By Kieran Yap 2/4/25
Above: Sawa Matsuda. Photo: Adrian Geremia for Heidelberg United.
It is still early days in the 2025 season, but there is a bit of swagger about Heidelberg United. they are playing like a team that won the Grand Final, and while they may not be sweeping teams aside right now, there is an aura and confidence about them, they don’t mind being the hunted and their third consecutive win was another example of this.
Goals to Rosie Wild, Samantha Curwood-Wagner, Judy Connolly, Cameron Barreiro and Sawa Matsuda helped them to a 5-2 win over FV Academy. Ehva Gutszmit and Anika Dovaston scored for the home side.
Heidelberg did not take FV Academy lightly. Despite the development side’s big loss to South Melbourne in Round Two, they showed that they could be a dangerous side. That scoreline was harsh on them and The Bergers were taking no chances, especially Keely Lockhart who was full of running and purpose from the opening whistle.
Curwood-Wagner opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A surging Lockhart run helped the ball onto her, and the finish was calm to beat the well positioned Charlotte Hrehoresin. Gutszmit tried to find an equaliser for FV Acamedy, but her long distance effort, though well-struck swung wide of the target.
Lockhart then had her own attempt from outside of the box. The powerful drive crashed off the crossbar, and Matsuda was on hand to head home into an empty net.
A mazy, persistent run from Judy Connolly earned Heidelberg a penalty before half time. She dusted herself off the dispatch the spot kick herself and make it 3-0. The game seemed fully in their control.
FV Academy came out after the break with undented confidence. Although Heidelberg had the first effort on goal through Matsuda, it was FV Academy who pulled one back. Dovaston earned her side a corner and Gutszmit’s delivery went straight in at the near post, dipping vengefully at Mia Bailey’s feet.
The tricky Curwood-Wagner tried to answer immediately with another dangerous run down the right, but FV Academy’s defence kept their shape and their feet to clear the danger.
The next clear chance fell again to FV Academy. Clancy Westaway intercepted an under hit pass and burst clear. She attempted to loft the ball over Bailey, but the champion goalkeeper stayed uncommitted to save what looked like a certain goal.
Momentum continued to swing as the game opened up, but a fourth goal to Heidelberg effectively ended this as a contest. Rosie Wild launched highest at a corner kick to nod home from close range and make it 4-1 in the 70th minute.
FV Academy were not finished though and Anika Dovaston scored a wonder goal on her 50th appearance in the league to make it 4-2. Westaway did very well to maintain possession and wait for attacking options to arrive. Dovaston did spectacularly well to rocket home the goal with a dipping, swerving shot from beyond 20 yards.
Another penalty kick gifted Heidelberg their fifth. It was an unlucky handball, but one right Infront of the referee. Barreiro scored from the spot to put an exclamation point on the game and keep Heidelberg in top spot on the ladder after three rounds.
In other results, Bentleigh Greens SC defeated Brunswick Juventus 1-0. Reagan Bridges’ goal gave Bentleigh their first win of the season and will come as some relief after a high profile recruitment drive in the off season.
South Melbourne continued on their goal scoring ways with a 3-0 win away to the normally consistent Alamain FC. The win makes it 10 goals in the last two games for South, with Meisha Westland particularly impressive for the second week in a row.
An Olivia Anderson brace helped newly promoted Spring Hills FC to a 3-1 win over last season’s semi-finalist Essendon Royals, and The Preston Lions did most of their damage late in a 3-0 defeat of Bulleen.
Preston led by a single goal for much of the game, but added two in the final minutes as Bulleen chased a point.
Katie Cox scored twice for Box Hill as they won their fixture 2-0 against Boroondara-Carey Eagles. With a game against the impressive Bentleigh Greens next round, getting a win and some much needed confidence was important, and this result should make next week’s match all the more intriguing.
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