Recap

The first game of round fifteen saw Carlton who sat in fifth who sat just three points above eighth placed rivals Preston. A win for Preston was crucial to remain in the top four hunt. It was Carlton who got off to the better start with Ella Bishop continuing her good form and opening the scoring. Bishop would soon double her tally and then complete her hat trick within the first five minutes to have Carlton in complete control. Two assists from Katie Forster had helped Bishop with her first two goals and Forster would then get herself on the scoresheet as Carlton went 4-0 ahead. Elly Torre added the fifth of the game as Carlton were right in control. Preston got themselves on the board when Pam Dimetriou struck and were a goal closer when she converted her second minutes later. Forster would grab her second of the contest to again extend the lead but Stacey Papadopoulos scored on the half time whistle to have Preston trailing 6-3 and right in the game.

The start of the second half saw Preston continue their good end to the second half as Dimetriou completed her hat trick. Preston were right in it when Papadopoulos cut a ball across which was turned in for an own goal to have Preston within a goal. Shortly after they were level when Stacey Papadopoulos finished a one on one chance to have the scores locked at 6-6 and what looked the comeback of the season. Carlton then lifted a bar and regained their lead when Rebecca Davies drilled one into the bottom corner before Davies hit a first time volley which rocketed off the crossbar and in to open up a two goal advantage. Dimetriou would add her fourth of the game to set up a grand stand finish but it wasn’t enough as Carlton avoided the embarrassment of dropping a five goal lead to seal the three points.

Player of the game – Rebecca Davies (FC Carlton)