Round 13 of the Builders Club Women’s Division 1 saw wins for Albion Park and Woonona in the top of the table clashes, and Fernhill came out on top in the battle to avoid the basement. But it was the other result, with Balgownie Rangers recording their third win on the bounce, which may yet prove significant as the race for Finals berths hots up in the final weeks of the regular season.

Albion Park 5-1 University

Albion Park confirmed their quality in this repeat scoreline from the reverse fixture earlier in the season against second-placed University. The game started tightly, though, and was goalless more than half an hour. But then some familiar names got themselves on the scoresheet as Albion Park wore down the Uni women, with Rylee McGartland notching her 15th of the season, Casey-Leigh Suttle her 13th, Kristina Glisic a seventh goal of the campaign, and further strikes for Michelle Foscarini and Liandra Gaykamangu

Gaykamangu got a special mention from coach Richard Davis who named her his player of the match.

Uni coach Brod Crighton was not unhappy with his team’s performance, in spite of the result: “It was great to see our girls get back to working the ball through midfield and playing a passing game.” Uni’s scorer was Lisa Towson, with her first goal of the season.

The result leaves Albion Park 11 points clear at the top, with University now just two points ahead of Woonona in third.

Next up for Albion Park is a catch-up game on Friday evening against Thirroul before next Sunday’s State Cup Final, which is a repeat of last year’s Final against Northbridge.

The Unicorns go to Russell Vale next week looking for their first win since Round 10.

Balgownie 1-0 Russell Vale

Balgownie Rangers also managed a repeat result from the Round 5 reverse fixture, overcoming Russell Vale by a single goal.

The win is Balgownie’s third on the bounce, a run which puts them within striking distance of Kiama in fourth spot. And hat-trick heroine of the last two weeks, Eda Yakan, was once again the name on the scoresheet. The former Illawarra Stingray’s goals could prove vital as the season enters the final straight.

The game was goalless at half time, with both teams struggling in the difficult conditions, but Yakan’s strike with 25 minutes remaining proved to be the clincher. Asked about the prospect of a top four finish, Rangers coach Earle Canvin said: “We are just taking it one week at a time, and my main priority is to have 11 fit players each week.” (This was the second week in a row Balgownie had started with just 10 players on the field)

Woonona 1-0 Kiama Quarriers

The Sharks managed to overturn the Round 5 defeat at the hands of the Quarriers with this vital 1-0 win, which leaves a bit of daylight now between Woonona in third and their opponents in fourth.

The goal came early, Ainsley Hawes tucking the ball away for her fourth of the season in only the second minute. Woonona had chances to increase the lead and struck the woodwork in the second half, but Kiama also came close to snatching a point with a free kick late on in the match.

Quarriers coach Umberto Sorrentino commended his team for ‘banding together and staying positive, while we get through a difficult patch’. His goal is still to achieve a top four spot, so he’ll be looking for three points next weekend against bottom side Thirroul.

For Woonona coach Mick Sutton, “We had so many...opportunities that we should have put away so we most probably need to look at that final third a bit more.” But he remains pleased with his side’s focus and is looking forward to the Finals, which now look a near certainty.

Next week’s Round 14 sees the Sharks up against the in-form Balgownie Rangers, in what is probably the tie of the round.

Thirroul 1-3 Fernhill

Fernhill came out on top in this basement battle, which sees the Foxes now four points clear of Thirroul. The win means Josh Sebben’s outfit recorded its first double of the season, having beaten Thirroul also in the reverse fixture.

The Foxes’ goals came from Emilia Skopal, who also scored in the reverse tie, and a brace from Sarah Broadhead. Skopal’s goal came early in the game in a first half dominated by blustery conditions. Thirroul’s big chance came just before the break, but they were denied by Fernhill’s keeper Rebecca Manwarring and the woodwork.

With the wind behind them, the Foxes flew into a 3-0 lead, before Thirroul scored a consolation goal late on.

Fernhill coach Josh Sebben was proud of his team’s performance. “We’ve hit a good run of form into the tail end of the season in spite of injuries. Three Division 4 girls stepped up to play two matches for us today and two others played against medical advice. We’ll forfeit against Albion Park (Round 14) as we don’t have the numbers, but watch out anyone who has to play us in the last four games!”