By Kieran Yap 15/4/26
Above: Claudia Mihocic. Bulleen Lions. Photo: Adrian Geremia
South Melbourne stage a resurgence in the standings, Bulleen’s winning streak continues and Box Hill Bounce back in Round 8 of the Victorian NPLW.
Friday night saw three games take place across Melbourne. Avondale FC travelled to face Preston Lions in an important game for both sides, with the home side needing to climb up the table, and the visitors seeking to make up ground with the top four.
Preston had plenty of early momentum, and Hollie Massey came close to opening the scoring. But her lunging effort narrowly missed contact with the low cross into the six yard box.
Charlotte Hrehoresin has been one of the Lions best players this season, and produced an excellent save to stop Sloane Young’s effort from 18 yards out. The home side looked like they had found a break through when Dragana Kljajic send her effort goal bound only to be denied by the woodwork.
Hannah Wilkson responded with a long range effort, but the two sides went into the break goalless.
Preston made it 1-0 in the 62nd minute. Valentine Pursey combined with Massey to put the English forward into the penalty box. Her shot across goal left Brooke Bennett with no chance.
To the frustration of the home side, Avondale found an equaliser just minutes later. Young was at the back post to tuck home Sidney Allen’s inswinging cross after Elise Kellond-Knight’s corner was only half cleared.
The result keeps Preston in the bottom three for now, and Avondale remain in mid table but only three points off fourth spot.
Keilor Park SC responded to a two-game losing streak with a close win away to Bentleigh Greens. Abby Holmes raced onto a long ball in the 16th minute to score for Keilor Park. She got as close to goal as possible before sliding the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper. In the wintery conditions, it was an excellent start.
Holmes made it 2-0 in the second half, bringing up her brace with another terrific finish. Bentleigh turned the ball over deep in defence and outnumbered, but Holmes made it memorable with a curling, chipped finish to double their lead.
Persistence paid off for the home side and they found a lifeline in the 70th minute. Madina Ali’s hold up play and pass on the turn presented Paige Clemenson with an opening, and she did not waste the chance. Putting the ball into the top corner from the angle.
Despite that boost, Bentleigh were unable to find an equaliser, and Keilor Park were able to hold on for their second win of the season.
In Friday’s final match, Box Hill United hosted the dangerous but slightly under-strength Spring Hills FC. The visitors were missing star forward Margaux Clarke and Box Hill were coming off a rare loss in Round Seven to Boroondara Eagles.
The home side were back to their best in this game. The reigning Champions’ passing game was in full effect as they patiently worked their way up the pitch to find Erin Keyt. With a feinted shot, and a quick change of direction, Keyt was in on goal and scored her eighth of the season.
An aggressive press created the second goal. Kiara Bercelli won the ball in attack and slipped the ball wide to Juri Kawano to finish as half time approached.
Keyt made it 3-0 early in the second half. Some good work in the wing by Bercelli and a fortunate bounce gave Keyt all the space she needed to lash home her second of the night.
Bercelli finally got on the scoresheet herself with a 76th minute goal to cap off an outstanding individual performance.
It was the best of the lot. A rocket from distance and a considerable angle, that took everybody by surprise, and left the lunging Jenna Ibrahim with little chance of stopping it.
Box Hill climb back to second on the ladder with this win, although Boroondara have one game in hand after their match against Melbourne Victory was postponed.
On to Saturday’s games and South Melbourne were eager to build on their midweek win over Boroondara. A Grace Taranto goal was all that separated the teams on Wednesday and South would now have to contend with an always challenging Alamein FC.
It was the visitors who looked the most dangerous early. Alamein’s Summer Laskey was causing problems for the South Melbourne defence, but they could not find the breakthrough while they had momentum.
South eventually settled and were ever dangerous on the counter attack. When it seemed certain that first half would end goalless, Raquel Derales’s deft finish gave the home side the lead with seconds remaining.
Tyla Jay Vlajnic’s perfectly directed free kick gave South a second goal. McKaela Schmelzer met the ball at full pace and with a powerful leap and buried it into the back of the net.
Alamein goalkeeper Olivia Cowan was collateral damage in the goal, and was subbed out in the 64th minute.
Nikki Furukawa’s 85th minute strike sealed the result to give South Melbourne their second win in three days.
Kelli McGroarty was the star of the show as Essendon Royals defeated Melbourne City 5-1.
