By Kieran Yap 26/6/24
Above: Maja Markovski strikes her fourth of the afternoon.
Round 14: Bulleen Lions 6-2 Boroondara Eagles
Maja Markovski scored four goals to keep Bulleen at the top of the table with a 6-2 win at home against the Boroondara Eagles.
The win was an emphatic response from Caitlin Friend’s team after they found themselves in the unfamiliar position of losing twice in a row coming into Round 14.
The home side started emphatically, attacking Boroondara right from kickoff. Jessica Young’s corner kick was turned in by Alana Burn in just the second minute of play. Set pieces have been an area of strength over the past two season for Bulleen and giving them successive attempts at corners so early in the game was always going to spell trouble for Boroondara’s defence.
Markovski scored her first of the afternoon to give The Lions a two goal buffer. A clever turn on the edge of the area put her into space and with Boroondara expecting a cross, the defenders back away for a moment, giving her all the opportunity she needed to produce an excellent finish.
Jessica Young got in on the scoring to make it 3-0. Another Bulleen attack saw the ball ricochet around the 18 yard box before Young drove it through traffic and into the back of the net.
Despite the scoreline, Boroondara remained dangerous. With golden boot leader Gabrielle Hollar and last season’s dominant striker Kurea Okino in attack defenders are kept occupied. That leaves space for players like new recruit Anais Josefski to be left one on one.
A sweeping end to end move began by Anna Liacopoulos ended with Josefski cutting in from the left, accelerating into space and firing her shot into the top corner as almost the last act of the half. It was probably the best goal of a high scoring game, and gave the visitors a much needed lifeline.
Any hope for Boorondara was extinguished by Markovski’s second half performance. She made it 4-1 after her free kick was blocked by the wall, but then followed up with a perfectly struck low drive from 20 yards.
Markovski rose highest from a corner to make it 5-1 from close range soon after and complete her hatrick in the 54th minute.
Boroondara never stopped trying to find a way back into the contest, and responded to that goal almost instantly. Okino’s nod down fell for Hayley Geurts to thrash home a goal from distance. It was spectacular and for a moment, it was hope.
The scoring slowed for the next 30 minutes, although the intent did not. As the clocked ticked down the result seemed secured and Markovski removed any hint of doubt with her fourth of the day.
The mobile centre forward has tall stature, quick feet and knows how to position herself to make fouling her seem hard to avoid and in the 87th minute another clever turn, saw her brought down in the penalty area.
She took the kick herself and left the goalkeeper with no chance of saving it. Four goals to Markovski, all from different sources and Bulleen had put the slight form blip of the past fortnight firmly behind them.
Things are looking increasingly positive for Caitlin Friend’s squad. They already have impressive depth, but added the returning Tiffany Eliadis to the squad for todays match. The Bullen icon and Melbourne Victory cult hero’s return to the Vento Club coincided with Paige Zois missing this game through injury.
Bulleen are top of the ladder and still building toward their best. Next up will be another firm test. A resurgent South Melbourne who are coming off a 5-1 win against Alamein.
Boroondara’s fixture is no easier. They will need to respond to this loss against the second placed Essendon Royals, who boast former Eagle Emily Sutcliffe among their impressive and in-form squad.
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