Another week has passed, but the summit of the Women’s Premier League still retains a familiar look. Box Hill extended their 100% record with a 2-0 win at Monbulk, while South Melbourne remains 2 points behind them after coming back to defeat Heidelberg United 5-2.
Bulleen Lions kept up their winning streak, defeating Cairnlea 5-2 to sit third in the table, while Sandringham sit in fourth after a convincing 5-0 win over Ashburton.
Bundoora United made it back to back wins by scraping a 1-0 win against the FFV U17s, and Boroondara was the other winner on the weekend, as they came away with a 3-0 win from Casey.
On the scorers front, Emma Runnalls has joined Natalie Exon on five goals in the first four games to sit on top of the scorers charts.
Here is how each team fared this weekend:
Monbulk 0-2 Box Hill at Monbulk Recreation Reserve
Box Hill made it four from four in the win against Monbulk in the early Friday evening kick-off, but it was a result that looked a bit harsh on the home side. Monbulk weathered the early storm from their counterparts, but were unable to make the most of their possession throughout the contest, and they failed to trouble Melissa Barbieri between the sticks for Box Hill.
Ruby Foottit would have been relieved to score in the 41st minute after fluffing an open goal earlier in the game, while an unfortunate own goal from a Sarah Walsh free kick made it two for the visitors in the second half and sealed the points.
Casey Comets 0-3 Boroondara Eagels at Comets Stadium
The Eagles made it successive wins in the WPL thanks to a double by Ellen Turner. Her first came just past the half hour, putting some life into a scrappy opening half when she converted Alex Gummer’s cross.
However, Casey were strong throughout most of the contest and should have made more of chances to Charlie West and Angela Durston-Ryan. In the end Boroondara wrapped up the match when Leah Barrett smashed home a rebound after a Turner corner hit the bar, and the forward wrapped up her brace in the 87th minute finishing off a perfect Aisling Callaghan cross.
Bundoora United 1-0 FFV U17s Girls at Hillsview Recreation Reserve
It took a while to come, but Bundoora eventually beat a stubborn FFV U17s side thanks to a cool finish by Enza Barilla in the 77th minute. The hosts had Rachel Alonso hit the frame of the goal in the first half, while the development side had a chance off their own cleared off the line in the second half.
Bundoora had mounted plenty of pressure on the U17s and Barilla reaped the rewards as she finished off her one on one chance to clinch the three points.
South Melbourne 5-2 Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium
The scoreline may look convincing, but it was not a true reflection of what was quite a tight contest for the best part of 85 minutes. Coming up against some stern resistance, South Melbourne took the lead through Jessica Au who bundled in a cross from Natalie Martineau.
But it didn’t last as Kendra Jones stunned the home side with a stinging shot (probably a cross) from outside the box that bamboozled the keeper to equalise, and they even took the lead after South failed to defend a throw in, which led to Elise Kyrgios converting the rebound from a Michelle Verzi shot.
The home side then applied plenty of pressure on the Bergers defence in the second half, and after Tiffany Eliadis grabbed the vital equaliser in the 72nd minute, they had Heidelberg sitting deeper and deeper. Eventually a free kick from Demi Mihaloudis sparked a flurry of very late goals, with Laura Spiranovic confidently finishing inside the box and another free kick to Eliadis added a bit of gloss to the scoreline.
READ MORE > South part ways with Mihaloudis
Cairnlea 2-5 Bulleen Lions at Cairnlea Park
Bulleen recovered from an early goal by Bridie Kean to run out convincing winners against Cairnlea. Having to see off the hosts strong start, Bulleen responded in spectacular fashion with Jessica Tay cracking a 20 yard strike off the crossbar then finishing off on the rebound. Goals to Lia Privitelli and Emily Coppock ensure they went into the break with a 3-1 lead.
Privitelli scored her second on the hour mark to briefly extend the lead, as Aneta Komijat pulled the deficit back to two from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. But the attacker had the last laugh as she rounded off her hat trick in style, beating three defenders before finishing with aplomb.
Ashburton 0-5 Sandringham at Ashburton Park
It proved to be another miserable day for Ashburton as they couldn’t hold out the defending champions in typically windy conditions at Ashburton Park. Emma Runnalls’ header in the 38th minute put a dent in the home side’s stubborn resistance, and another to Annabelle Gibney three minutes later gave Ashburton a mountain to climb.
They did threaten to claw the lead back early in the second half, but Runnall’s second after dispossessing Skowronska effectively killed the contest, and Stephanie Tanti, as well as Elaina Vatcky made sure of the result on the afternoon.
Click here for the WPL Top Scorers
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South Melbourne continued their fast start with a sixth consecutive win, this time in the traditional Melbourne Derby against the Melbourne Knights. Oakleigh who remain second, recorded a 2-0 victory against Hume to keep up the pace, while Northcote continue their early season revival with a 4-1 thrashing of Werribee.
Elsewhere, Heidelberg continued their momentum by thrashing Port Melbourne 4-0 on Friday night, while Bentleigh defeated Dandenong Thunder 3-1. Ballarat failed to take 3 points from Pascoe Vale on Saturday, as they let slip a 2-0 lead, and Green Gully ended a four match losing streak by beating Goulburn Valley Suns 2-1.
In the race for the golden boot, Milos Lujic and Craig Carley share top spot with six goals each, while Dusan Bosnjak is not far behind on five.
Here is how Round 6 played out:
Port Melbourne 0-4 Heidelberg United at JL Murphy Reserve
The Sharks failed to make the most of home advantage once again as they were thoroughly beaten by Heidelberg on Friday night. An own goal to John Lazaridis opened proceedings for the visitors, who made it two before the break thanks to Kostas Kanakaris’ volley.
Heidelberg continued where the left off after the break and Daniel Vasilevski’s deflected strike made it three, before the former Melbourne Victory man secured his brace when he smashed in a volley. Alessandro Venezia saw red before the fourth goal for a reckless challenge, and that really summed up Port Melbourne’s disappointing night.
Bentleigh Greens 3-1 Dandenong Thunder at Kingston Heath
Bentleigh were made to come from behind against Dandenong to keep their unbeaten record in their first five games. After a teasing first half, it was Dandenong who took a surprise lead through super sub Matthew Millar just a couple minutes into the second half.
But the visitors lead was cancelled out soon after when David Stirton rammed home a rebound after Luc Jeggo had an effort saved. Stirton then recorded his brace just before the hour after springing the offside trap, as Bentleigh took control of the contest. Jeggo then fired a shot into the bottom corner of the net to round out the 3-1 result.
Northcote City 4-1 Werribee City at John Cain Memorial Park
The 2013 Victorian Premier League Champions made it three wins in a row against Werribee, as they look to recover from the three losses they had to start the season. Trent Rixon started the scoring after finishing a rebound from Jame Kalifatidis’ initial shot, and Liam Wooding gave them a two goal buffer going into half time after scoring from long range.
Rixon then bagged his second on the day ten minutes into the second half after being played through by Wooding, while Michael Catalano added a fourth for Northcote after some good wing play. Instead of running completely riot though, Werribee managed to grab a consolation when Simon Zappia chipped Theodoridis.
READ MORE > Confidence flowing in Northcote
Green Gully 2-1 Goulburn Valley Suns at Green Gully Reserve
Green Gully won the battle of the strugglers despite conceding early to the Suns. The home side made a criminal error in just the fourth minute of the game as a Roddy Vargas mistake gifted the Craig Carley a free shot at goal. The league’s top scorer needed no invitation and he put the chance away in clinical fashion.
However, the hosts only had to wait 15 minutes to equalise as Brent Fisher finished off a nice move. They then dominated the rest of the match and got their reward when Osagie Ederaro pounced to punish the Suns for failing to clear their lines. As a result Goulburn Valley remain the only side without a point so far.
