Senior NTC have produced a major blow to FC Bulleen Lion’s finals aspirations with a sensational 1-0 win at a desolate Darebin on Thursday night.
A classy run and finish by the NTC youngster Melindaj Barbieri at the 20th minute mark was enough to secure the victory and take home the three points.
The game saw a depth of local talent on display, along with sublime skills, ball movement and on-ball pressure applied by both teams, as some of Victoria’s best young players were pitted against each other at the State Football Centre.
The NTC team certainly came out to play and straight away attacked the ball with great speed, agility and gusto, looking threatening right from the first whistle.
After a rough and tumble match last week against Casey Comets, NTC were much more at home playing against a team that possesses a similar game style in terms of skill, speed and ball movement.
25 of the players on the park had been through the FFV’s NTC program and the quality of the contest was testimony to this fact, with fast and formidable football from both teams.
Minutes in, NTC winger Whitney Knight set about creating trouble for Bulleen defenders by sprinting up the wing, cutting in and pulling the trigger on a deliberate shot that forced the Bulleen keeper Cassie Dimovski to tip the shot over the net.
The NTC intent was clear for everyone to see very early in the game, and Bulleen knew they had their hands full.
The visitors responded quickly with some clever foot skills, stringing a series of forward passes to Beattie Goad, who found space for her left foot but saw the resultant shot clear the bar with no threat.
Minutes later, another forward thrust from Bulleen saw Emily Dolzan run into space and slot a shot on goal, only to have it slide past the goal mouth and into the side netting.
Another scare for the Lions came in the 12 minute mark when a defensive high ball clearance by NTC defender Jaimee Williams bounced over the head of Bulleen ‘keeper Dimovski, who had to then perform an acrobatic manoeuvre to get back and save the ball from rolling over the line and into the net.
Close call averted, but the relentless push by NTC would not end there.
With the time just clicking past the 20 minute mark, a precise series of passes from the NTC midfield found the feet of excitement machine, youngster Barbieri, who showed resolve beyond her years.
Streaming past a Bulleen defender and carrying the ball to the end of the box, Sandhu nonchalantly speared the ball past Dimovski, who at full stretch above her head could not deviate the flight of the ball, as it crashed into the right corner of the net.
NTC 1 to Bulleen zip.
Bulleen’s major weapon – its midfield – was being stifled and frustrated by the constant pressure exerted by the NTC, with the Taranto twins and Melindaj Barbieri able to intercept and force several turnovers.
This limited the creation of forward pressure by Bulleen and when the ball did eventually find its way into the Bulleen forward third, NTC ‘keeper Teresa Morrissey was there to ensure it would not pass.
Morrissey looked like a human washing machine thrashing herself across the box to stave off a shot by Goad, and then another by Dolzan, that paved the way for NTC to keep their lead at the break.
The second half, as expected, saw the resurgence of Bulleen as McGuinness looked towards his more experienced players for some positive football and a clear message to attack the goals.
Alex Natoli, thrust into the midfield, was making inroads for Beattie Goad to take on the ‘keeper, but again Morrissey was stoic in defence, averting any advances made by Bulleen.
The game had become a battle of the midfields and it was fascinating to watch.
NTC had youth and exuberance on their side, whilst Bulleen were desperately seeking the equaliser.
Cindy Lay had been quiet on her terms for the night, but at the 80 minute mark had the best opportunity to equalise with a lob over the ‘keeper which sailed over the bar, seemingly along with Bulleen’s chances for the match.
NTC maintained their structure and composure in defence and thwarted all attempts by the industrious Bulleen to secure the equaliser.
In the dying minutes of the game, Beattie Goad had the final opportunityto square the ledger, only to see her shot hit the left hand post and rebound into the arms of the NTC ‘keeper once again.
And so ended an amazing match, with NTC securing an epic win against the WPL’s in-form team.
Bulleen’s run came to an abrupt end and certainly it seems they have more work to do to gain entry to this year’s final fixture in September.
Round 16 sees NTC take on Sandringham at Darebin on Tuesday 14th July, while Bulleen host Ashburton at the Veneto Club on Monday 13th July.
***
Senior NTC 1 (Barbieri 20’) defeated Bulleen Lions 0 at the State Football Centre (HT: 1-0)
Senior NTC: 16. Teresa Morrissey (GK), 3. Natasha Dakic, 6. Adriana Taranto, 8. Melissa Taranto, 9.Joey Cartwright, 11. Whitney Knight, 13. Annabel Martin (c), 17. Hayley Richmond, 25. Melindaj Barbieri, 31. Coby McInerney, 1. Erin Hudson (GK), 2. Jaimee Williams, 15. Akeisha Sandhu, 14. Edith Fordyce-Croker, 28.Nikolina Bucalo
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
FC Bulleen Lions: 1. Cass Dimovski (GK), 2. Tessa Sernio (C), 3. Isabella Scott, 12. Liana Iaconis, 20. AlexNatoli, 5. Maddy Stockdale, 6. Caitlin Friend, 8. Cindy Lay, 16. Beattie Goad, 22. Emily Dolzan, 19. DaniGudelj, 10. Emily Coppock, 43. Tori Snelleksz (GK), 14. Alex Theodosi, 4. Bianca Trimboli.
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil