Weird scenes this week as a big clash between Sandringham and Heidelberg had to be postponed on Monday night due to lighting issues.
This week also saw a glut of midfield nominations, with players in the central third dominating proceedings.
If you’re supersticious, 0, 1, and 3 are your lottery numbers for the week, with two 1-nil scorelines, two 3-nils, and a 3-1 for good measure.
To top it off, Hubbard scored three goals for Boroondara. Here is your Round 21 Team of the Week.
Formation: 3-5-2
GK: Anna Lanning (Boroondara Eagles)
The Boroondara ‘keeper did a great job to keep a clean sheet amidst an NTC onslaught in the middle stages of the second half. She made several crucial saves to keep her side on top of the contest.
RB: Marianna Anthony (South Melbourne WFC)
Solid all night for South Melbourne both in defence and when going forward, overlapping expertly and getting back in time to prevent Box Hill from hitting on the counter. Letizia Sammut’s fortuitous 83rd minute goal prevented a clean sheet, though Anthony wasn’t at fault for the goal.
CB: Michelle Duffy (Cairnlea FC)
Cairnlea have had a difficult season, languishing near relegation for some time now. However, they experienced some cheer on the weekend, beating Ashburton and leapfrogging them in the safety zone. Duffy led the defence, cleaning up everything that came her way and contributed immensely to the clean sheet.
LB: Shaunna Murray (Casey Comets)
Often got forward in the contest with a few forays up the flank. The ball seemed glued to the left side of the pitch in the first half, and she linked well with the Casey forwards. Murray did her job defensively too, rarely beaten on her side.
RM: Tayla Vlaeminck (Casey Comets)
Casey’s wide players struck a formidable partnership against Monbulk. The table-proppers failed to contain the 15-year-old all night as she tore each wing apart. Contributed to the contest with a well-taken goal and assist. Loved a good burst forward, showing off her pace and a precise right foot.
CM: Natalie Martineau (South Melbourne WFC)
Given too much time on the right side of midfield, Martineau sliced open Box Hill’s defence with two assists. Dangerous and precise going forward, the home side failed to contain her properly and she made them pay.
CM: Jess Pitts (FFV U17 Girls)
Best on ground for NTC on the losing side, Pitts looked extremely dangerous going forward. Had a couple of opportunities to pull one back for her side to no avail, but worked hard all night and was unlucky not to be rewarded.
CM: Cindy Lay (Bulleen Lions)
Lay particularly stood up in the first half when Bulleen had their backs right up against the wall. Offered resilience to a midfield that was being overrun, helping fight back the ascendency. Was calm under pressure, and generally clean on the ball.
LM: Angela Durston-Ryan (Casey Comets)
Vlaeminck’s partner in crime on the other wing was also dangerous and netted a goal for Casey. At times the contest was scrappy through the middle so wingers were the perfect outlet, and Durston-Ryan was involved in the thick of the action.
ST: Rhea Schreuder (South Melbourne WFC)
No Tiff Eliadis, no worries for South Melbourne as Schreuder took over the goalscoring duties from the Golden Boot leader, who is now at Melbourne Victory. Made the most of her teammates’ good deliveries into the box in the first half, netting a brace to put Box Hill away early.
ST: Emma Hubbard (Boroondara Eagles)
Without a doubt player of the round with a hat-trick – all of Boorondara’s goals on the night – Hubbard was a standout performer. Had an extraordinary night out, dominating from the get-go, getting on the end of opportunities and finishing well.
Substitutes:
Jessica Au (South Melbourne Women’s)
Another good performer for South Melbourne, Au provided an assist for Schreuder, and assisted Martineau’s assist to Fonua with a clever ball in behind Box Hill’s defence. Unlucky to miss out on a starting berth in the XI in her final game for South Melbourne.
Kara Theodorou (Cairnlea FC)
The midfielder showed exactly what she’s capable of when hungry to win. Having been at the club since she was a little kid, she put in a captain’s performance. Pushing forward to join the attack and dropping off to help the back four to win the ball, it was a true box-to-box performance.
Laura Athanasiou (Cairnlea FC)
Athanasiou earned her her spot on the bench after a blinder against Ashy, to which nothing got past her on the right wing. A good defensive performance from the left-back.
Dani Gudelj (Bulleen Lions)
Was an outlet on the wing in a sloppy game where not many players stood out. Was impressive on the wing, quick on her toes and not afraid to dribble and take players on.