By Kieran Yap 8/7/26
Above: Roisin Murphy is mobbed by teammates after scoring
Avondale FC secured a crucial win, Bulleen maintain their hold on top spot, and Boroondara show they aren’t finished yet in Round 19 of the NPLW Vic
It has been a week of big matches and mixed fortune for The Essendon Royals, after a triumphant quarter final win in the NIKE FC Cup midweek against Alamein FC, they faced a trip away to Avondale FC.
Like their Round 18 encounter with Bulleen, this was another high stakes match. Anything less than a win would see them fall from first place, and Avondale are currently the league’s in-form side. The end result saw the home side win 4-2 in an entertaining game.
Essendon looked stronger at the start of the match. They pressed high up the pitch with impressive intensity. An early turnover created an opening for Kelli McGroarty, but the shot narrowly flew over the bar.
Elise Kellond-Knight tried her luck from a free kick to Avondale, but Essendon goalkeeper Zara Board was able to tip the ball away.
That relief was short lived. A well worked corner provided Isabella Accardo with the opportunity to nod in the opener. Avondale were 1-0 up after 10 minutes.
Sloane Young doubled the lead before the break and despite Essendon’s early energy, they looked to have a mountain to climb in the second half.
That task looked even more difficult just two minutes after the re-start. A long kick from goalkeeper Brooke Bennett was sent straight down the middle and Hannah Wilkinson raced onto it to make it 3-0 to Avondale FC.
Showing impressive spirit, Essendon fought back. Bronte Peel’s cutback set up Ayano Koizumi to pull one back for the visitors. Amy Parkinson’s long run and composed pass put Kelli McGroarty in all the space she needed to score her 22nd of the campaign.
Avondale sealed the win with Wilkinson’s brace in the 74th minute and those at The Calabria Club could breathe a sigh of relief having survived Essendon’s surge and restored the two-goal buffer.
Box Hill United enjoyed a comfortable win over Melbourne Victory at The Home of The Matildas with a 5-1 result to the visiting Champions.
Leyla Hussein’s olimpico provided the hosts with a 1-0 advantage in the 12th minute, but Box hill quickly clicked into gear, scoring three times before the break to take control of the game.
Laura Pickett, Kiara Bercelli and Rhianna Pollicina added their names to the scoresheet. Pickett was unmarked at the near post, to control and finish the ball in from the short corner routine.
Maho Muraksmi and Pollicina combined to set up Bercelli with an easy close range finish to give Box Hill the lead. A close range toe poke from the Box Hill number 10 made it 3-1 to the visitors.
Erin Keyt was found in space by Holly Murray’s long pass and rounded Chloe Mckenzie to make it 4-1 in the 57th minute and Pickett secured a rare defenders brace with another unmarked finish late in the game.
The win keeps Box Hill level on points with first placed Bulleen Lions. Only one goal separates the two pace-setters.
Two goals to Summer Laskey gave Alamein Fc a 2-0 win over Preston Lions at Dorothy Laver Reserve. It only takes a half chance for Alamein’s American forward to score and she was set up beautifully by Emma Runnal’s slide rule pass in the 5th minute.
Chelsea Blisset’s low cross set up Laskey for a second in the 16th minute. Alamein’s ability to move the ball quickly was threatening to cause a blowout, but Preston settled and kept them from adding to those early goals.
Fortunately for the home side, they defended the lead well and started the month with an important win to keep them in touch with the finals places.
Goals from Emilia Ingles, Jessia Au and Geogia Henderson earned Keilor Park a 3-1 win at home against Melbourne City.
Ingles leapt highest and with impressive athleticism to connect with a looping corner to score with an eighth minute header. Au made it 2-0 after burying a low shot after City partially cleared a free-kick from wide.
Melbourne City’s young A-League striker Kaya Jugovic made it 2-1 with a fantastic solo effort. The Junior Matilda’s weaving run had the defenders dizzy before her slightly deflected effort evaded the Keilor keeper.
