Three goals from sharpshooter Rebecca Berry and two from Michelle Robinson helped ensure an convincing win for Colts, who made up some ground on league leaders Shepparton United, which had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Strathdale.

An impressive opening saw Colts score two girls in the opening six minutes through Robinson and Bethany McDonald.

Their remaining five goals all came in the second half.

Fourth-placed Strathdale would be well pleased with its effort to force a draw against the league leaders at McEwen Reserve.

Chelsea Georgiou put the home side ahead with a goal in the 50th minute, but the Blues were able to reply in the 80th minute through young gun Ellie Vlaeminck to end up sharing the points.

The Blues remain in fourth position, just two points shy of Shepparton South, which beat Moama-Echuca 8-0.

The league’s leading goal scorer Alicia Rowan was again in fine touch for South and scored five goals.

Her 50 goals for the season puts her nine ahead of Vlaeminck, with the Blues star’s team-mate Brigid McNamara third on 25.

A largely lop-sided round continued with Epsom’s 10-0 win against Swan Hill.

Caitlin Green scored a hat-trick, while Alicia Collins and Danielle Michielsen added two each.

Four players – Siobhan Thompson, Natalie Bernard, Riley Lythgo and Naomi Dawson -contributed two goals apiece in Spring Gully United’s 11-0 win against Golden City.

With just two points separating the two teams on the ladder, next week’s round 19 will be highlighted by a clash between second and third-placed Colts United and Shepparton South.