Shellharbour JFC came from a goal down to defeat nearest rivals Woonona 4-1 on Sunday at Ocean Park.
Whilst Woonona enjoyed the better of the possession in the early stages, it was Shellharbour who were creating all the chances.
As early as the second minute, Shellharbour pounced on a turnover with Dajana Popovic laying off to Madelaine Costanzo, who used her pace to get a strong position; however, her effort from just outside the box was sliced wide.
Seconds later, Costanzo was through again, this time forcing a save from Anna Simon down to her right.
Only a few minutes later, Kari Gonzalez tried her luck when she volleyed a shot back at goal following a failed clearance off a corner. Simon was able to keep this one out as well.
Costanzo was an early threat, and Woonona was struggling to contain her. On 12 minutes, Costanzo created some space before thumping a shot against the crossbar.
The warning signs were there for Woonona, and it was important they arrested some of the early momentum.
It took 17 minutes for Woonona to create their first real chance. Jessica Beale threaded a neat ball through to Tess Stephens, whose shot from a tight angle was goal-bound and was well saved by Christina Werakso.
Against the grain of the game, Woonona hit the lead on 21 minutes when a well-struck free kick from Beale from just outside the box found the bottom corner.
Just ten minutes later, Shellharbour hit back. Costanzo broke down the left before cutting back to Samara Wehmeyer, who had some work to do. She faked a shot before creating a yard of space and calmly slotted the ball into the corner to level things up.
Just before the break, Shellharbour had back-to-back chances, with both Wehmeyer and Maggie Page guilty of missed opportunities.
Right on the stroke of half-time, a long ball over the top saw Wehmeyer get on the end of it before slotting past Simon to give Shellharbour the lead.
Just after half-time, Brittany Ring had a half-chance as she managed to hit the outside of the post from an acute angle.
Moments later, and at the other end, a cross from Kristy Rohrer was not dealt. Wehmeyer pulled it wide from close range.
Woonona had a great chance to level the game when Zoe Anderson headed wide from close range on 56 minutes.
Shellharbour extended their lead on 74 minutes with Costanzo netting from close range after a failed clearance off a corner.
Costanzo was a threat much of the game, and she had chances in both the 76th and 80th minutes with no result.
Costanzo (third time lucky) iced the game on 81 minutes after chipping Simon from distance with the ball trickling in off the post.
In the end, it was a deserved win for Shellharbour who have all put themselves in a very strong position now to win the League.
Shellharbour travel to Shoalhaven FC this weekend whilst Woonona will be looking to bounce back at the expense of Bulli.
Match Stats
Report by Bobby Mazevski
