A howling wind combined with sub-Antarctic conditions provided the backdrop for league leaders Boroondara to make easy work of Bulleen, thanks to a brace from the experienced Amy Jackson and an absolute blinder from Ash Callaghan.
Bulleen won the toss and were keen to take advantage of the blustery conditions. Both teams were like prize fighters and spent the first fifteen minutes of the game trying to work out each other’s game style.
Canadian import Boudreau played a vital part in setting up the play for Boroondara with some fancy footwork, speed and delivery and was aided by Sarah Jacobs who worked diligently in the midfield looking to bring her forwards into the game.
Bulleen had several early long range shots on goal aided by the wind but most sailed over the cross bar comfortably.
Both defences were working hard and it was not until the 26 minute mark when a well weighted cross back from Boudreau on the right wing found the feet of Melbourne Victory stalwart Amy Jackson who had drifted down to the box and she slotted home the first major of the night – against the wind and flow of play.
The game was temporarily halted at the 39 minute mark when Caitlin Friend went down in midfield after a solid clash with Olivia Ellis, but the midfielder soon recovered and came back onto the pitch for Bulleen.
The quality of football was fantastic to watch given the ugly conditions, and both teams displayed good build up through the midfield with the defences being kept busy at both ends.
Right on the final minute of the half, Boudreau had an excellent chance to slot her first goal with a one-on-one against Dolzan, but the latter managed to push her wide and the resultant shot missed the the left hand post to leave Boroondara with just the one goal lead at the half time whistle.
Bulleen came out firing in the early part of the second half, knowing they had work to do to haul back the lead from a well drilled Boroondara outfit.
Cindy Lay streamed through the midfield with a superb solo run but was unable to convert her good work, and then Dani Gudelj cut a pass from the wing to the ever dangerous Beattie Goad, but ‘keeper Anna Lanning stepped up to secure the save for the Eagles.
Like Bulleen in the first half, Boroondara struggled early to manage the pace of the ball coming down wind with several passes missing their targets.
Bulleen pushed hard to level the scores through some very well constructed set plays, including a great run up the midfield by defender Stockdale finding Beattie Goad, whose left foot cracker was tipped over the bar by the Boroondara Eagles ‘keeper.
The Boroondara defensive line were very tight and were up to the challenge, repelling every effort made by Bulleen.
The match see-sawed over the next 30 minutes with both teams chasing the next score, until eventually Boudreau at the 72 minute mark chased a long ball deep into the Boroondara box and managed to hook the ball back from a tracking Bulleen defender.
This manouvre allowed her to centre the pass to Amy Jackson, who nonchalantly caressed the shot past the outstretched hands of Bulleen ‘keeper Cassie Dimovski to give the Eagles a two nil advantage.
With their tails up, Boroondara looked to bury the Bulleen Lions and the final blow can only be described as incredible.
Bulleen’s defensive line had been working hard all night to restrict a dangerous Boroondara outfit and a cross was safely cleared through a header that rebounded well beyond the eighteen yard line.
Up stepped veteran Ash Callaghan, attacking the ball to turn the clearance into a volley and fired an absolute missile that soared into the top left hand corner of the net, stunning everyone – including Ash.
The smile on her dial told the story of the night.
It was a fitting end to the game for the Eagles who deserved their win and cemented their status as top of the table leader at the mid-way mark of the Sporstmart WPL season for 2015.
***
Boroondara Eagles 3 (Jackson 26’, 72’, Callaghan 84’) defeated FC Bulleen Lions 0 at Knox Regional Football Centre.
Boroondara Eagles: 1. Anna Lanning (GK), 16. Emma Littlewood, 5. Sky Jensen, 9. Alex Gummer, 22. Olivia Ellis, 6. Ash Callaghan, 17. Emma Hubbard, 7. Taryng Boudreau, 15. Amy Jackson, 2. Sarah Jacobs, 11. Aliesya Newman,
Substitutes: 3. Ally Gayfer, 31. Rani Cavaretta, 8. Ellen Turner, 10. Emma Gross
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
FC Bulleen Women: 1. Cass Dimovski (GK), 2. Tessa Sernio (C), 3. Isabella Scott, 20. Alex Natoli; 18. Maddy Stockdale, 6. Caitlin Friend, 8. Cindy Lay, 17. Charlee West, 16. Beattie Goad, 22. Emily Dolzan, 19. Dani Gudelj,
Substitutes: 7. Ash Beagley, 10. Emily Coppock, 43. Tori Snelleksz, 14. Jessica Tay, 11. Tayla Mure.
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil