League leaders Boroondara Eagles were unable to assert themselves against Bulleen Lions outfit playing their final ever Women’s Premier League fixture last Saturday.
A wonderful early goal from Boroondara’s midfielder Alex Gummer was negated by a sublime response from Bulleen’s forward Lia Privitelli – both goals coming in a fast and furious first half at the Veneto Club.
Plenty of quality was missing from both line-ups; Cindy Lay, Caitlin Friend, Liana Iaconis, Charlee West and Ashleigh Beagley watched their Bulleen teammates from the stands, while Amy Jackson – suspected broken hand – and Kayla Michaels – suspension – both missed out for the visitors.
The first fifteen minutes saw a dominant Bulleen play some impressive offensive football, pushing hard on Boroondara’s defensive line led by the vivacious Privitelli and the hard-working Beattie Goad.
Privitelli – only recently returning from a year long head injury – made her presence felt immediately with some vibrant solo efforts on the right wing.
Goad – returning from her tour of China with the U19 Young Matilda’s AFC Qualifiers campaign – had the first opportunity to register a shot on goal, and was supplied by Privitelli on the four minute mark, but was unable to penetrate the armoury of Boroondara’s keeper Anna Lanning.
Another opportunity came minutes later when a cross found the feet of Racheal Quigley who through some fancy footwork was unable to convert against her former side.
It was all Bulleen to this stage of the match with Privitelli once again cutting back a well weighted pass to Em Coppock whose finish sailed over the net much to the chagrin of the Boroondara keeper.
As is the case with all good football teams, ‘good things come to those who wait’.
The Eagles absorbed all of the early pressure from the Bulleen forwards and at the eighteen minute mark, up popped the indefatigable Taryne Boudreau.
Playing between the lines, she set on a solo run down the left wing, cutting inside to an unmarked Alex Gummer who had the experience and poise to prop, load the gun and pull the trigger with a wonderful right footer that flew past the outstretched hands of a diving Cassie Dimovski in goal.
With their tails up, the Eagles again pushed forward and this time Gummer became the provider seeking out Boudreau who had crept in behind the Bulleen defense. Her resultant shot hitting the crossbar and deflecting out of play.
The game was certainly heating up and the midfielders on both sides were keen to arrest control.
Bulleen’s Quigley was able to create a turnover in midfield stealing a ball from an advancing Boroondara player and quickly threading a well weighted pass to the feet of Goad in the 28th minute.
The winger ran the ball deep into the left corner of the box as the Eagles scrambled to drop back in defense.
Her cross found the feet of the rampaging Privitelli who managed to get foot to ball to spear a shot into the top of the net to equalise the match.
The advances by both teams kept coming but it should be said that the defensive lines were tight on both sides.
Dani Gudelj once again excelled in her new found position for Bulleen at right back while Boroondara’s Rani Cavarretta was equally impressive at the other end.
A number of clashes in goal and on the ball saw delays in play, but there were no further additions to the scoreline as the whistle sounded on a very entertaining first half of football.
It was a matter of who would convert in the second half and take home the three points. It was end-to-end football played at very high levels by both teams.
Early on, Boroondara’s international midfielder Sarah Jacobs had a solid chance to score with a cracking right footer from distance but Dimovski was able to secure the ball.
Gummer and Callaghan also had shots but neither were able to hit the target.
As the game came to a close it looked more and more like a draw was looming.
Bulleen’s best chance to force an upset came with five minutes remaining when midfielder Alex Natoli found herself open at the top of the box after rounding two defenders for a one-on-one with Lanning.
Her right foot strike was solid but Lanning was cool under pressure and confidently saved to bring the game to an eventual draw.
Bulleen lick their wounds and look to the 2016 WNPL season while Boroondara will now focus on preparing for their finals campaign with a week off to look forward to.
***
FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Privitelli 28′) drew with Boroondara Eagles 1 (Gummer 18′) at Veneto Club [HT: 1-1]
FC Bulleen Women: 1. Cassie Dimovski (GK), 2. Tessa Sernio, 3. Isabella Scott, 5. Maddie Stockdale, 9. Lia Privitelli, 10. Emily Coppock, 16. Beattie Goad, 19. Daniela Gudelj, 20. Alex Natoli, 21. Racheal Quigley, 22. Emily Dolzan
Substitutes: 4. Nadia Nieuwhof, 11. Tayla Mure, 14. Charlotte McGilp, 43. Tori Snelleksz
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Boroondara Eagles: 1. Anna Lanning (GK), 2. Sarah Jacobs, 5. Skye Jensen, 6. Ash Callaghan, 7. Taryne Boudreau, 9. Alex Gummer, 11. Aliesha Newman, 31. Rani Cavarretta, 50. Lucy Johnstone, 52. Aimee Medwin, 55. Jess Tay
Substitutes: 12. Sarah Petty, 21. Freya Crocker, 25. Bindi Bryce, 88. Kayo Kugimna
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil