By Kieran Yap 14/5/24
Bulleen Lions won their fifth consecutive game with a dominant display at the Veneto Club against Bentleigh Greens. The Round Eight clash saw the newly promoted side travel to the home of the premiers, and Cailtin Friend’s team was in the mood to entertain with a 7-0 win that pushes them to second on the table with a game in hand.
Bulleen set up to press and dominate early and the scores were level for 15 minutes until Isabel Dehakiz stormed forward from defence to unleash a thunderous goal from long range. It was a spectacular effort that set the tone for a near perfect afternoon for the central defender.
Bulleen added a second in the 37th minute. Alana Burn’s long ball forward found the in-form Maja Markovski. Her first attempt at goal was closed down by the defender, but although she was denied the volley, Markovski’s composure remained and she was able to calmly slot the ball home from close range.
It was 3-0 before half time. Star signing Alana Cortellino was well positioned to tap home from Betti Micheal’s cutback after a quick counterattacking move from Bulleen. Ominously for Bentleigh they had scored from three different methods of attack, while the pairing of Burn and Dehakiz were giving no space away at the back.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly squashed just two minutes after half time. Markovski’s strike from a short corner may have been deflected on its way into the back of the net, but the effort from one target. The goal was credited to Lourdes Gonzales in the end and was 4-0 with plenty of scoring to come.
With the result seemingly secure, Caitlin Friend rested Michael and brought Katrina Nikpour into the game. The former Heidelberg United attacker and Melbourne Victory train on player had an almost instant impact with a through ball for Lourdes Gonzales to round the goalkeeper and score.
Bulleen’s sixth was a spectacular effort. If not for Dehakiz’s opener it would have no competition for goal of the match. A Bentleigh Green’s corner drifted across the box and Alana Cortellino sensed an opportunity. With a explosive burst of pace she raced from to the wing and tore past two Bentleigh defenders. there was still about 30 metres left to run, but she raced along the touchline and into the penalty box before squaring for the easiest of finishes by Gonzales to complete her hatrick.
Cortellino showed why she is one of the most entertaining players in the competition, but the goal was impressive beyond what it looked like in isolation. This was a 67th minute run that took in the entire length of the pitch. Cortellino had pressed in attack for much of the first half when Bentleigh had possession, and had been paid close physical attention by the defence when she had the ball. It took only seconds for Bulleen to go from deep in defence to a tap in goal through the tremendous individual effort.
The seventh and final goal of the game felt unfortunate, and Bentleigh looked tired by this point. Markovski’s clever turn at the edge of the box invited a challenge and earned a penalty which she dispatched herself with a confident finish to bring up her brace.
Bulleen were ruthless and efficient with the ball, but their control of the game without it is what will have the rest of the league on alert. The can go from defence to attack almost instantly and without warning and through a variety of avenues. It is a defence-first team that sets themselves up to create a lot of chances and have game changing talent on the bench.
Next up is an very different proposition. They face top placed Preston Lions who have added to their strong start to the season by recently signing capped Matildas Emma Checker and Jamilla Rankin. It will be an intriguing contest.
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