Bundoora United have snuck a 2-1 win past Sandringham Soccer Club on Saturday afternoon, after the hosts were pushed all the way in a cagey contest.
After scoring against the run of play in the first half via Nicola Westwood, Sandringham worked hard to preserve the lead, but were eventually undone by a Louisa Bisby equaliser and a late Rachel Alonso winner.
The home side were quick to establish a grip on the game, with a slick passage of play involving Bisby, Enza Barilla and Alonso ending in a shot by a latter that was held by ‘keeper Ingrid Philippe.
The hosts were menacing in the box, and when a clearance fell to Elly Curo, her delivery to Bisby was passed on to Alonso whose dangerous shot was deflected away for a corner.
Down the other end, a Claudia Fruscalzo slip allowed Annabelle Gibney through, but her dangerous ball across the face was crucially cleared away by Monique Ianella.
Bundoora thought they had a goal when the right-back then marauded up the wing to whip a cross into the box that was eventually tapped in by Curo, but the linesman spotted an alleged offside in the build-up, sending the home side into howls of protest.
In another half-chance for Sandringham, Kristie Shearing tried an effort from distance, but Beth Mason-Jones showed safe hands to hold onto the powerful strike.
In the 39th minute the unthinkable happened for Bundoora, as Sienna Fogarty’s set-piece was cleared back to her, skipping past one defender and delivering into the box for Westwood to bundle over the goal for the unlikely lead.
With half time approaching both sides exchanged blows as the tempo rose – Annabelle Gibney had a shot saved before Gulcan Koca’s lobbed pass was flicked on by Curo to Barilla, who was also denied.
In the second half Curo had the first chance of many for Bundoora, though her saved header was followed by a collision with Philippe, leaving the tall striker feeling ginger for a few moments.
The early pressure told as Barilla found Ianella overlapping again – a hallmark of her day – whose expert dribble toward the box was followed by a dangerous delivery that was palmed away by the ‘keeper, only to fall into the path of Bisby who who headed the ball in from point blank range.
Alonso then had two clear-cut chances to equalise – one from the right side which drew an amazing save from Philippe, while another from the left that flashed agonsingly wide.
Sandy had a chance on the counter when Gibney broke through and played a square ball to Westwood, whose effort was scuppered.
Another dangerous corner kick by Fogarty resulted in a scramble between many bodies in the box, ending in a shot desperately cleared off the line.
As an anxious Bundoora continued to push, in amongst the cries of frustration, Barilla – who was involved in most of the hosts’ attacking build up on the day – conjured up some fancy footwork and a neat layoff to Alonso, whose first shot was denied by the ‘keeper in what looked like another missed opportunity for the home side.
However, Alonso pounced on the rebound to trickle the ball over the line and send the hosts into raptures and a collective sigh of relief.
Bundoora United 2 (Bisby 55′, Alonso 83′) defeated Sandringham Soccer Club 1 (Westwood 36′) at Hillsview Recreation Reserve
Bundoora United: 1. Bethany MASON-JONES, 2. Monique IANELLA, 10 Gulcan KOCA, 13. Claudia FRUSCASZO, 9. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 16. Louisa BISBY, 7. Enza BARILLA, 23. Jess PITTS, 11. Jess AU, 14. Rachel ALONSO, 8. Ellvana CURO
Substitute(s): 18. Hailee MESITI, 20. Alyssa BATTICCIOTTO, 6. Bianca ROSANO, 21. Claudia DIMASI, 3. Emma HECKENBERG
Yellow Card(s): Bisby 43′, Pitts 77′
Red Card(s): Nil
Sandringham SC: 1. Ingrid PHILLIPE (GK), 23. Emily MORRIS-KRAUSE, 6. Stephanie PARTON, 11. Lucy KAPUSTA, 4. Emma ROBERS, 7. Kristie SHEARING, 18. Sienna FOGARTY, 19. Annabelle GIBNEY, 8. Nicola WESTWOOD, 12. Eliza GLEADELL, 10. Steph TANTI
Substitute(s): 2. Lauren DIDUSZKO, 21. Nikki COOK, 27. Simone KENNY, 3. Lily O’Brien, 9. Emma Runnals, 50. Lois GREENWOOD)
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil