, then eventually going on to record 1-0 victory at Wanniassa.

Already reduced to just eight starters due to late withdrawals, the girls managed to boost their numbers to ten with help from the SL1 women, but minutes before kick off there were only six players ready to play.

The late arrival of Amy Hayward allowed them to kick off with the minimum seven players required and Majura, naturally enough dominated the early exchanges.

Goulburn held firm as they awaited their reinforcements and after fifteen minutes, with ten players on the field they began to assert themselves in attack.

The Goulburn girls, playing their best football in weeks, utilised their flanks to good effect but the subsequent crosses were squandered due to a lack of finishing power.

At the other end of the field Majura were giving the Goulburn defence a testing workout which the backs were handling well.

Even so it still required some solid work from keeper Annaliese Babic to keep Majura off the scoreboard including the best opportunity of the half.

A Majura forward had collected the ball just six metres from goal and her shot seemed destined to hit the net. 

Somehow Babic deflected the ball onto the upright then gratefully accepted the rebound into her grasp.

At halftime the score was still nil all.

On resumption Majura took the initiative keeping Strikers pinned deep in their own territory for a good ten minutes.

Strikers defence was static and not shutting down the player in possession.

This gave them ample time to shoot but fortunately for Goulburn most shots were well wide and Babic was in fine form to deal with those on target.

Running uphill in the second half and a player down, Goulburn had been expected to struggle in the second half but they soon regained their composure and put Majura on the back foot.

Strikers were displaying good transition out of defence but the lack of a dedicated striker continued to frustrate the good lead up play with most attacks breaking down around the edge of the Majura penalty area.

It needed something special to break the deadlock and that came in the 55th minute when defender Milly Marmont gained possession twenty metres into her own half and set off on a driving solo run on the left flank.

Bursting through four attempted tackles she pushed into the Majura penalty area and fired an angled shot low past the keeper, the ball hitting the near upright and across the face of the open goal, where two unmarked Strikers forwards were waiting to tap into the net, the final honour going to Strikers number seven, Bree. 

The goal gave the Strikers the energy boost they needed and for the next ten minutes they had Majura going backwards but were unable to secure a second goal to kill off the contest.

As the Strikers began to run out of steam Majura fought back determinedly seeking an equaliser but despite finding a number of openings they were unable to find a way past Babic who was in inspired form, leading her team to a deserved victory.

Next Sunday both the Strikers SL1 and SL2 women teams are at home for only the second time this season.

As many supporters as possible are encouraged to make their way to Strikers Park where the Strikers are using the dual home games as an opportunity to support the “Step back, Think” campaign against social violence.

At the same time will be running a fundraising raffle in support of local girl Stephanie Kimber in her fight against a rare spinal tumour.

This is a great opportunity to support two great causes along with two great teams - kick off times are 11 am and 1pm. 

The women will be preceded by the Strikers Masters team at 9am.

The canteen on-site will be serving hot and cold food and drinks.

Everyone is welcome, make it a family day - Strikers are a Good Sports registered club and Strikers Park is an alcohol free zone.