By Kieran Yap 30/4/25
Above: Bulleen Lions celebrate Danella Butrus’s goal.
Bulleen Lions have broken a three game losing streak in the league with an entertaining win over Boroondara-Carey Eagles. Danella Butrus scored a contender for goal of the season in an outstanding performance that saw her earn a penalty before helping set up the opening chance as well.
Following losses to Essendon Royals, Preston Lions and Alamein, Bulleen needed a result. They had recovered some form, luck and injured players in the Nike FC Cup win over Keilor Park but that had to transfer to the NPL for the reigning premiers to return to the winners list.
Nia Salleh, Rosie Rodger and Sarah Cain made up an attacking midfield, while Mary Brown earned herself a start as the centre forward. Bulleen were dominant for most of this match, looking to make the most of their creative midfield trio with through balls to the pacey attackers.
Butrus was the most dangerous player on the pitch from the earliest stages of the game. The former Junior Matilda proved a handful for Kanako Higuchi in the Boroondara defence.
Butrus was the first to test Mia Mossman in goal with a low trajectory effort in the first half. Mossman saved well and then followed it up with an immediate block from Salleh’s effort on the rebound.
Butrus’s trickery earned her side a first half penalty. After wriggling free on the wing, she was brought down in the box, but Mossman was once again equal to the occasion and saved Salleh’s spot kick.
An opening goal felt inevitable, and it arrived soon after. Rodger’s defence splitting pass found Butrus who forced Mossman into yet another save, but Anais Josefski followed up the chance to tuck away the rebound.
That pair combined again before half time when Josefski’s trademark run created a chance for Butrus who’s shot bounced back off the far post.
It took something special to beat Mossman for the second time, and Butrus provided that in the second half. She doubled Bulleen’s lead with a spectacular overhead kick. Turning the corner into the net from near the edge of the 18 yard box with a piece of ridiculous skill.
Substitute Talor Golden made it 3-0 immediately from the kickoff with a composed finish after Bulleen won the ball back with intense pressure. The contest was effectively over and the result leaves Bulleen only a point outside the top four, and more importantly arrested a slide in results that while uncharacteristic for them, is not that unusual in the context of this NPLW Victoria season.
Other results in Round Six saw Alamein defeat Essendon Royals 4-2. Fujiwara Airi opened the scoring for the Royals, but Zoe Houghton levelled things up or the visitors. Savanna Anastasopoulos put Alamein ahead in the second half before another equalising goal by Mia Lantieri-Bartley.
Emma Runnalls and Paige Clemenson scored the vital goals to ensure Alamein left with an impressive three points.
Heidelberg United defeated Brunswick Juventus 2-1 thanks for goals from Samantha Curwood-Wagner and Sawa Matsuda. Shishido Nanami opened the scoring for the home side, but the Zebra’s were unable to hold that lead in the second half.
Footballs Victoria Acadamy got their first win of the season with a 2-1 result against Spring Hills FC. The young side looked headed for another loss when Sophie Papalia finished for the home side in the 54th minute Fiorina Iaria levelled the scores with an impressive response ten minte later before Ehva Gutszmit won it late.
South Melbourne continued their imperious form with a 4-1 win over Box Hills United. The result never felt in doubt after the visitors opened the scoring in the third minute through Mami Ambo.
South were 2-0 up after Bridie Cooling doubled their lead. Gabrielle Simpson pulled one back for the home team, but that was answered with another pair of strikes from new signings Alana Burn and Raquel Derales.
A Valentine Pursey hatrick was enough for Preston Lions to survive a late comeback by Bentleigh Greens. Eri Narita scored the other goal for the home side, while Sidney Allen brough up a brace for the visitors before Georgia Kandilas provided some hope with a goal in the 90th minute.
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