Image: Sandra Lorca Rebolledo
It’s been a good week for Calder United and Southern United, both of whom secured important double NPLW Victoria/Team App Cup wins to move into the semi-finals of the latter. Box Hill was the other club to move into the semis with a 1-0 win over the weekend’s beyonblue Bash victors Galaxy United, while Bulleen Lions enjoyed a huge 6-0 league win over Bayside.
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NPLW
At Lakeside, South Melbourne were looking good value against Box Hill when Alex Gummer’s first goal of the season had the hosts 1-0 up at the break. But Bobby McGuinness’ side clawed the deficit back in the second courtesy of Kristina Hall’s late equaliser, with scores remaining 1-1 at the final whistle.
Heidelberg United hosted Galaxy United in the beyondblue Bash, which raised plenty of money and awareness for mental health. On the pitch, the hosts took the lead in the second half via Sarah Richardson. However, the lead didn’t last as substitutes Lulu Al-Huneidi and Britt Elsen got the job done, propelling the visitors to a come-from-behind victory.
It was a straightforward fixture for Calder United against the Senior NTC when Cindy Lay scored the opener and finished with a brace in the first half. Mindy Barbieri scored her first goal for Calder –against her former team – while Kasha Meyer headed in Rachel Alonso’s corner for the sealer. The result keeps Calder on top, equal with Galaxy but with a game in hand.
At HA Smith Reserve Southern United continued their strong run of form with a fourth consecutive league win, defeating Alamein FC 1-0. The sole goal came when Mikhaila Bowden’s 13th minute long-range free kick came back off the woodwork for Rebecca Saber to finish easily. The win takes Southern into the top four and just one point off third-placed South Melbourne.
Everything went right for Bulleen Lions – especially in the second half – against Bayside United in a 6-0 triumph. Keely Lockhart had Bulleen Lions 1-0 up at half time the floodgates opened after the break. Brittany Dudley-Smith and Em Coppock were at the double, with Lia Privitelli also adding to the scoresheet.
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Team App Cup
Calder United made it 11 unanswered goals combined for the week with a mid-week cup rout over Heidelberg United. Cindy Lay continued her incredible form by scoring the opener and finishing up with a hat trick. Rachel Alonso added a brace in the first half while Mindy Barbieri and Emma Robers also contributed to the scoresheet.
At Lakeside, South Melbourne let a lead slip again as Southern United stormed home from 0-2 down to claim a dramatic extra-time win 3-2. Leah Scroggie and Tiff Eliadis had the hosts 2-0 up in the second half, the latter scoring against her old side. But Courtney Hueston and Candela Ferreyra Bas had the visitors on level terms before the 90 minutes was up, with Rebecca Saber again the goalscoring hero for the week, netting in the 101st minute.
Box Hill United also moved into the semis of the cup with a 1-0 win over Galaxy United, who couldn’t repeat the trend to secure the midweek double. Elaina Vatcky’s sole goal did the job for Bokkie. The only clash remaining is Keilor Park against Bulleen Lions to determine the last semi-finallist.