Mandy Islacker's fifth minute volley was enough to take 1. FFC Frankfurt to the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga table and earn a hard-fought win over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim began their season with a 0-0 draw against SC Freiburg, not a bad result by any means. However, coach Jürgen Ehrmann still opted to make three games from that side. Nicole Billa, Michaela Specht and Emily Evels dropped to the bench, as Isabella Hartig, Lina Bürger, Judith Steinert earned a place in the starting line-up.

As for the reigning Champions League winners, they returned to league action by beating SGS Essen 2-0. Colin Bell did decide to make two changes to the team that began the campaign with a win, replacing Saskia Bartusiak and Ana-Maria Crnogorčević with Emily van Egmond and Isabelle Linden.

Hoffenheim start brightly but find themselves behind

The hosts almost got off to the perfect early start when Silvana Chojnowski went close early on. She capitalised on some sloppy play at the back before being fed through on goal, only to see her effort flash past the far post and go just wide.

Their strong start to the game was short lived and Frankfirt went in front soon after. Kerstin Garefrekes burst past her defender and drove to the by-line before digging out a great cross to the back post. Yūki Ōgimi couldn't finish the move off herself and had the presence of mind to head back to Mandy Islacker, who volleyed into the top corner.

Islacker was proving a real handful for the Hoffenheim defence and she could have had a hat-trick in the first ten minutes. First, she was inches away from connecting with Garefrekes' cross and moments later she rattled the bar with another stunning volley.

Chances continue to fall to both sides

Despite the onslaught, Hoffenheim held their own and were unfortunate not to score for the second time in the game. The bright Chojnowski rose highest to meet a well-flighted free-kick, flicking it onto the woodwork from 12 yards out. A corner straight from the training ground almost paid dividends in the same phase of play but was bravely blocked by the Frankfurt defence.

Hoffenheim were still creating more chances and, even though they were from distance, still gave Desirée Schumann something to think about in the visiting goal. Frankfurt came forward again and were denied by a great double save from Martina Tufeković, who denied Ōgimi's volley before reacting quickly to halt Ilsacker's follow-up.

Bell's side thought they'd grabbed a second goal just before the break but were denied by the lineswoman. Simone Laudehr's volley was brilliantly stopped by Tufeković but Peggy Kuznik was correctly flagged for offside as she tapped in the rebound. Frankfurt went in with the lead at the break though it was not as comfortable as they would have hoped for.

Second half is much tighter

The second half began much more quietly than the first. Both teams didn't have the same verve and drive to go forward and looked much more structured at the back. Jackie Groenen was brought on to try and spark the game into life and very nearly added to the Frankfurt tally, only to see her shot held by Tufeković.

The main worry for Frankfurt was over Laudehr, who went down in a heap after trying to take on Hartig, looked like she'd done some serious damage to her ankle or knee. Thankfully for the visitors, she was soon up again after a period of treatment.

Frankfurt come out with the three points

Laudehr almost put the game out of reach but was prevented from doing so by the outstretched Tufeković. The Croatian custodian somehow managed to parry away her fierce drive from point-blank range and kept alive any hopes of a late fight back. That almost came to fruition late on as Chojnowski got free on goal five minutes before full-time, only to drag her shot well-wide.

That's how the game remained to full-time, with the hosts putting up more than just a good effort against their opponents. Hoffenheim have just one point from a possible six but will take great confidence from their performance. As for Frankfurt, it's two wins from two and two clean sheets to go with that; just what they would have wanted.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]