With City striving to stage a comeback, Keilor responded. Henderson reacted fasted to a loose ball from a long free kick. She thrashed her effort home from an unsaveably close range to seal the victory for the home side.
Bentleigh Greens gave Bulleen Lions a scare with the top placed side running out 1-0 winners at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. Bulleen dominated general play and scoring opportunities, but could not find a way past an outstanding Melissa Barbieri in goal for the home side.
It took another sparkling effort from Danella Butrus to send Bulleen players home happy. The winger cut in from the left side and with players calling for the cross and defenders set up to defend one, she instead opted to shoot low into the far corner.
It was going to take something special to beat Barbieri, and Butrus was able to provide it to help Bulleen to another important win as any dropped points become costly.
Friday night’s other game was also a 1-0 affair. Spring Hills FC defeated Heidelberg United in a fairly frenetic match that was low on chances but high on intensity.
Roisin Murphy supplied the winner with what is likely to be the goal of the round. Her curling, swerving long range effort in the 32nd minute was all that separated the teams at the final whistle.
Heidelberg United had the majority of the play and momentum after conceding, but Spring Hills were well organized, condensed the middle of the pitch and dropped quickly to prevent The Warriors quick forwards from getting behind tht3ee defence.
Boroondara Eagles’s 1-0 win over South Melbourne completed the round, with The Eagles well rested after a delayed game last weekend and South coming off a testing but successful mid-week game in the Nike FC Cup. Boroondara took full advantage, playing a fast paced style from kickoff, but with the ball pinging about rapidly, neither side could really gain control of the match. Emma Vane’s composure was able to create space and time for her teammates and she released Priya Savarirayan on the right flank. With no space behind, the Boroondaras winger cut the ball back and Coco Parker moved into the space to hook the shot across her body and into goal.
It was the only goal of the game, but Boroondara should have had at least one more. Emily Lewis surged clear and looked certain to score, but Geo Candy did well to close down the space and Grace Taranto provided her second desperate goal line clearance in seven days.
It was a costly loss for South Melbourne who dropped to fifth on the table. They were leapfrogged by an ominous looking Avondale team and on Saturday will hope to kickstart their title challenge when Spring Hills head to Lakeside in Round 20.
In Appreciation of Roisin Murphy’s wonergoal
It was always going to take something special to beat Heidelberg United and their goalkeeper Mia Bailey. Spring Hills FC’s winger Roisin Murphy delivered it.
Heildelberg had a lot of the ball, most of the attacks and the majority of the game on their terms on Friday night. Ayana Aoyagi in the Spring Hills goal made six saves and the defence faced 21 attempts.
By contrast, Spring Hills had only six shots on goal with only two on target, but made them count. The woodwork was rattled twice and Murphy scored the only goal of the game.
Murphy did everything right in the buildup. Lauren Antonello won the ball back for the home side and played the ball immediately to Murphy. The winger immediately took off toward goal. She weaved in board, and looked to be assessing her options, perhaps expecting an overlapping run to her right.
The Heidelberg United defence appeared to assume the same. they backed off, covering the forward passes. Murphy took a few touches inboard and her shot from around 25 yards dipped over the backpedaling Bailey for the only score of the game.
It was a terrific finish. One of the best of the season and clearly the best of the round. Murphy has been one of Spring Hills most consistent performers this season. The hardworking and versatile wide player never puts in a bad performance, and she deserved this goal to deliver her team the win.
Three games this week were decided by a solitary goal and this was the most deserving winner. A truly stunning effort from a player who usually makes a difference to her team, but not so often on the scoresheet. This was her first of the season, and it could be the goal of the year.
That crucial strike gives Tom Markovski’s side some distance between themselves and Heidelberg on the ladder. This game was essentially a six pointer. Although the back four did a fantastic job of nullifying Heidelberg’s attacking plan, Murphy’s strike will long be remembered, and rightfully so.
It was a brilliant goal, so keep Spring Hill’s season alive.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Threads: @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 