By Kieran Yap 25/3/26
Above: Maia Capitanio. Photo: Melbourne City
Bulleen climbed to fourth, Melbourne City enjoyed their first win, and Heidelberg United returned to the winners list in Round Six of the Victorian NPLW.
Melbourne City hosted Keilor Park SC in an interesting clash of styles, and the home team began the game confidently against the side that recently beat Victory in this competition.
City’s devotion to passing out from the back and keeping the ball on the deck is showing improvement week to week, even if the wins have been elusive. Keilor looked to pressure the hosts at every opportunity, hoping to force mistakes or encourage them to sacrifice their plan, but to City’s credit, they continued to try and play through the aggressive press.
As they did last round, Keilor looked to score early, Abby Holmes was their most dangerous player, and tested Dali Gorr-Burchmore in goal, but the Junior Matilda’s goalkeeper was equal to the shots.
City dominated general play, and Mary Brown looked dangerous in the attacking third, but Keilor’s defensive structure held them at bay until the 25th minute. Maia Capitanio was waiting at the far post at a corner kick and struck her half volley perfectly for the only goal of the game and City’s first win in the NPLW.
Spring Hills travelled to play Heidelberg United at The Home of The Matildasand took part in another classic match. Seo Jiyoun opened the scoring for the Warriors. Ayo Sasaki’s long, looping ball forward caused confusion in the Spring Hills defence, and Seo was able to tap into an empty net.
Spring Hills were able to draw level through Rachel Gillies corner kick. Her curling delivery snuck in at the near post. The equaliser had seemed like it was coming, but the method was a surprise.
Seo’s 33rd minute effort put Heidelberg back In the lead, Minori Akiyama combined to Sasaki to play Seo through in on goal and restore the home side’s one-goal advantage.
And absurd goal in the dying seconds of added time gave Heidelberg a two-goal cushion going into the beak. Samantha Curwood-Wanger’s persistence on the wing created the chance, and a deflection off Nali Plant send the ball sailing over everyone but under the crossbar.
Spring Hills are always dangerous though, especially when Aleks Sinclair is allowed to turn and attack. Sinclair dribbled along the byline and cut the ball back for it to be half cleared by Heidelberg, but smashed home by Bella Stringfellow to make it 3-2 in the second half.
Spring Hills regained momentum and searched for what might have been a deserved equaliser, but Heidelberg were in an unforgiving mood and made it 4-2 through Sasaki’s penalty to seal their first win of the season so far.
The Preston Lions hosted Alamein FC on Friday night and after a close loss last week, they were eager to make amends.
It was not to be, with Alamein continuing their strong start to the season. Zoe Houghton scored the opening goal, but it was made by the surging run through midfield by Anna Liacopoulos who created space for her teammates, then found Savanna Anastasopoulos out wide. The cross was dangerous and Houghton was first to meet it, scoring in the 37th minute.
Houghton turned provider for the second goal. Preston had gained some control of the game, and were knocking the ball about purposefully, but a turnover resulted in a Houghton’s cross and Anastasopoulos eventually finishing after Emma Runnals kept the chance alive.
Runnalls capped off the win, meeting Summer Laskey’s ball with a leaping header that left Preston with a scoreline that may not have reflected the whole game, but did reflect how clinical Alamein were when they went forward.
Friday’s other game saw Box Hill United jump into first place after a win over Melbourne Victory’s U23’s.
Several key players from Victory were unavailable. With Sienna Saveska and Sienna Techera injured, and others with the senior A-League Women squad. Box Hill had the result effectively secured by half time, even with star forward Erin Keyt on the bench, they had no trouble finding the net. Maho Murakami scored in the 5th minute after a wonderful combination with Juri Kawano.
Kiara Bercelli’s strike from the corner of the penalty box doubled the lead in the 18th minute and Grace Norbury made it three almost immediately after with a long range goal.
