Leichhardt Saints’ Grace Martin Trophy teams have both soared to the top of the table, while the first three Bill Brackenbury Cup sides all played in draws.

Read below for the full wrap-up of the weekend’s action.

Words by Liam Cook

Bill Brackenbury Cup

Strathfield FC 1-3 APIA Leichhardt JFC

A crucial victory has kept APIA Leichhardt JFC in contention for a top four finish come season’s end.

APIA’s Tyson Kaye executed one of the rare attacking opportunities for either side in what would be the only intentional first half score.

An own goal from Christian D’Angelo gifted APIA a vital 2-0 lead at the main interval.

Ross Trimboli made any chance of a comeback a difficult task when he ran home APIA’s third in the 67th minute.

Strathfield added a consolation goal through Nathan Guinan but were ultimately outplayed.

LFC Sports 3-3 Balmain DFC

LFC Sports displayed their best performance of the season in a draw against the third-placed Balmain.

A blistering start saw goals for LFC’s Abed Chandab and Paulo Schreiner within five minutes of the first whistle.

The hosts gradually let Balmain back into the game, no more so than with an own goal in the 21st minute.

Aaron Nordstrom then added Balmain’s equaliser, before Schreiner’s second gave LFC the edge at half time.

Both sides engaged in a tight second half tussle: the only goal coming from Alexander Barnstone’s boot for Balmain’s third.

Enfield Rovers 2-2 Hurlstone Park Wanderers

Ewen Park played host to a high-quality match between the best two sides in the Bill Brackenbury Cup.

Steven Georgiou scored the game’s first goal in the 30th minute after cutting from the left-hand side and placing the ball in the bottom left post of the diving keeper.

Equalising just prior to halftime, an Enfield cross by Ronald Almeida was finished off at the far post by Anthony Foti.

A costly Enfield mix-up with seconds remaining the in the first half paved the way for Hurlstone’s second through Vincent Gianni.

Another second half goal mouth scramble led to a shot coming off the post and landed straight to Adrian Livio who put the ball in the back of the net for a 2-2 scoreline.

Grace Martin Trophy

Balmain DFC B 0 -7 Leichhardt Saints A

Six separate goal scorers ran riot for Leichhardt Saints A in their defeat of Balmain B.

Sitting atop the ladder following the win, their dominance began through first half scores from Sienna Excell and Emily Farrington.

Leichhardt continued to excel themselves in the second half, running home goals for Ashley Maniakas, Sophie Lewis, Jodi Harris, Lucia Gonzalez, and Excell’s second.

Balmain DFC A 3-1 LFC Sports

Balmain A returned to the winners’ list with a strong victory over LFC Sports.

Holly Davine’s double gave Balmain the early momentum which they largely held onto for the entirety of the contest.

LFC’s Mildrey Rueda Suarez made things interesting when her goal brought the score to 2-1.

A late strike from Samara Puru Watt put to bed any chance of a grandstand finish for Balmain.

Strathfield FC 1-4 Hurlstone Park Wanderers

A Stephanie Kontakos hat-trick separated two strong Grace Martin Trophy teams.

Both sides started strong, Hurlstone Park  would go up early through Kontakos’ first before Strathfield equalised with an Isabella Azzopardi goal not long after.

Tied at one goal apiece on half time, Kontakos’ second half double, as well as a strike from Amelia Griffin gave Hurlstone the ultimate ascendancy.

Concord JSC 1- 4 Leichhardt Saints B

Having been beaten twice last season by Concord, Saints B were eager to prove themselves.

Concord made the bright start, scoring inside ten minutes when Mieka Figg made an incisive run down the right, dribbled along the goal line and passed to Chelsea Johnson who scored from close range.

The Saints regrouped and continued to create chances, eventually going up 2-1 just after the break thanks to goals from Natashja Eyles and Jasmine Sargeant.

A second from Sargeant and a goal for Zoe Lindhout saw off any Concord comeback.

Defensive efforts in the midfield from Lindout herself, as well as composure under pressure from centre back, Madeleine Murphy went a long way towards the Saints’ victory.

Marrickville Red Devils B 1-7 Cooks River Titans

Coming off their win from last week at Leichhardt Oval, Titans dominated early with several shots on goal in the first five minutes.

Belinda Seers scored ten minutes in, her first of four goals for the day.

Melissa Johnston, Alexandra Molnar, and Cindy Kok also contributed to the Titans’ scoreboard domination.

Some solid passing play from the Titans ensured a strong victory over Marrickville, who themselves showed some positive counter attacks which kept their opponents engaged throughout the game.

Marrickville Red Devils A 4-0 Russell Lea Women’s SC

Gaining confidence following their strong showing against front runners Leichardt Saints A the previous week, the Red Devils same out strongly with their characteristic possession game.

Stringing long series’ of passes together, they used the space to create many opportunities early in the first half.

Dominating midfield, Daniella Merenda eventually struck in the 24th minute from the edge of the box with a shot which the keeper couldn't reach. Besa Biba had a similar result just before half time.

Russell Lea reorganized and came out refreshed in the second half. However, Marrickville's teamwork across the park eventually won the day with a brace from Angelina Forstmann late in the second half.

Having won three of their last four starts, the next two rounds will be vital to see whether Red Devils can achieve their dream of a top six finish to the first phase of their first year in the Grace Martin Trophy.

Image credit: Photographed with Love