Match report proudly brought to you by Jellis Craig
Five goals in three matches. Isobel Berks is making VPL Women look very, very comfortable.
The English winger struck twice in the second half to seal a 3-1 win over Bayside Argonauts at The Web, extending the Redbacks’ unbeaten start to the season and confirming what the opening two rounds had already suggested: this squad is the real thing.
It did not all go smoothly. Claudia Dimasi, captain and increasingly reliable goalscorer, opened the scoring on 18 minutes with her second of the campaign. The Redbacks had the better of the early exchanges and deserved the lead. But Bayside, winless and searching for something to cling to, found it before the break. Delaney Kenney equalised on 42 minutes to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Whatever Jonathan Barrientos said at the interval worked. Berks restored the lead seven minutes into the second half, finishing on 52 minutes with the directness that has become her trademark. The ex-Sunshine Coast Wanderers winger is unplayable when she gets the ball on the right and drives at defenders, and Bayside had no answer.
She was not done. On 72 minutes, Berks struck again to make it 3-1 and put the result beyond doubt. Five goals in three matches. She is the form player in VPL Women right now, and there is no sign of it slowing down.
Kristina Dimitrovski’s introduction on 64 minutes added fresh energy, and Hailee Mesiti replaced Aimie Adcock five minutes later as the Redbacks managed the game out professionally. Paige Foa and Ally Giovino continued to build their understanding in the attacking third, and Tiana Orfanidis was composed behind a defence that has now conceded just three goals in three matches.
Seven points from nine. Second in the table on goal difference, third on the ladder. Unbeaten. For a squad in its first VPLW season, this is exactly where you want to be.
Up the ‘Backs.