In a hard fought battle, where pride was the major stakeholder, FC Bulleen Lions were able to clinch the three points over Sandringham SC 1-0 on a bitterly cold Monday night at Kingston Heath.
The solitary goal came from Bulleen forward Em Coppock at the 18 minute mark of the first half and although both sides had additional chances to score, neither were able to add to the miserly score line.
Bulleen – injuries – were forced into a re-shuffle of players and an adjustment to the line-up before the whistle sounded.
Sandringham had a game plan and came out with purpose early, pressing the opposition defensive line and searching for any mistakes early.
The game had an immediate intensity from the first whistle that saw on-ball pressure applied by both teams across the park, indicating a real contest lay ahead.
Dani Gudelj was seconded into the right-back position and immediately made her presence felt with some early runs up the right wing and some explosive long range shots that could have seen Bulleen on the score board very early into the match.
At the other end, Sandringham’s stalwart and go-to forward Emma Runnalls looked ready to tackle the Bulleen defensive line and had some creative opportunities thwarted by the likes of Emily Dolzan and Maddie Stockdale early in the half.
At the 18th minute mark, amid the flurry of overhead traffic from Moorabbin Airport, Dani Gudelj was landing on her own runway and again pushed forward up the right wing, placing one of her right foot crosses into the box where Coppock sealed a well-executed header past the outstretched hands of Sandringham ‘keeper Ingrid Phillippe.
Bulleen had several ensuing opportunities to close the half out, but were unable to finish the good work from the buildups of their midfielders.
Likewise, Sandringham was looking very dangerous in patches of play with Emma Runnalls, Nicola Westwood and Stephanie Tanti all unable to apply the necessary finishing for the home team.
Both sets of forwards were left frustrated by staunch performances from their respective defensive lines; both of which were very good in the opening half.
Sandringham’s keeper Ingrid Phillippe and Bulleen’s Cassie Dimovski were also both very much in the game, making several acrobatic saves at both ends to prevent scoring opportunities and further frustrate the forwards.
McGuinness knew Sandringham would come out probing for the equaliser in the second half.
Quigley off and Scott on was his first change of the night as he looked for extra pace to circumvent the expected deluge from the hosts.
Sandringham coach Deborah Nichols responded bringing young Jamie Brown into play with her poise and skill on display up the right wing.
As the half unfolded, players begun to tire and Bulleen took ascendency, switching play out of defence to create space and run up the wings.
For twenty five minutes, the game vacillated from defence to defence with both midfields turning over possession on numerous occasions as the pressure intensified on the ball.
Alex Natoli, Ash Beagley and Bella Scott were exerting themselves on the game for Bulleen while Tanti, Steph Parton and the impressive Annabelle Gibney produced equivalent drive for Sandringham.
As the game progressed deep into time, there was a sense Sandringham weren’t done yet.
The best opportunity in the match for Sandringham came in the 86 minute mark when a through ball found its way to Runnalls who rounded the charging Dimovski and finally cut back past another defender before launching a stinging shot on goal that hit the right upright and ricocheted back into play for Bulleen to clear.
That was the moment – highlighted by a collective sigh from supporters all around the ground.
Bulleen held on to their clean sheet for the night and secured the three points restoring pride in their penultimate encounter for 2015, while it was a case of close but no cigar for Sandy.
Neither team will take place in the finals race in September but both can hold their heads high in a excellent display of women’s football in very trying conditions.
***
Sandringham SC 0 defeated by FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Coppock 18′) at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex [HT: 0-1]
Sandringham SC: 1. Ingrid Phillippe (GK), 4. Emma Robers, 6. Stephanie Parton, 7. Kirstie Shearing, 8. Nicola Westwood, 9. Emma Runnalls, 10. Stephanie Tanti, 18. Sienna Fogarty, 19. Annabelle Gibney, 20. Hannah Stuart, 28. Emily Morris-Krause.
Substitutes: 5. Jamie Brown, 11. Lucyna Kapusta, 12. Eliza Gleadell, 16. Elisabeth Robers, 21. Niki Cook.
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
FC Bulleen Lions: 1. Cassie Dimovski (GK), 2. Tessa Sernio (C), 5. Maddie Stockdale, 7. Ashleigh Beagley, 8. Cindy Lay, 9. Lia Privatelli, 10. Emily Coppock, 19. Daniela Gudelj, 20. Alex Natoli, 21. Rachel Quigley, 22. Emily Dolzan,
Substitutes: 3. Isabella Scott, 4. Nadia Nieuwhof, 11. Tayla Mure, 43. Tori Snelleksz
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil