Preston 2 Essendon 2
By Joe Rosedon 20/8/24
Title rivals Preston and Essendon battle out to a 2-2 draw that puts Bulleen in pole position to secure a first-place finish. A goal from Ava Groba and an own goal from Ellie La Monte were cancelled out by Georgia Henderson and Haley Johnson
A frenetic start to the game saw both teams find the back of the net in the first ten minutes. The visitors struck first. Serbian international Tyla-Jay Vlajnic’s corner was inadvertently headed home by Ellie La Monte to give Essendon an early advantage
Essendon only led for two minutes. Mebae Tanaka was allowed too much space to deliver a cross into the box. On the end of the cross was captain Georgia Henderson. Her header was too much for Bethany Mason-Jones to handle, spilling the ball into the net.
Preston really began to take control and apply serious pressureafter their equaliser but Essendon was resolute in defence for the remainder of the first half. The visitors did have sparing attacks but were not clinical enough in those positions to make them count. Any kind of attacking threat came from Vlajnic.
The beginning of the second half saw little action with La Monte’s long range attempt the closest either side got to scoring during this period. However, this lack of action was soon to be concluded with a sensational goal.
After winning the ball back in midfield, Reona Omiya spotted Ava Groba in space down the left-hand side. Slipping the ball through the defence, Omiya found Groba. With a first-time effort, Groba was able to lift the ball over Preston keeper Charlotte Hrehorsein to restore the lead for Essendon.
Mirroring the first half, their lead did not last long at all. Straight from kick-off, the ball was worked wide to La Monte. Her first time cross found Haley Johnson unmarked to rise high and head home to level up the game once again, her 18thgoal in 21 appearances.
For the remainder of the game, both teams pushed for that all important winning goal, yet it wasn’t to be.
The only team this result benefited was Bulleen at the top of the table. If they win away to Alamein, then they are Premiers. Bulleen will need to drop points against Alamein if either Preston or Essendon want to claim the league title. They conclude their regular seasons away to Heidelburg and at home to Alamein
Alamein 1-4 Bulleen Lions
By Kieran Yap
The result at Preston put the title in Bulleen’s control. Although the league leaders lost on the previous Monday, Bulleen did not look like fumbling the premiership against Alamein.
Melbourne Victory star Alana Murphy lined up in a deep playmaking role, while new Western United signing Alana Cortellino lined up on the right at Dorothy Laver reserve.
On their renovated home turf, Alamein did not take a backwards step. Sidney Allen was busy in attack, and tried to test the visitors defence with some determined runs. At half time the scores remained 1-0 and it felt like Bulleen needed at least one more to secure the three points.
That cushion arrived through the right foot of Maja Markoviski. Alamein’s defence had done well to push the striker deep, but that only afforded her the space to unleash a long range rocket that flew into the net, leaving everybody in attendance stunned.
Bulleen extended their lead to three when second half substitute Lourdes Gonzales curled home her effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Rebecca Saber pulled back a well deserved goal for Alamein to make it 3-1, but a Tiffany Eliadis free kick found a way past Tayla Murphy in goal to make it 4-1 and crown Bulleen the minor premiers for the second season running.
The top place finish grants Caitlin Friend her second trophy of the season after defeating Preston in the Nike FC Cup, and puts Bulleen on course for a treble should they go one step further in the finals than the last two years.
While last season’s premiership had a feeling of relief about it, this felt more emphatic. Bulleen have won again in an increasingly competitive and unforgiving league. They have overcome significant injuries and the departure or absence of some stars of 2023 such as Beattie Goad and Alana Jancevski.
Despite their obvious attacking abilities, this premiership was once again built on a strong defensive foundation. They conceded the fewest goals of the season and only second placed Preston fared better in attack.
Bulleen are worthy premiers, having never really suffered a dip in form, despite needing to restructure the squad and tactics throughout the season. The finals cannot come soon enough for this team, especially as they have contested the previous two Grand Finals and will be hungry to win that last
elusive trophy.
Congratulations Bulleen Lions FC on another tremendous home
and away season.
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