Kieran Yap provides his weekly round-up of all the action from the Victoria NPL Women’s competition. (25/5/22).
Above: Calder United (white) take on Box Hill United during Round Eight. Photo: Jack Dilks/171819
South Melbourne backed up their first win of the season with a 3-3 draw with Bulleen Lions FC in Round Eight. A see-sawing contest saw Bulleen take an early lead through Alana Burn’s 14th-minute strike before South Melbourne’s winger Francesco Iermano levelled the scores soon after.
In a boost for Bulleen, star striker Alana Jancevski put in her best performance of the season. The 20-year-old starred for Perth Glory in the A-League Women season, and has slowly returned from injury in the NPLW. She scored in the 45th and 50th minutes to put the Lions two goals ahead, underlining her quality in front of goal.
Caitlin Picket pulled one back for South Melbourne in the 69th minute, and Bulleen looked set to hold on for a close win before Janna Lawson equalised in injury time.
The goal, combined with other results took South Melbourne off the bottom of the table for the first time this season. Bulleen slipped to third but can bounce back against Box Hill on Friday night.
Calder United’s strong season continued with a 2-0 win over Box Hill United. Only goal difference separates them from league leaders Heidelberg United. Emma Robers and Stacey Papadopoulos scored in each half to record their fourth win in a row. Mark Torcaso’s side have not conceded in that winning streak and have only been scored against three times so far.
Bayside United and Heidelberg United produced the second shootout of the round. The home side had struggled to score for much of the first seven weeks but found the net twice against the league leaders. Unfortunately, they also conceded five, but this was an encouraging performance from Bayside.
Danielle Wise struck first for Heidelberg and Keely Lockhart doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime.
Coco Parker pulled one back for Bayside on the 49th minute, but Stephanie Galea answered with a brace for Heidelberg to make it 4-1.
Julia Budiongo scored Bayside’s second in the 72nd minute to give her side a lifeline. Substitute Sophie Papalia scored late to secure a 5-2 win for Heidelberg who sit atop the table on goal difference.
A single goal from Elaina Vatcky was enough for Alamein to defeat FV Emerging on Saturday. The fifth-minute goal keeps Alamein in fourth place, and clear of Box Hill United.
FV Emerging will turn their attention to Calder United next week which promises to be an interesting clash between two youthful sides. Fourth will play first when Heidelberg travel to face Alamein who are still awaiting the debut of star signing Amy Jackson.
Box Hill United will be no easy task for Bulleen Lions FC. Both sides usually find the goal, but Box Hill are one of only two sides to win against Heidelberg United. The meeting between fifth and third promises to be one of the best contests of the week.
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