She decided to implement a system seen on soccer fields across Australia each weekend – the four-four-two line-up – and it worked a treat as her side posted a 6-3 victory at Bob Roach Field.

Using Emma Siejka and Ali Stanford as high strikers in front of a quick and skilled midfield of Tahni Isedale, Sarah Watterson, Amelia Burke and Ash Corby gave Souths plenty of space and options.

The win sees them leapfrog Dubbo on the ladder and they head into the ANZAC weekend break with a record of three wins and three losses.

“We scored two early goals and went from there; they were excellent field goals. We played the ball out of defence well. We played a little bit different game to what we have the last four or five weeks,” Bestwick said.

“The system we used utilised two high strikers and Sarah Watto. She just found so much space out there, her and Tahni, it was unbelievable.

“We also had a lot of numbers near the ball and played a good team game. Not once did I look up and see that there was only one player on the ball.”

Souths got the match off to a good start as both Siejka and Stanford scored inside the first 12 minutes, while Burke helped push the lead out to three by half-time.

But the real drama came after the break.

Dubbo’s coach was shown a red card for abusing one of the officials and, as such, was required to leave the complex.

His players rallied in his absence and, led by talented striker Tarlee Roberts, Dubbo fought their way back into the contest. She twice found the mark, while team-mate Hollie Jones got on the scoresheet as well.

Dubbo gave themselves a sniff at 5-3, but Souths were not about to let their hard work be undone. They renewed their efforts – Stanford finishing with a hat-trick – to emerge as three-goal victors.

“Once their coach got ejected they really fired up. Their striker [Roberts], she is just amazing. She is very quick and skilful and she can get a shot away from anywhere,” Bestwick said.

“There was one goal they scored against us that I was disappointed with – a penalty corner broke down and our posties got a bit lackadaisical, so that was disappointing. But when they had a second penalty corner our posties held their position. If they didn’t, Dubbo would have scored again, so I was pleased to see they had learnt from their mistake.

“I was really impressed with our intensity in the second half. We didn’t drop off, which is something we have tended to do in the past. We didn’t rest on our laurels.”

SOUTHS 6 (Ali Stanford 3, Emma Siejka, Amelia Burke, Sarah Watterson) defeated DUBBO BLUE JAYS 3 (Tarlee Roberts 2, Hollie Jones)