Hoppers Crossing has dominated Football Federation Victoria’s Women’s State League 2 North-West competition, scoring 22 goals in just the first four rounds.  

But Strikers held the experienced side goalless in the first half and restricted Hoppers Crossing to its lowest score by full time, 2-0, at Grange Reserve on Sunday.

It comes as the Strikers lost two defenders by half time and went from a healthy four to only two on the bench. 

Strikers coach Adam Vranesic said right-back Margaret Hutchins is expected to miss at least a few weeks after injuring her knee within the first 15 minutes of the game.

Hutchins, who sustained suspected tissue damage, was carried off the ground and waited for an ambulance to arrive at half time. 

“She had been running to the ball and one of the (opposition) girls just came up from behind and gave her a really big knock, she landed awkwardly and injured her knee,” Vranesic said.

“I did question the referee and he said he gave out a formal warning and that was his decision. It was a rough tackle from behind and there is no way she could have got the ball, so I think there should have been a card.

“After that, the referee was letting a lot go, and that was both ways, so there could have been a lot more free kicks for both teams.”

Meanwhile, centre-back Jordyn Donald battled a corked thigh and did not take part in the second half.

Vranesic said he was proud of the players, especially considering the circumstances, to have matched the best team for the 90 minutes. 

“We challenged and it wasn’t just in patches, it was for the whole entire game we were right up there with them, so they definitely earned their win,” he said.

“The girls deserved to get something out of it because it was probably one of the most physical games they’ve ever played… it was pretty quick and rough at times.” 

Julia Budiongo-Batota and Mya Moran scored the home team’s two second-half goals, one a lucky shot and the second from a free kick. While the Strikers missed a penalty. 

But Vranesic believed a draw would have been the result that best represented the game with his players doing everything asked of them.

He said the Strikers had one of the strongest midfields in the competition, while Paige Daly played an impressive game as goal keeper.

“We communicated well and kept our shape and played exactly the way we wanted to,” he said.

“Every single girl put her body on the line and challenged every single ball and they were first to the ball.”