It was a nail-biting performance from South Coast Flame and Bankstown City FC as Flame managed to claim another 3 points in their stride. The 3 points earned on their home pitch has been Flames third consecutive win, allowing them to climb into 4^th place on the ladder.

Both teams came out firing on this chilly evening with a high intensity approach from the starting whistle.

In the first few minutes of the match, we saw both teams produce fast counter attacking moments and dangerous through balls that could have opened the score line for either team.

In the 4^th minute of the game Flame had their first convincing chance at goal. After a throw into Emily Kostovski feet, she managed to turn her defender and create space to drive down the line. She then delivered a ball square forcing the Bankstown keeper to push the ball out of the feet of Lisa Prior that was then quickly cleared by Bankstown defender, Kahtia Bedano.

In the following minutes Flame managed to create another opportunity to take the lead after a deflected square ball into the box from Cristina Barraza fell to the feet of Paula Mitchell. Mitchell took her chances although hit it just wide of the post.

Although Bankstown were also busy creating their own chances in the early minutes of the game. After they were awarded a freekick not short of halfway a scrambling ball landed at the feet of Bankstown’s top goal scorer, Aya Seino. Seino dribbled into the box and pulled off a quick shot that landed in the safe hands of Flame keeper, Ciara Wade.

Bankstown created another dangerous opportunity in the 18^th minute. The ball was darted into the feet of Seino on the edge of the box who laid it off for a first time shot for Natalie Moujalli, however, she failed to test the goalkeeper hitting it over the cross bar.

The crowd was left on the edge of their seat after a wicked free kick from Barraza 20 metres out. Her left foot curl forced the keeper to tip the ball at full stretch over the cross bar.

Kellie McIntyre then stepped up to take the corner and curled a beautiful ball into the 6-yard box for the head of Prior who sent a bullet into the back of the neat. The well-executed set piece took the home side into the lead in the 30^th minute.

Seino looked to even the score line after beating two defenders in the wide channel and driving with the ball into the box. She then laid a short ball off for Ena Harada in front of goal who was successfully tackled by Gemma Bishop in dangerous territory.

In the final minutes of the first half Flame looked to increase their lead after another set piece landed on the head of Prior, although Bankstown defence managed to clear it off the line this time.

Overall, it was an entertaining first half of football with both teams maintaining a high intensity approach.

The fog had layered the field as the Bankstown City and South Coast Flame side headed out for the second half.

The Flame side seemed shaky in the early minutes of the half struggling to maintain possession and keep the eager Bankstown side under wraps.

Bankstown attempted to even the score line in the first minute of the second half after a perfectly weighted through ball into the box put Chelsea Greguric on goal. She squared the ball past Wade, however, Bankstown’s attacking players couldn’t manage to put the ball away.

In following minute Bankstown again created another dangerous chance at goal after Seino carried the ball into the box and was brought down by Flame defence. Although the referee controversy didn’t blow his whistle and Flame managed clean up, clearing the ball.

In the 50^th minute Flame had their first real chance of the half after McIntyre regained possession in the midfield before playing a ball over the top of Bankstown’s back line. Kostovski running onto the ball at speed, however, it was comfortably scooped up by Bankstown keeper, Jasmin Lawler who was sitting off her line.

The very next play Harada played a direct ball splitting Flames centre backs and placing Seino in a one v one opportunity with the Flame keeper. However, Wade committed, smothering the ball at Seino’s feet and stopping Bankstown once again from evening the score line.

Bankstown City continued to create chances throughout the second half placing immense pressure on Flames defence.

However, flames tenacious defensive effort is what earned them the 3 points at the end of the game.

The Under 20 continued their good form with a comfortable 5-0 win.