Seventh heaven for league’s top striker | photos
KARATE STYLE: Warrnambool Rangers captain Shkara Rantall in action during their 9-1 drubbing of Ballarat Eureka Strikers on Sunday. Picture: Michael Chambers
ON THE ATTACK: Warrnambool Rangers' Fiona Jackson dangerous in the goal area. Picture: Michael Chambers
HOSTILE TERRITORY: Ballarat Eureka Strikers' Eliza Clayworth moves the ball onward against Warrnambool Rangers at Jones Oval. Picture: Michael Chambers
CLOSE CALL: Warrnambool Rangers' Shkara Rantall attempts to halt the ball going out of bounds. Picture: Michael Chambers
STRIKE A POSE: Warrnambool Rangers' Shkara Rantall trappiing the ball. Picture: Michael Chambers
BUSY: Warrnambool Rangers' Isabel Wilkinson clashes with Ballarat Eureka Strikers' Eliza Clayworth. Wilkinson kicked seven goals. Picture: Michael Chambers
SKIPPER: Warrnambool Rangers' Shkara Rantall in action against Ballarat Eureka Strikers. Picture: Michael Chambers
LOOKING FOR AN OPTION: Warnambool Rangers' Chloe Paredes moves the ball out of harm's way. Picture: Michael Chambers
TOUGH BATTLE: Ballarat Eureka Strikers' Grace Tohey defends against Warrnambool Rangers' Fiona Jackson. Picture: Michael Chambers
DEFENCE: Ballarat Eureka Strikers' goalie Chloe Stevens kicks out against Warrnambool Rangers. Picture: Michael Chambers
ISABEL Wilkinson’s return to the Ballarat District Soccer Association came at the perfect time for Warrnambool Rangers.
The teenage striker, who spent two years at state league club Lara United, kicked seven goals in the Rangers’ 9-1 rout of Ballarat Eureka Strikers on Sunday.
The haul took the league-leading goal-kicker’s season tally to 34 from 15 games.
Warrnambool captain Shkara Rantall said Wilkinson had boosted the Rangers’ scoring power.
“Her season’s been aweome, she’s really stepped it up,” she said.
“She’s had good experience in a higher league. You couldn’t ask much more from her.
“We are able to have people in their actual positions. The last two years we haven’t really had a striker so we’d take people out of the midfield, so it’s been good to have someone who actually plays the position and is really good at it as well.”
Wilkinson made the most of her opportunities at Jones Oval as the second-placed Rangers stunned the third-ranked Strikers.
“She was always in the right positions and was able to get her footwork in there and take on a few players,” Rantall said.
Warrnambool, which also benefitted from two Emily Whelan goals, made a solid start against Ballarat Eureka to be 3-1 up at half-time.
Rantall said everything clicked the clicked.
“Usually with them it’s pretty close but in the second half we dominated,” she said.
Warrnambool Rangers’ men’s team had a bye.
There are two regular season rounds remaining.