Pascoe Vale 2-2 Ballarat Red Devils at Hosken Reserve
Ballarat were left wondering how they let slip a 2-0 lead to only come away with a point against Pascoe Vale on Saturday night. Dom Swinton scored his fourth of the season to give the Red Devils a lead going into half time, while Tomislav Milardovic scored an unfortunate own goal to put Ballart comfortably ahead with fifteen minutes to play.
Needing inspiration from somewhere, Michael Ferrante delivered for Pascoe Vale as he scored a sumptuous free kick in the 76th minute. It went from bad to worse for Ballarat who had Liam Harding sent off, and eventually relinquished their scoreboard advantage when Aaron Romein smashed a clearance in to Nathen Megic’s back and it rolled into the goal. It was a missed opportunity for Ballarat who finally get a home game next week as they welcome South Melbourne for the Morshead Park opening.
Hume City 0-2 Oakleigh Cannons at Broadmeadows Valley Park
“Today we played like Chelsea,” said Miron Bleiberg after the match, and his Oakleigh side were certainly efficient in brushing aside Hume City’s challenge. Dusan Bosnjak gave the visitors an early lead after he finished off a cutback from Nate Foster, before Foster scored a solo goal of his own just before half time.
The counter attacks paid off for Oakleigh, and Hume were unable to capitalise on the chances they managed to fashion against a resolute Cannons’ defence.
Melbourne Knights 0-1 South Melbourne at Knights Stadium
It’s never usually a dull clash between these sides, and it certainly wasn’t a boring old 1-0 win to South Melbourne. Milos Lujic scored the winner late on as he left Milan Batur for dead to curl in a finish in off the far post, taking his tally to six goals from six games.
Both sides had many chances throughout the match, and Knights probably would’ve scored on any other day, but Jason Saldaris was on top form to deny Rodrigo Covarrubias and Shayan Alinejad. In the end South Melbourne took the all important three points and get to keep the local bragging rights until these two meet again.
Click here for the NPL Top Scorers
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In the NPL 1, late substitutes were the flavour of the week, with many super-subs getting the job done for their respective sides. Brunswick and Springvale earned their first points of the season in emphatic style, leaving Bendigo rooted at the bottom of the ladder. Box Hill no longer have maximum points, and are forced to share top spot with Avondale Heights and St. Albans
Whittlesea Ranges 2-3 Brunswick City at Epping Stadium
Brunswick kicked off the round by earning their first points of the NPL 1 season and hauling themselves off the bottom of the ladder after an outrageous come-from-behind victory away to Whittlesea Ranges. Despite the goalmouth action, the match will no doubt be remembered for Brunswick keeper Mason Interlandi’s two crucial penalty saves to halt the home side.
Kliment Dimitrieski opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a long-range curler, before Dimitri Vithoulkas replied soon after for Brunswick. Interlandi pulled off his first save to deny Dimitrieski just minutes later, before the away side took an unlikely lead through Dennis Sadik.
Whittlesea did score an equalizer soon after through the ever-threatening Dimitrieski, before Sam Mazzolini again put the visitors in front in extra time with an audacious chip that left Anthony Raspudic stranded. The drama didn’t end there as Whittlesea earned a late penalty, before Interlandi again guessed correctly to this time deny Daniel Giogha and leave the home side wondering just what more they had to do to claim the three points on the night.
Sunshine George Cross 0-1 St Albans Saints at Chaplin Reserve
There was more late drama in the NPL 1 on Saturday as St Albans Saints left it late to break the deadlock, along with Sunshine’s hearts, in the battle between the two western suburbs clubs.
A tense but dull affair in the first half, the canteen ladies at Chaplin Reserve would have been cooking up a more enjoyable product than the players on the pitch. The game eventually opened up, however, with all three goalkeepers (Robert Santilli was replaced by Nabi Tuna after injuring himself making a save) called upon at various times. Delfin Mosibe and Barry Devlin both hit the woodwork for their respective sides. However, late substitute Ajak Panek earned his side a late victory, and his coach the plaudits for a clever substitution, with a dashing run and goal on the counter.
Avondale Heights 3-0 Moreland Zebras at Avondale Heights Reserve
Avondale Heights easily accounted for a disappointing Moreland at home. Opeksiy Khrapko was a menace in the early minutes, winning a penalty and converting it himself. Zoran Pajic then doubled the lead after half an hour with a powerful header from a corner, before James Papadimitriou earned himself an early shower for a reckless challenge on Andrew Le Page just before half time.
Up a man and two goals at the break, Avondale could have been excused for taking their foot off the pedal, but substitute Jason Principato was intent on ramming home the advantage, sealing the game in the 87th minute with a powerful strike.
Kingston City 2-0 North Geelong Warriors at Grange Reserve
Kingston City looked to instill some consistency into their patchy season, and made it two wins on the trot with a 2-0 victory over North Geelong.
A tight first half saw the scorers untroubled despite swings in momentum for both sides, before Arthur Papadopoulos opened the account with a header from a set-piece in the 59th minute, arguably against the run of play. With North Geelong committing men forward in search of the equalizer, Max Etheridge continued this weekend’s trend of substitutes getting on the scoresheet, putting the game beyond doubt in stoppage time.
READ MORE > Tolios: Looking for momentum
Box Hill United 1-3 Springvale White Eagles at Wembley Park
Springvale White Eagles caused one of the upsets of the season with a 3-1 away win over table-topping Box Hill at Wembley Park.
With Box Hill taking maximum points so far in NPL 1, and Springvale still without one, the game was looking a formaility early with Box Hill dominating possession and taking a 1-0 half time lead through a deflected Nick Kokolakis goal. Vojislav Milojevic was intent on ruining the home side’s party though, dashing into the penalty box and drawing a foul from Josh Valadon just after the restart. Abel Fesseha slotted home the penalty to bring the White Eagles straight back into the contest.
The match was turned on its head when Valadon earned his second yellow card just 10 minutes later, and Box Hill paid the price for the ill discipline when Springvale struck again from the right hand side, with Milojevic teeing up Hamish Millar. The former then notched his third assist for the day, playing substitute Paul Maghiar through in extra time, sealing the unlikely result.
READ MORE > Kassidas: Springvale wanted it more & Mihajlovic relieved by shock first win
FC Bendigo 1-4 Richmond at Tom Flood Sports Centre
Richmond put aside the news of Grant Brebner’s resignation as head coach by destroying the hapless Bendigo, in the process relegating the latter to the bottom of the NPL 1 ladder.
Usual suspect Tom Cahill opened proceedings for Richmond, heading home from close range, before Trent Waterson got the home side level soon after. Hamlet Armenian ensured Richmond would take a lead into the break, tapping home a parried Cahill strike. The latter was all over the park on the day, and added his second goal in the 72nd minute, before his low cross was turned in by Bendigo defender Josh Romein to seal the 4-1 victory. Cahill would be involved in every Richmond goal on the day, capping a man of the match performance.
FC Bulleen Lions 1-1 Dandenong City at David Barro Stadium
Bulleen Lions were just minutes away from victory before a stoppage time Dandenong City goal ensured both sides would share the points on the night.
Joseph Katebian was instrumental in the first half, and his efforts were rewarded with a goal in the 37th minute, deservedly giving Bulleen the lead heading into half time. The second half ebbed and flowed as both sides had everything to play for- Dandenong seeking the equalizer, and Bulleen trying to put the game to bed. Ultimately Dandenong won the second half duel, with Steven Topalovic scoring late to leave the home fans disappointed that their boys couldn’t put away their chances earlier.