It was a slower week this time around in the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League, with less action due to the National Training Centre (FFV U17 Girls) team playing a tournament in New South Wales. Their game against South Melbourne was therefore postponed to an unspecified date.
The other five matches did yield a couple of small surprises, with Bulleen beating Box Hill 3-1 at Veneto Club on Monday night, while Casey Comets managed to hold Sandringham to a 2-2 draw.
A depleted Monbulk outfit was unable to hold off a strong Bundoora outfit as they lost 8-0, while Ashburton’s painful start to the season continued with a 4-1 loss to Heidelberg United.
Finally, Cairnlea battled hard against Boroondara Eagles, but were ultimately left crestfallen at the final whistle as the Eagles snatched a 2-1 victory late in the contest.
So let’s get to the best eleven this week, as presented by our writer Sean Ellicott.
GK – Diarna Cartwright (Cairnlea):
An outstanding exhibition of goalkeeping sees Cartwright in this edition of the Team of the Week. A stunning display of reflexes saw the 17 year old shot stopper save Cairnlea on multiple occasions, most notably preventing the Eagles from taking the lead in the first half, while helping them keep their lead for much of the second half. Her night was epitomised by a mind-blowing save off Ally Gayfer inside the six yard box, tipping what seemed like a surefire goal round the post for a corner.
LB – Tyla-Jay Vlanjic (Bundoora United):
In a day where Bundoora absolutely ran riot over Monbulk, Vlanjic was still able to stamp her mark on the game with significant impact, and earn selection in the team of the week yet again this season. The full back bombed forward in typical fashion as much as she could, scoring a goal coupled by an assist for Rachel Alonso.
CB – Alex Gummer (Boroondara Eagles):
Gummer put in a quite a shift for her side in Boroondara’s comeback win on Sunday evening. Starting in defence, Gummer was instrumental for the Eagles, and was even pushed forward into the midfield in the second half, allowing her to produce the crucial moment where she scored a cracking winner late in the game. She additionally provided the drive out of back line, dancing around bodies in the midfield, especially when Cairnlea crowded the area.
CB- Penny Bakopoulos (Heidelberg United):
The converted defender was once again ruthless at the back in Heidelberg’s 4-1 victory over Ashburton, sweeping away any potential attacks by the visiting side. The own goal for her side in the first half was unfortunate, but Bakopoulos is looking more and more comfortable in defence each week, and earns selection once again.
RB – Emma Robers (Sandringham):
Just edged out by Tyla-Jay Vlanjic in her preferred left back position, Robers nevertheless earns a spot at right back. The teenage defender has done an exceptional job filling in the big shoes Emma Gunn and Steph Catley left at full back, and she reached a new high in her side’s 2-2 draw on Monday night. Robers was one of Sandy’s best, dealing with everything that came her way and impressing with her passing and defensive duties.
LM – Elaina Vatcky (Sandringham):
The left sided midfielder was another standout performer in Sandringham’s relatively tame game. Vatcky was increasingly used as an outlet towards goal in a second half which saw the ball clogged up in the centre of midfield. Despite the score remaining at 2-2, Sandringham appeared the most likely to make another breakthrough with Vatcky conjuring up plenty of chances for her self and her team mates late in the game.
CM – Ebru Hasan (Heidelberg United):
Hasan has almost slotted seamlessly into Heidelberg’s midfield, and had her best outing since joining from Bundoora. She dictated the middle of the park for the hosts on their way to a 4-1 victory, and better yet, the midfielder scored an absolutely cracking goal which helped her secure a spot in this week’s edition of the Team of the Week.
CM – Gulcan Koca (Bundoora United):
It was another exceptional performance from Koca, who completely dominated Monbulk all over the pitch. The Turkish international was instrumental in Monbulk’s thrashing alongside Rachel Alonso, picking up two goals of her own. Incidentally she was also the only player to net more than one in that game.
RM – Angela Durston-Ryan (Casey Comets):
The forward found the kind of form that she had been promising since round one. Durston-Ryan was particularly lively for Casey in the first half, scoring a vital first goal for the Comets which resurrected her side’s chances of claiming a result, as Casey scored the equalising goal only ten minutes later.
FWD – Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions):
The in-form striker earns back-to-back selection after another impressive outing against Box Hill. Privitelli had an impact when it counted, netting a cracking finish early in the game, assisting Daniela Gudelj for the second goal and completing her brace late with another fine effort to burry Box Hill and put the game well beyond doubt. She is really hitting top form, and is a big reason for Bulleen’s burst up the table.
FWD – Rachel Alonso (Bundoora United):
It was a best on ground performance from the former Melbourne Victory forward as her side completely annihilated Monbulk. The forward lead from the front, scoring her side’s second whilst linking up well with those around her. The return to the Team of the Week this season must be sweet for Alonso after having to battle a troublesome knee injury for the past few months.
With less to pick from this week, we have decided not to name a substitute’s bench.
Intro by Tomasz Ng, thanks to all the contributions from FFV match reporters, all our own contributors, and others who have aided in the process.