The Strikers fielded a younger and smaller-sized squad in the Football Federation Victoria’s women’s state league one north west clash on Sunday against the bigger-bodied Knights, but managed to have the first shot on goal. 

It took the Knights about 30 minutes to score their first, but then the floodgates opened.

Strikers’ player Maggie Hutchins received a yellow card following a push in the second half of the game.

While the Strikers’ injury woes continued with assistant coach and player Alyson Pym suffering a foot injury. 

She will have scans to confirm the extent of the injury, but is likely to spend time on the sidelines with teammate Lisa Dodds, who is out with a knee injury.

Player of the week went to Natalie Barbara. 

The match also marked Strikers’ Family and Friends Day, where the club gathered together to celebrate alumni, sponsors and volunteers.

The Strikers will now regroup as they enter the second half of the season still without a win.

They will come up against Lara United in a bottom of the table clash at home next weekend, after the teams drew in the opening round.

Meanwhile, the reserves team also lost to the Knights 0-4 to find itself eighth on the ladder at the midway point of the season.