It took only four minutes for the home team to score the first goal. McGroarty stole the ball near half way and shot from distance for a spectacular opener.
Mikaela Jurcic’s long ball forward created the second goal. McGroarty still had plenty to do, and hit the ball with ferocity to beat Dali Gorr Burchmore at the near post.
City fought their way back in. Kaya Jugovic’s determined run down the wing ended with a cross that was laid back to Mary Brown. Her low, first time finish was swept into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
McGroarty had her hatrick early in the second half. Bella Sewards and Bronte Peel combined to whip the ball in to the goal face, and the American striker met it at the n ear post to restore the Royals two goal lead.
A 64th minute penalty kick completed her day, and put the result beyond any remaining doubt. In this tightly contested season, that huge win takes Essendon to fifth, and hot on the tail of Alamein, who sit only a point ahead.
The final game of the weekend was between Heidelberg United and the visiting Bulleen Lions. This match carried a special meaning for both sides as the first Keely Lockhart Memorial Cup. The much loved and forever missed forward played for both sides in her career, and a moment was taken after the match for a trophy to be presented by the Lockhart family and for both clubs to remember her.
Bulleen continued their impressive winning streak which now extends to six matches. Maja Markovsi’s pass put Olivia Bomford into the penalty box, and her ball across the face of goal was tapped in by Tiff Eliadis for Bulleen’s opener.
Markovski made it 2-0 from the penalty spot just minutes later. The foul was disputed by Heidelberg, but Markovski’s finish left no doubt.
Heidelberg pulled one back before half time. A corner kick was not clared by Bulleen and Jiyoun Seo found the back of the net after two Warrior’s shots were blocked in the buildup.
The comeback was short lived though, and Markovski soon restored the two-goal cushion. Nia Salleh’s quick feet helped her cut inside and her pass into attack was cleverly dummied by Eliadis to present Markovski with a relatively easy finish.
In a mirrored effort of the opening goal, Eliadis turned provider for Bomford with a cutback from the opposite side of goal. Bomford sill had plenty to do to score and managed to get the shot away on the turn and underneath the onrushing Mia Bailey. 4-1.
Ashley Jordan scored Bulleen’s fifth and her first since returning to Australian football. She outmuscled her Heidelberg opponent to win possession and find space in the penalty box, and curled the ball into the top fasr corner.
Eliadis made it six with her second of the night. Claudia Mihocic started the move with a clever turn in the last line of defence, and Sarah Cain’s ball over the top found Eliadis in acres of room.
Her run eventually led her wide of the goal, but she was able to find the gap at the near post to finally end the scoring for the evening.
The result sees Bulleen rise to first place on the ladder. Although Boroondara have a game in hand and are only two points, behind, this has been a remarkable reversal of the first two rounds.
Box Hill are only second on goal difference, and Alamein will be hoping to return to winning ways in Round Nine, when the two teams clash at Dorothy Laver reserve.
In Appreciation of Sarah Cain
It is weird to say that Sarah Cain is underrated? She’s a former NPLW Gold Medallist with A-League Women experience and captaining the current league leaders, but it still feels like she flies under the radar.
Bulleen are not lacking for talent. Even without the explosive Alana Cortellino, they were still able to defeat Heidelberg 6-1. Tiffany Eliadis was dynamic and creative, Olivia Bomford has continued her excellent form since arriving from South Melbourne and Maja Markovski did what she usually does and found the back of the net.
But at the centre of everything is Cain. The Bulleen captain is constantly moving the ball forward, linking the defence and attack with quick decisions and an enviable passing range.
Cain does not hesitate on the ball, she picks the best option seemingly before she receives the ball, and repeatedly launches Bulleen into attack. The midfield general is also tough under physical pressure and has the pace to create space for herself in the centre of the pitch if she needs to get clear of a marker.
Her partnership with Bomford has provided Bulleen with two midfielders that can dominate box-to-box, and developing that connection so quickly has been a big reason behind the Lion’s resurgence.
That combination also allows Eliadis to be used in an attacking role where her experience and ability has been crucial in creating opportunities for Bulleen’s attack.
At 26, Cain is nearing the peak of her powers, and still seems to be getting better with each season. Cain is no quiet achiever, she is a lot of fun to watch and obviously highly rated at her club, but she did not figure in many pre-season Gold Medal predictions yet has been dominant in a strong side.
Is Sarah Cain underrated? It probably doesn’t matter, she has been outstanding.
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