Both teams came into their match needing the three competition points, but it was Parkside who ended up with the 2-0 victory.

Both sides started the match without their full squad, with Parkside having 10 players and Rippers down to just seven.

With so many key players missing from either side, goals were going to be hard to come by, but Parkside coach Jason Howard knew his side had to use their numbers advantage at the Mount Isa soccer fields.

”I encouraged the girls to push the ball forward and to use the full width of the pitch, which would allow us to maximise the three extra players,” he said.

“With seven of our starters being under the age of 17, I thought we might have a speed advantage too.”

But Howard’s side’s inexperience showed in front of goal, with his team unable to find the net in the first half.

Two more players arrived at half-time for Parkside, which allowed Parkside to push even harder in search of that winner.

Rippers’ rock-solid defence finally showed cracks, with Simone Martin making a dashing run from fullback to score on her unfavoured left foot.

The goal spurred Parkside on to a second, with the experienced Kerrie Dempsey doubling the lead.

“Credit has to go to both teams for playing without a full side, especially Rippers who only had seven,” Howard said.

“I guess Rippers just ran out of legs and we capitalised to win a much deserved match.”

The win moves Parkside within two points of the second placed Isaroos, with four rounds remaining before finals.

In the day’s earlier match, Tigers kept their unbeaten regular season record intact, defeating the second placed Isaroos 2-0.

Goals from Lauren Jamieson and Zara Hartley secured the win and it now moves the Tigers eight points clear on top of the table.

International forfeited its match against Atlas due to players’ work commitments.

■TABLE:  Tigers — 28 points; Isaroos — 20 points; Parkside — 18 points; Atlas — 12 points; Rippers — 7 points; International — 0 points.