A long ball forward found Kawano almost unmarked in attack and she was able to lift the ball over the approaching Natalie Picak to make it 4-0 before the break.
Emily Rutkowski pulled on back for Victory in the 76th minute with a low cross/shot from the left flank, but there was not enough time for Victory to fight their way back into this one.
Essendon Royals provided the slight shock result of the round with a 3-1 win over Avondale FC. Played out in Tarneit, Essendon were away from their traditional base, but still looked right at home. The Royals were the stronger team, and forced some excellent saves out of Brooke Bennett.
Back in the lineup, Kelli McGroarty eventually broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, and then Isabella Sewards added her second of the season in the 36th.
Hannah Wilkinson was fairly isolated in the first half, but her 68th minute finish gave Avondale a lifeline.
McGroarty converted a late penalty to bury any chance of a comeback by the more fancied visitors. Although the star striker delivered again for Essendon, they won this game in midfield, with Ayano Koizumi outstanding in a box-to-box role.
That result meant that Bulleen Lions had a chance to jump into the top four with a win against bottom placed Bentleigh Greens. Bulleen were at home, looking for their fourth win in a row, building form, so the visitors were facing a tough test.
Bentleigh did not shy away from the challenge, and tested Alyssa Dall Oste’ with some good early attempts on goal. But when the first goal went in, Bulleen only became more confident and dynamic.
Tiffany Eliadis got things started finishing off a cleverly worked free-kick routine, then Sarah Cain scored with a slightly fortunate attempt that dropped down from up high and seemed to disorientate the goalkeeper.
Maja Markovski scored from the penalty spot, and then again after meeting a deep cross by Catherine Renehan to bring up her fourth consecutive brace this season.
Markovski completed her hatrick with a powerful free-kick, and substitute Nia Salleh scored one of the best goals of the night with a direct solo run and excellent finish at pace.
Markovski’s left foot drive across the goalkeeper made it 7-0 in the 89th minute and that finally ended the scoring on a night where Bulleen boosted their goal difference and Bentleigh’s took another big hit.
It was the Markovski show on the highlights reel, but Bulleen played a very complete game. The midfield duo of Cain and Olivia Bomford were excellent. They moved the ball forward quickly or ran in into attack themselves, playing at a pace that Bentleigh could not match. Alana Cortellino was uncontainable out wide and Claudia Mihocic provided a strong defensive presence that allowed the home side to attack with confidence.
Next Saturday, Bulleen will host Preston at The Veneto Club as they look to secure their position at the top end of the table.
In appreciation of… Ayano Koizumi.
Who doesn’t love a quick, tough, skilful and slightly diminutive midfielder that can still boss a game?
Koizumi was in excellent form against Avondale, and her performance could help kick-start Essendon’s season. Avondale were most neutral’s favourites for this fixture, and even without Elise Kellond-Knight or Beattie Goad in the squad, they still had a very accomplished lineup.
Koizumi was essential for this win, she was able to retain possession under pressure, snap into tackles and keep the ball moving forward where Kelli McGroarty was lurking dangerously.
It was her best performance of this season, and vindicates the faith that Essendon have shown in the Japanese midfielder.
Koizumi has been with the club since the 2023 season where they were seeking promotion from the VPLW. Essendon won the premiership that year, with Koizumi crucial to their success.
Koizumi did not get to enjoy much of Essendon’s first NPLW campaign in 2024. A serious knee injury ended her season after eight games and what followed was a long road back to now.
She spent last season in the VPLW, regaining fitness and returned to The Royals for 2026 where she has started every game with the exception of Round One.
There is a lot of talent at Essendon, and plenty of X-Factor in attack. Koizumi gives them control, and it looks as though she is getting back to her best. If she can continue to develop her midfield partnership with Bella Sewards, it looks like pairing that could propel Essendon back into trophy contention.
But results aside, it is a pleasure to see Ayano Koizumi playing like she did on the weekend.
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