Alamein FC and Bayside United claimed wins to wrap up Round 3 action of the Team App Cup this week.
Larissa Crummer’s solitary goal helped her side to a narrow 1-0 win over Calder United, while Bayside went all the way against Southern United, winning 5-3 on penalties after the sides ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
The other midweek fixture saw Bulleen Lions bounce back from their draw against Southern on the weekend with a 3-1 win over senior NTC.
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Calder had an early chance cleared off the line after Melissa Maizels parried a Tyla-Jay Vlajnic free kick into the woodwork.
Yet it was Larissa Crummer who, perhaps predictably, made the difference with a touch of class, latching onto a ball over the top to lob Beth Mason Jones in goal for her first strike for the club.
Calder pushed for the equaliser but only came as close as Gulcan Koca’s shot being cleared off the line in the 84th minute.
Crummer’s winner proves a good warm-up for the national team as she jets off to a Matildas camp.
Buoyed by a couple of promising draws in the league, Southern went into the clash between 8th and 9th on the NPLW ladder with some renewed confidence.
However it was dashed early via a shot from Courtney Conrad outside the box into the top corner of the net that left the keeper with no chance.
The visitors continued to apply pressure and eventually equalised when Bayside couldn’t clear their lines from a corner and Rebecca Saber pounced.
A taxing added time saw no winner, so both sides headed to the penalty spot, where the hosts triumphed.
The equation sees four NPLW and four state league clubs remain, including reigning cup winners Boroondara Eagles and WPL champions South Melbourne, while Moreland Zebras continue their dream run after seeing off Yarraville.
State League 3: Moreland Zebras
State League 1: Boroondara Eagles, Melbourne University, South Melbourne
NPLW: Alamein FC, Bayside United, Bullen Lions, Heidelberg United
The draw for the next round takes place on Monday 16 May.
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In the league, a depleted Bulleen returned to winning ways against the NTC.
Without the likes of Scott, Natoli, Dolzan or Gudelj, Ricardo Martinez handed starts to Esther Honybun and Natasha Lusi in the midweek fixture, with Jamie Pollock starting at centre-back.
After drawing against Southern United on Sunday, the situation was looking equally bleak when MelindaJ Barbieri played through Sofia Sakalis who made no mistake with the finish.
However just two minutes a mistake at the back undid the good work and allowed the ever-dangerous Taryne Boudreau to find the equaliser.
The second half belonged to Bulleen, with Lia Privitelli tapping in at the back post from a corner, before another corner from Taryne Boudreau wasn’t dealt with and was bundled over by Jamie Pollock.
The result leaves Bulleen back on top of the ladder albeit having played one more game than next-best Calder United, with Galaxy United and Alamein rounding out the top four.
Image: Graeme Furlong