Preston Lions 0-2 Bulleen Lions
By Joe Rosedon 20/5/24
Above: Maja Markovski (white shirt) in action for Bulleen at Preston Lions. Photo: Bulleen Lions Instagram.
Bulleen Lions saw off Preston Lions 2-0 in a top of the table clash, ending Preston’s undefeated start to the season. Goals from Alana Cortellino and an own goal from Jamilla Rankin were enough for Bulleen to close the gap to the league leaders to two points.
Bulleen started the match with a bang. A ball over the top from Loudres Gonzalez found Cortellino, in the opening seconds. Cortellino composed herself and fired home into the bottom left corner, giving the away side the perfect start and her third goal of the season.
Bulleen almost made it two. Maja Markovski’s edge of the box effort clipped the outside of the post, catching Preston’sgoalkeeper Charlotte Hrehoresin somewhat off-guard. Hrehoresin then produced a smart save from Gonzalez from a similar range
Despite being under serious pressure for the opening 30 minuets of the game, Preston felt they should have equalized. Ellie Lamonte’s inch perfect back post cross found MebaeTanaka. Her header had Erin Hudson beaten but the ball just drifted wide of the post. Preston looked most effective through their wide play and this time it almost paid off with a goal.
Bullen should have doubled their lead in the final stages of the first half. Yuka Sato found space on the edge of the Preston box. Her deft pass found Katrina Nikpour but her effort was straight at Hrehorsein who was able to palm away the ball
Preston needed a fast start in the second half to get back into the game. They almost got what they desired and again it came through wide play. Lamonte’s run in behind the Bulleen defence was found, but her effort on goal was equally matched by Hudson, producing a fine save to keep the visitingsides lead intact.
Hudson again denied Preston, this time from Hayley Johnson’s point-blank header from a corner. With help from the defence, Bulleen were able to scramble the ball away. Thehome side were firmly back on top, and it felt as if an equaliser was inevitable
But Bulleen had other ideas. A devastating counterattack was concluded when Markovski accurate through ball found Jessica Young in the box. Young’s close-range effort was heading towards goal but was helped over the line by Jamilla Rankin at the back post to double the away sides lead againstthe run of play.
Markovski, who was outstanding throughout, was involved again, this time on the other end of a pitch. Her goal line clearance from a free kick from Susan Phonsongkhamstopped a certain goal for Preston, this proving to be Preston’s last real effort of the game.
Preston will look to bounce back from this defeat in potentially tricky away game against third place Essendon Royals. Bulleen hope they can maintain their 100% winning record since opening day defeat, against seventh place Senior NTC
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