In this weekend's matches, the Toppserien threw up some intriguing battles and ensured that the race for the title was still firmly on.
Both Våleranga and LSK had a bye during this round and will play their match during the ninth round of the Toppserien. This gave the teams around LSK a chance to make up some valuable ground on the league leaders.
The top four continued their march to the top
Avaldsnes came out of a highly entertaining 4-3 home win over Røa to end the weekend on top of the Toppserien. Avaldsnes opened the scoring through one of the new additions to squad, Andrine Tomter, and Holmfriður Magnusdottir before Line Hem pulled one back for Røa. Gunhild Herregarden then tied the game up for Røa only for substitute Elise Thorsnes to give the lead back to Avaldsnes. Ingrid Ryland extended the lead for Avaldsnes but the scoring was not over as Elisabeth Jeppesen brought Røa back to within one goal of Avaldsnes two minutes after Ryland's goal. Røa pushed for the equaliser but Avaldsnes held firm to finish out the match and gain all three points.
Stabæk bounced back from their loss in the previous round and overcame a gritty Arna-Bjørnar side to stay within two points of now league-leaders Avaldsnes. The only goal of the game came from Trine Bjerke Ronning in the sixty-first minute of the match after a very solid defensive performance from Arna-Bjørnar had kept Stabæk out during the first half.
Kolbotn kept themselves in the chase for a top two finish by beating second-to-last placed Medkila. Former Houston Dash midfielder Rachael Axon opened the scoring for Kolbotn in the first half and the final goal of the game came from the in-form Finnish striker Juliette Kemppi. This was a welcome three points for Kolbotn after two previous losses while Medkila continue to languish at the bottom of the table.
Last placed Urædd continue to falter
In what was seen as a routine win for the home side, Klepp duly obliged and smashed bottom side Urædd by 6-1. Urædd's form has been abysmal this season and the team has not registered a single point yet during this season. Klepp got off to a flying start when Urædd's Mariken Kleppe scored an unfortunate own goal in the first minute of the game. Susanne Vistnes, Marie Bakke, Andrea Norheim and the in-form Line Smorsgard (with a brace) all piled on the misery for Urædd. Lindy Melissa Lovbaek Wiik could only grab a consoltaion goal for an outmatched Urædd side.
In the other match of the weekend, Sandviken and Trondheims-Ørn featured in a one-all draw. This was always going to be a tough match for either team as they are both evenly matched and the result matched the pre-match predictions. Vilde Oyri opened the scoring and her account for the season, for the home side who stayed in front until the second half where Oda Fugelsnes got her first goal of the season for Trondheims-Ørn to level things up. This result leaves both teams on level points with each other and firmly in the middle of the pack.