South Melbourne 1 Bulleen Lions 1
By Joe Rosedon 30/6/24
Above: Maja Markovski races forward in the first minute against South Melbourne
Title chasing South Melbourne and Bulleen Lions play out an entertaining stalemate which saw both teams miss big chances to claim all three point.
Straight from the start, Maja Markovski made a telling impact. The inform player received the ball on the right flank from Rosie Rodger, turned her marker and propelled herself into the box. On arrival into the penalty area, she looked up and found Jess Young unmarked at the back post. With the simplest of finishes, Young’s third goal of the season gave the visiting side the lead in the opening minute.
South Melbourne’s response to the early setback was positive, keeping the ball firmly in Bulleen’s end of the pitch but did not create any clear-cut chances. Tayla Christensen’s speculative, deflective effort the closest the home side came to scoring during this period.
South’s Melbourne’s pressure did eventually pay off and it was Danielle Micallef who made Bulleen pay. After capitalising on a wayward Bulleen throw in on the half way line, the ball was worked up to Micallef. The captain then cut inside into the box and curled the ball past and outstretched Erin Hudson in the Bulleen goal. South Melbourne had their equaliser.
The parity between the two title chasing sides was almost compromised when Isabel Dehakiz header was cleared off the line. Despite the balance of play, Bulleen were keen to demonstrate the threat they can pose.
Micallef almost had her second goal of the game in the early stages of the second half but was denied by a smart save from Hudson. Francesca Iermano also tested Hudson but the goal keeper was able to comfortably gather her long-range attempt.
Despite South Melbourne’s continued dominance of possession, Bulleen manufactured the clearest chance of the second half up until that point. A dangerous free kick was flicked into the path of Alana Cortellino who struck the postfrom close range.
In response, South Melbourne were able to fashion a chance when Iermano’s cross was met by Emily Roach who lifted the ball over the crossbar. Roach then came even closer, forcing a tremendous save from Hudon at her near post, tipping the ball onto the bar.
South Melbourne struck the woodwork once again, Kiara Hronopoulus ambitious free kick had Hudson beaten did not have the frame of the goal beaten, rattling off the cross bar.
Bulleen were able to create more chances in the second half. Markovski had a shot blocked that on another day could have seen the ball loop into the net whilst also failing to make a sufficient connection from a headed effort.
On the balance of play, South Melbourne will be disappointed they did not come away with the victory. Their impressive seven game winning streak has come to an end and they will be looking to get back to winning ways next time out against fellow title chasers Essendon Royals away from home.
This is a big point for Bulleen. Being able to get a draw away from home whilst not playing at their fluent best is a characteristic of potential champions, especially against a title rival. They were able to maintain their four-point gap at the top of the table between themselves and South Melbourne. They next face Box Hill Untied at home
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