By Kieran Yap 28/5/25
Above: Cameron Barriero leads celebrations after scoring against Bulleen.
Heidelberg United took their chances to record a 2-1 win away to Bulleen Lions and extend their lead at the top of the table. A free kick from Cameron Barriero and an opportunist finish from Sawa Matsuda were enough to survive a second half attacking surge from the home side.
Heidelberg arrived at the Veneto club already in top spot of the NPLW VIC, but with South Melbourne succumbing to their first loss of the season, the had an opportunity to consolidate their title credentials as the half way point of the league approaches.
This was the game of the round going into the weekend. The Grand Final winners were travelling to face the reigning premiers, and while Heidelberg have hit their stride early in the season, Bulleen are still looking to convert strong performances into consistent results.
The home side began strongest, dominating possession, passing comfortably and making a nuisance of themselves on both wings.
Against the run of play, Heidelberg took an early lead. Barriero converted a close range free-kick with a low curling effort that took Erin Hudson by surprise.
Bulleen responded with another extended spell of possession, but Heidelberg’s organised defence restricted them to long range shots that did not trouble Mia Bailey in goal.
At 1-0, it still felt likely that Bulleen would be able to find a win. They were at home, playing well and the mobile attack was creating chances, but Heidelberg have been ruthless this season and doubled their lead in the 45th minute.
An effort from outside of the box deflected off a Bulleen defender and fell into the path of Matsuda who flicked the ball beyond the onrushing Hudson with one delicate touch. In the kind of form she has been in, a half chance is deadly.
Bulleen came out hungry in the second half as the game increased in speed and physicality. Butrus was the obvious talisman, but Hollie Massie was trying to impose herself on the game. The battle on the flank between Butrus and Heidelberg fullback Heidi Draai was an absorbing and exciting contest.
Bulleen looked to use the speed of Butrus, and she positioned herself wide but not on the shoulder of the defence, happy to get possession and trick her way past backpedaling opponents.
In the 53rd minute it paid off as she drew a foul after cutting inside. Massie dispatched the spot kick to give Bulleen reward.
Things got harder for Heidelberg in the second half with Steph Galea being forced from the pitch with an injury.
They pushed high up the field, attempting to hurry and press Bulleen’s midfield, while opting for a mostly safety-first approach in defence.
Bulleen continued to push, and Butrus made good contact on two shots, including one of the half volley, but the score remained at 2-1.
The home side remained calm, but decision making in the final third may have cost them a point in this game as the match entered its final moments.
Heidelberg almost scored a third with a dangerous looking corner, but in the end their two goals were enough. A gritty and determined effort at a ground few teams win at saw them leave with three points.
Preston Lions had five separate goal scorers in their win against Brunswick Juventus. A forced own goal in the 9th minute opened the scoring before Mizuho Yamada and Valentine Pursey made it 3-0 before the break.
The lead was further extended by Ellie La Monte Whyte after half time before Samira Rexhepi pulled one back for the visitors.
The scoring was rounded off by Georgia Henderson with Preston’s fifth of the game of her third of the season.
An Emily Keppens strike was enough to secure Bentleigh Greens a surprise win over Alamein FC. Bentleigh have been steadily improving since promotion to the NPLW and defeating one of the leagues stronger sides will give them even more confidence.
A second half comeback saw Spring Hills FC win 3-2 over Box Hill United.
Josephine Aulicino and Georgia Karaparidis both scored in the first half to give Box Hill a solid lead, but Alek’s Sinclair had other ideas. Her second half brace levelled the scores and Julia Budiongo delivered a winning strike in the 85th minute.
Rachel Stirton’s strike was enough for Boroondara-Carey Eagles to defeat FV Academy 1-0 and maintain their top four position on the ladder.
Despite losing Ellen Turner to a straight red card, The Eagles held on for the three points and hold on to second place.
In the most interesting result of the round, Essendon Royals defeated South Melbourne 3-0 on the 30th Anniversary of their women’s football program.
It was a performance fitting of the occasion and the Royals lifted to end South’s unbeaten run in 2025.
Cobi Wilbert, Sasha Coorey and Fujiwara Airi scored the goals that gave Essendon their third win in a row. In that run, they have scored 11 goals and have emerged as one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the league. Sending South Melbourne to third on the table despite their record was an impressive result for the in-form Royals.
Essendon will face Heidelberg United in another string test that will tell us a lot about both teams. In any case it will be an unmissable game in an increasingly intriguing and unpredictable season.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 