By Kieran Yap 14/8/23
Above: Calder United celebrating their sixth Nike FC Cup. Image: Calder United
Boroondara have one hand on the premiership, Calder United added their name to the Nike FC Cup yet again, and South Melbourne were held by Southern United over the weekend in Victorian women’s football.
Nike FC Cup Grand Final- Calder United 2-0 Bulleen United
Two late second half goals was enough for Calder United to win the Nike FC Cup for a sixth time on the weekend. Lucy Richards and Raquel Derales both struck in the 78th and 90th minute respectively after a tight tussle for much of the evening, with the Bulleen Lions looking worthy of the cup but unable to get the upper hand.
The match was played at the new home of The Matildas in Bundoora. Although the two clubs played out a 0-0 draw last weekend, it felt like both had something in reserve. Maja Markovski started for the Lions despite going off injured in the Round 21 clash.
Markovski was instrumental in Bulleen best chance of the game, she collected a pass from Paige Zois, then flicked it over the defence as the midfielder continued her run. Zois was beaten to it by Natalie Picak in the Calder goal, and the whistle was blown to pause play for the injured goalkeeper.
Richards finally broke the deadlock for the cup holders with a terrific finish, Kiwa Hieda’s sparkling league form carried over into the cup and her run and cut back created the chance for Richards to finish low and hard past Gaby Garton.
With Bulleen searching for a late equaliser, Raquel Derales sealed the result with a close-range finish from Julia Sardo’s cutback.
Calder lifted the trophy yet again. Bulleen will be disappointed. They had high hopes, were in strong form and definitely improved their performance from last season’s league decider. The gap has been closed, but Calder retain the cup that they now win by tradition.
Box Hill United 0-2 Alamein FC
Alamein’s late season resurgence continued with their third consecutive win. As usual Sidney Allen was crucial to the victory. The captain opened the scoring with one of her best of the season.
Alamein’s 36th minute attack was cut off by the Box Hill defence, and the ball bounced at the edge of the box. With her back to goal, Allen swivelled and looped a spectacular effort over the entire defence and into the net. It was her 13th goal of a remarkable season.
Alamein’s skipper was at the centre of their second goal. her pass unlocked the space for the cross that Rebecca Saber nodded home in the 85th minute. Alamein’s pressure was the key to creating the chance. They pressed high up the ground to create the turnover as Box Hill tried to bring the ball out through the midfield and made the most of the opportunity.
The win brings them up to fifth on the table, and with a BYE next week, they have no chance of making the top four, but it has been another impressive finish from the Women’s only club. If the table remains the same it will be their second fifth place finish in two seasons. They will look to make that final leap in 2024.
Bayside United 0-1 Preston Lions.
Kaitlyn Torpey’s time as a striker has been one of the season’s most wildly successful moves. Her pace and composure has made her a natural for the position. Torpey’s acceleration combined with Ella Mastrantonio’s midfield skill has made Preston one of the form teams of the second half of the season.
She has nine goals in eight appearances and her most recent was all that separated the two sides on the weekend.
It was a typical Torpey goal at this point. A long pas through the midfield and the offside trap made a mockery of by her explosive pace. She took one touch to flick the ball beyond the goalkeeper and did not need a second to make sure of it. The ball bobbled over the line and Torpey wheeled away in celebration.
Preston can finish the season as high as fifth. They can leapfrog Alamein with a win against Box Hill next week. Baydside will face Calder United with the reigning champions already assured of finals football. Bayside’s early season form has faded, but they will look to go out on a high.
Southern United 2-2 South Melbourne
South Melbourne’s hold on third place took a surprising hit away to bottom placed Southern United. Rhiannon Kelleher and Rachel Binning scored for the home side, while South Melbourne rescued a point through Caitlin Picket and Zoe Lambi.
The opening goal was an end-to-end effort. Kelleher was on the end of it, but it was a swift, three-pass move that put the home side in the lead in the 36th minute.
Southern’s second goal was one that South Melbourne would be disappointed to concede. Binning climbed highest and nodded a textbook header into the net from a corner kick, but was left unmarked to finish in the box.
It took until the 76th minute before Pickett pulled one back. South build th move from the back with Brianne Reed’s pinpoint switch of play put Janna Lawson into space to cross low and allow for the Pickett’s tidy finish.
With the clock ticking down, South finally drew level through Lambi. Reed again brought the ball out from defence and the attack ended with Lambi’s first time strike from the edge of the box. It was the 85th minute of play.
FV Emerging 2-3 Boroondara Carey-Eagles.
FV Emerging may not be a finals team this season, but there are few sides that relish playing the NTC youngsters. They are capable of scoring against most opposition and with Boroondara looking to make a final push for top spot, they could not have had a harder test.
Emerging went into a lead in the 27th minute. Isabella Accardo’s free kick was whipped into towards Emilie Keppens. The striker leapt high and looked to have gotten a head to the ball, but it was ruled an own goal against The Eagles defence. In any case, Emerging were in the lead.
Margot Robbine levelled things up for Boroondara in the second half. The visitors struck on the counterattack and Robbine was able to flick the ball beyond the goalkeeper with all the time in the world.
Some persistence and skill from Robbine on the wing gave Boroondara the lead. Marguerite Eudes got the final volleyed touch to the cross, and The Eagles were back in control.
You would win no prizes for guessing who scored the sealer. Kurea Okino had a rare goalless outing in round 20, but nodded home from a corner to make it 3-1. It was her 31st goal on 2023, and was her most important yet.
Emerging provided the game with a nervy finish however. Alana Cortellino’s pace had been a problem all night as it has been all season, and she took the home side into attack once more. The eventual cross fell to Nia Arianna Mohd Salleh who had the goal at her mercy and made it 3-2.
The win puts Boroondara back into top spot with one game left to play. They sit one point ahead of Bulleen and the title will go down to the wire next weekend.
Boroondara have the tougher of the two fixtures. They will host South Melbourne who will want to rebound from this round’s draw and secure third place. Bulleen will need to win against Southern United and hope that Boroondara draw or lose to win the premiership.
In any case, this season is headed for a blockbuster finish, and nobody can reliably predict who will lift the trophy.
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