Salisbury Inter have made a quick start out of the blocks in NPLW South Australia following a commanding 3-1 win over Adelaide University on Thursday night.
Inter’s high-profile Chilean international Cote Rojas struck in the second half to seal the win for Inter at Valo Football Centre, adding to first half goals from Khatima Sultani and Sophie Fleming.
While outplayed for large portions of the contest, University's perseverance was rewarded in injury time through consolation goal to Valeria Guajardo with the final passage of the game.
The result will see Inter spend the night top of the NPLW South Australia standings ahead of the completion of the opening round on Friday, with Adelaide Comets and Football SA NTC sharing the spoils 1-1 in the night's other game.
Feature image courtesy of Adam Butler/80kms
The hosting Inter dominated their opponents early as Emily Heazlewood drew a save in just the second minute with a firm strike.
Inter continued to pile on the pressure and had their reward on 17 minutes when Sultani was played in behind University’s line and, after her initial strike was saved, neatly tucked away the second chance from the deflection.
Further chances followed for the hosts as Rojas struck the frame with a deflected strike, before seeing a vicious volley tipped over just before the half-hour.
Sultani looked to add to her opener soon after, however, could only steer her strike straight at University goalkeeper Natalie Hayman.
University had a sprinkling of half-chances but didn’t truly threaten until the 42nd minute when Mia Lundquist’s first-time strike deflected just wide.
The momentum was firmly with the hosts though and they doubled their lead just before the break when Fleming converted at the back post from Sultani’s cross.
University showed a greater attacking threat in the second-half but remained susceptible at the back as Lundquist and Rojas exchanged efforts prior to the hour but neither could find the target.
But the Chilean continued to threaten – drawing a low save in the 65th minute – and ultimately would not be denied as she broke through soon after in style – burning her marker with seemingly nowhere to go on the byline before firing a firm finish in at the near post.
University missed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back shortly after when skipper Perrie Weeks dispossessed Chantelle Ryder on the edge of her own box only to then fire her one-on-one finish well wide.
Heazlewood missed a chance to open her tally when she headed over from a free-kick for Inter in the final quarter hour, while Alysia Panagakos sent a long-range effort just over the bar for the visitors shortly after.
Inter continued to threaten until the end as the wily Rojas drew another low stop in the 85th minute while captain Nicole Calder missed the chance to ice the win for her side when she fired wide in the 90th minute.
The let-offs proved just enough to spur University into finding consolation at the death as Weeks slipped a ball for Guajardo in the box to slot the visitors sole goal with the final kick of the game.
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