Keilor Park could not translate its hot form in the Team App Cup into the opening round of the Football Federation Victoria women’s state league 1 north-west.
The Parkers lost 2-1 to Essendon Royals at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Sunday, ending a three-game win streak in cup games.
Bianca Ortika found the back of the net for the Parkers.
The loss was a rare sour note for Keilor Park in the early part of this season.
After wins over Monash University, Preston Lions and Sandringham, the Parkers have reached the quarter-final stage of the Team App Cup. They will face FC Bulleen next week.
Their most recent cup clash against Sandringham resulted in a 5-0 victory, including a hat-trick to Aleksandra Sinclair.
Sinclair has scored a phenomenal eight goals in three cup games.
In women’s state league 3, Spring Hills romped to a 7-1 win over RMIT away at Poplar Oval, led by four-goal star Isabella Dimoska.
The three points eluded St Albans Saints, who lost 3-0 to Hoppers Crossing at Grange Reserve.
In NPL women, Calder United had a 7-0 win over Bayside United at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Sunday night to move up to second.
Calder will host fourth-placed Alamein in a blockbuster at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.