The Strikers, which won the Football Federation Victoria women’s state league one crown last year, crushed the home side 5-1 on Sunday.

Hannah Kozaris opened the scoring in the 17th minute, taking advantage of an open net after Lulu Al-Huneidi beat the goal-keeper in an aerial battle and drifted her header into Kozaris' path.

Al-Huneidi then doubled the lead on the 30-minute mark when Kozaris played her though and she was able to use her superior pace to break free of the defence and beat the goal-keeper in a one-on-one battle.

In the 43rd minute, the Strikers were awarded a penalty. Tessa Curtain shot straight at the ’keeper and Lara launched a quick counter-attack that resulted in a goal at the other end.

The Strikers came out hungry to do better with their chances after the break and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Nat Barbara flicked an Al-Huneidi corner into the net.

Ten minutes later, Curtain headed home another Al-Huneidi corner to make the score 4-1.

It was then Al-Huneidi's turn to miss from the penalty spot with another shot that was easily saved.

But she redeemed herself minutes later with a run that beat the defenders before slotting home.

Ballarat assistant coach Laura Brady said while the win was not in doubt, the game could have been out of Lara’s reach far earlier.

Brady said the Strikers struggled to put the finishing touches on a number of opportunities and will need to show more composure against better opposition.

“However, the level of intensity, particularly in the press, was good and it was a cohesive team performance defensively,” she said.

Brady said while Al-Huneidi was involved in the goals, it was the drive from the central midfield pairing of Kozaris and Curtain that set up the win.

She said Barbara was excellent on the right hand side of midfield – both defensively and going forward – and praised Alyson Pym, who created space up front with penetrating runs.

Ballarat takes on South Melbourne this coming Sunday without coach Ricky Romein, who will miss the next few weeks after a knee replacement.