Launceston United make successful start to Women's Super League

With an unbeaten Championship-winning squad, a former European international calling the shots and a first-up thumping of last season's runners-up, expectation limitation may be the biggest challenge facing co-coaches Lynden Prince and Frank Compton.

"We wanted to be competitive, and expected we would be, but cannot quite believe it," Compton said.

"We've set ourselves a hefty standard and if we can continue to get close to this it's going to be a fun season."

On a sun-drenched day at Birch Avenue when even the officials were collapsing with exhaustion, United sparkled, racing into a two-goal lead, holding their nerve in the face of a fightback and then running riot late on.

Skipper Katie Hill and Nichola Clark provided a solid centre-back partnership which allowed new signing Madi Gilpin and last season's top scorer Jess Robinson to dictate proceedings.

After half an hour of sparring, Gonya Luate had the honour of scoring United's first statewide goal since 1998, firing home from the edge of the box to spark riotous celebrations among teammates and a healthy crowd at Birch Avenue.

Luate turned provider for Dani Gunton to add the second but when Zebras captain Madeline O'Brien pulled one back soon after the restart the points were far from safe.

However, Laura Dickinson rifled in the third, to the delight of her watching father, Ian, who was a part of United's previous statewide spell.

The goal of the game came with 20 minutes remaining, a stunning top-corner curler from half-time substitute Sofie Verhaegen who has won titles and played internationally in her native Belgium.

Fellow sub Annie Reitsema wrapped things up by winning and then calmly converting a stoppage-time penalty.