Heidelberg United have snatched a point in their Friday night WPL match-up, holding off a late surge from Box Hill United to finish 1-1 at Wembley Park
An opening goal to Heidelberg’s Michelle Verzi had the visitors in dreamland in their chase for finals football, only for Emily Hulbert to fire in an equaliser with 10 minutes left on the clock.
The home side were under the pump from the first kick, surviving a Heidelberg attack within seconds of the start of play.
A few quick touches saw a snap-shot across goal come within a foot of sneaking inside the upright, and had it been on target, Box Hill shot-stopper Melissa Barbieri would have been helpless to prevent it.
Heidelberg continued their positive start with some formidable build up throughout the first half, gaining another opportunity to go ahead with a quick breakthrough, but Barbieri was up to the task.
As the first period continued, the balance of play began to swing, with end-to-end play keeping those brave enough to endure the cold conditions entertained.
Just as the first half came to a close, Heidelberg were awarded a free-kick a few yards outside the box but were unable to make anything of the opportunity.
As the second-half began, it brought with it more rain and more chances for both teams.
After a mere three minutes, Annie Remman came close to sending Box Hill ahead, but her effort didn’t pack the punch required to beat Heidelberg’s Cristine Fonua in goal.
A few minutes later and Hulbert came inches from opening her account only to be denied by the upright.
But it was Heidelberg who would break the deadlock after Box Hill failed to clear a dangerous ball; captain Verzi popped up to sneak a finish past Barbieri.
Less than 10 minutes later, Box Hill replied after a superb cut-back had Hulbert in the perfect position to fire a scorcher past Fonua, restoring parity to the contest.
With time in short supply, both teams scrambed to find the winner, and just as the final whistle blew, Madelaine Richardson attempted a long-range effort from a dead-ball situation, but the shot failed to change the outcome.
Both teams would’ve felt like they could have taken the points after a close battle, but neither could find that winning touch to edge out the other.
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Box Hill United 1 (Hulbert 80’) drew with Heidelberg United 1 (Verzi 67’) at Wembley Park [HT: 0-0]
Box Hill United: 11. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 32. Penny BAKOPOULOS, 21. Cristina CARDACI, 7. Emily HULBERT, 14. Georgia KOUTROUVELIS, 4. Madelaine RICHARDSON, 3. Elise KYRGIOS, 12. Angie RASSIAS, 18. Annie REMMAN, 5. Sarah WALSH, 2. Renee ZAIRIS
Substitutes: 15. Hayley GEURTS, 19. Selena KARLSON, 23. Alexandra AMORE, 17. Kate FOTOPOULOS, 8. Maia HEYSEN
Heidelberg United: 21. Cristine FONUA (GK), 2. Demi MIHALOUDIS, 4. Michelle VERZI, 6. Laura PHILLIPS, 10. Julia NICOLACI, 14. Holly TSALIKIDIS, 15. Lisa FONUA, 18. Sadie MURPHY, 38. Christy ZWOLSKI, 45. Elise MAMANU-GRAY, 50. Anisa GUAJARDO
Substitutes: 5. Elly TORRE, 9. Belinda PANNELLA, 13. Adelyn AYTON, 22. Ellie GAVALAS, 40. Hannah RYAN