Image: Football Federation Victoria
The fifth edition of the Team App Cup sees Bulleen Lions pitted up against Heidelberg United, the pair experiencing varyingly different runs to the final, as well as league form. Either way it’s sure to be a game that offers plenty of goals at Broadmeadows Valley Park, with both sides boasting fantastic attacking records in 2016.
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Road to the Final
It’s been a relatively gentle run to the finals for both sides, who only had to face one NPLW opposition each. For Bulleen, their campaign started with a Second Round 21-0 thrashing of Watsonia Heights FC, Emily Coppock (5), Taryne Boudreau (4), Beattie Goad (4) and Dani Gudelj (3) showing no mercy with respective hat-tricks. They had tougher games against Galaxy United in Round Three and South Melbourne in Round Four, but prevailed 2-0 and 4-2 respectively, despite South Melbourne pushing them all the way with only a Keeley Lockhart goal sealing the tie.
Similarly, the game against Boroondara Eagles remained tight until the break, as Bulleen held a 2-1 lead at half-time, Lockhart again on the scoresheet to net right on the precipice of half-time. Coppock and Goad both netted a second half brace to help extend the scoreline to 8-1 in the 2015 Grand Final replay.
Heidelberg started their campaign with three lower league opposition, as they first put nine past Old Xaverians, where Melissa Barbieri and Michelle Verzi both grabbed a double, then getting a 3-0 win over Brighton SC. They had a much tougher run for their last two fixtures, as it took a last-gasp winner from Joey Cartwright to separate them against State League One opponents Melbourne University.
Their progression to the Final came in a penalty shootout win over Alamein FC, with Leigh Gray and Elise Mamanu-Gray putting the Bergers into a 2-0 lead in the first half. Melina Ayres found a reprieve on the stroke of half-time, before fellow heavy-hitter Hannah Keane found a second half equaliser. The game went into extra-time, then penalties which gave Mamanu-Gray the chance to progress from the spot, and the Kiwi made no mistake.
FULL REPORT > Bulleen, Bergers set up blockbuster Cup final
For coach Bill Mihaloudis, this game marks the final opportunity for his side to get something out of the 2016 season.
“For us it means everything,” Mihaloudis said.
“[It’s] everything we’ve worked on all season to get us to this point, especially knowing that our Final has come early. It’s good to know that we are fighting for some silverware today.”
Past Ventures
Bulleen have been the cup specialists over the past three seasons, this being their third consecutive final. Their previous two have come with mixed success; they managed to take out the title – then named Women State Knockout Cup – with a 2-0 win over South Melbourne in 2014, which included a stunning long-bomb from Tessa Sernio, a moment that’s lived long in the memory banks.
The season after saw them lose in a 5-3 goal-fest to Boroondara Eagles in an absolute stunning contest at Lakeside Stadium, taking their tally to 1-1 from Grand Finals. Interestingly enough, they knocked out Heidelberg in both 2014 (QF) and 2015 (SF); now in 2016 will be hoping to knock them off for a third season running.
This is Heidelberg’s first appearance in a Women’s Cup Final after making a Semi-Finals appearance in 2012 and as mentioned 2015, while they made it to the final eight in 2013, only to be knocked out by finalists South Melbourne.
League Form
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for both sides, however Bulleen Lions have definitely experienced more highs than lows in 2016. Just one defeat in their opening 13 games saw them well in the hunt for the NPLW title, before a series of defeats hit home as fixture congestion hit due to this Cup run. A 3-0 defeat to Box Hill United was followed up a fortnight later by a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Senior NTC, before then getting thrashed 6-0 by Alamein FC. They have since returned to winning ways and with Calder United slipping up a few times as well, currently sit atop the NPLW ladder, albeit their rivals have a game in hand.
Heidelberg enjoyed just one win in their first six fixtures, thrashed by Senior NTC (6-1) and Calder United (5-0) in the process. But as only the Bergers seem to do each season, they rallied to make a late run for finals football, which only evaded them last match week. They are a side capable of scoring, as is shown in their seven games this season in which they’ve scored three or more goals. Leigh Gray has been at the forefront of this with her 18 goals for the seaosn, the second most in the league.
Key Match Ups
Lia Privitelli vs. Bonnie Barnes
It’s yet to be seen how the electric Bulleen Lions winger will truly respond to the added attacking responsibility in the absence of Beattie Goad. She tried incredibly hard in the narrow win over Galaxy United last weekend, before succumbing to injury, but will be a main outlet for her side this afternoon once again, fitness permitting. Bonnie Barnes will be the one pitted up against her, and in a pure match for pace Privitelli has the wood. If Barnes can shut down her opposition winger, it’ll go a long way towards deciding the tie.
Leigh Gray vs. Liana Iaconis
Arguably been the most important players for each side this season, with Gray adding a much needed cutting edge for the fifth placed side. Her 18 goals account in the league season account for just under half of the Bergers’ total strikes this season, but she’ll be pitted up against Liana Iaconis for Bulleen who has enjoyed a spectacular season. When fit, the versatile Lioness has commanded her defence and ably assisted in the absence of Melbourne Victory defender Alex Natoli on her recovery from injury. She’ll have to be on her game to keep the America forward quiet.
Keeley Lockhart vs. Heidelberg’s keeper option
The final match-up isn’t a direct meeting, but regardless these two will have a massive say in how the Grand Final plays out. Keeley Lockhart was thrown into the mixer last week and was very impressive as a sweeper-keeper for Bulleen Lions in the absence of Lauren Farrugia. As for Heidelberg, they’ve had minimal luck in the goalkeeping department, with Christina Fonua breaking her leg, then Melissa Barbieri confirming the worst, doing both her ACL and MCL on the eve of the finals. Hannah Ryan donned the gloves mid-game on Wednesday, and whoever has the role today will surely be kept busy.