Casey Comets had a returning Brittany Dudley-Smith to thank after the forwards hat-trick helped her side to a 4-1 win over Cairnlea on Friday night. Heidelberg United also notched up a resounding win, beating bottom placed Monbulk Rangers 4-0 at Olympic Village.
Bundoora United got the better of fourth placed Boroondara Eagles on Saturday to the tune of 2-1. Box Hill did it harder as they came from behind to beat a spirited Ashburton Women’s 3-2.
The biggest result of the round saw the NTC girls put on a master class to beat Sandringham 2-0. The biggest game of the round however produced a 1-1 score line; South Melbourne and FC Bulleen Lions unable to be split in the 90 minutes.
GK: Frances Land (FC Bulleen Lions)
While she could’ve done better dealing with Tiff Eliadis’ free-kick, Land had a solid outing in goals for high-fliers Bulleen as she repelled a dangerous South’s forward line on numerous occasions. She was quick off her line all night and showed a marked improvement in her distribution, which was pleasing to see.
CB: Chloe Drinoczky (South Melbourne)
Starting on the left side of a defensive three, Drinoczky did an outstanding job keeping the competition’s in-form winger Lia Privitelli quiet. Although she’s more comfortable as a full-back, she showed no signs of unease as she got stuck in when needed and it all contributed towards a fairly comfortable afternoon.
CB: Emily Dolzan (FC Bulleen Lions)
Whilst defensive partner Salma Tawfic got the choccies last week, it was Dolzan who stepped up to tame a dangerous South Melbourne forward line. It took a dazzling free-kick to spoil the clean sheet in a contest where chances were kept at a premium. Dolzan helped marshall the defence in Alex Natoli’s absence and kept Melbourne Victory forward Laura Spiranovic goalless again.
CB: Jackie Vogt (Bundoora United)
Jackie Vogt lead from the back, keeping a young and inexperienced Bundy backline together whilst pushing ever so close to a clean sheet. A 30-yard free-kick from Alex Gummer tarnished what they deserved late. Vogt read the game sublimely, cutting out attacks as well as setting them up as she often pushed forward to link up with her midfielders.
LM: Jade Barnden (Casey Comets)
Barnden seems to have adjusted to Ian Williamson’s formation with ease after some recent impressive performances since her introduction to the side. The winger was superb off either flank, scoring Casey’s first before assisting Dudley-Smith on two occasions.
CM: Jess Pitts (FFV U17 Girls)
The NTC captain put in a marvellous shift in both her usual midfield role as well as in centre-back. She sneaks in as our holding midfielder after an influential afternoon. She played her part in the opening goal after she saw her free-kick slam off the crossbar and into the path of Melissa Taranto. Her defensive work went a long way towards shutting down a potentially dangerous Sandringham offence.
RM: Demi Kallianis (Heidelberg United)
John Kyrgios was full of praise for his in-form winger after her stunning performance against Monbulk saying: “Again Demi [Kallianis], it’s amazing. She’s been with us for so long and she hasn’t had much success with scoring and suddenly in the last four games, she’s scored three goals. She’s got some success so we’re very happy for her as well.”
No one is questioning the praise as the winger added another goal and assist to her season tally against the struggling Rangers.
CAM: Tiffany Eliadis (South Melbourne)
A surprise move pre-game saw the leagues leading goal scorer start in defence for top-of-the-table South Melbourne. She defended resolutely before moving to her more comfortable advanced midfield position where she continued to influence the contest. She eventually got her reward, ramming home a free-kick with a little assistance from the Bulleen keeper.
We at The Corner Flag would like to see her get a game in goals to complete our Eliadis bingo card.
ST: Brittany Dudley-Smith (Casey Comets)
Casey’s talismanic striker is back after a season in the US under a college football scholarship. The Kiwi was back to her usual best in the WPL after returning to the squad for the first time this week, bagging a hat-trick in a dominating and clinical performance up front.
ST: Laura Di Clemente (Heidelberg United)
It’s been a while coming but Di Clemente finally found the back of the net for her new side. Her form in recent weeks hasn’t been bad but she’s just lacked that final touch and this week she showed it in abundance. She forced chances for her teammates with her forward pressure, winning balls she had no right to. She also showed how clinically she can dispatch a chance when given the opportunity. Hopefully for Heidelberg, there’s more of it to come.
ST: Ruby Foottit (Box Hill United)
The Box Hill striker was the best performing player for her side as they prevailed in a tight contest over Ashburton. She scored her side’s equaliser – heading home from a set piece – while also hitting the crossbar in the second term. She was heavily influential in United’s comeback win.
Substitutes:
Erin Hudson (FFV U17 Girls)
While not tasked with anything too difficult by the Sandringham forwards – save for the suspended Emma Runnalls – Hudson was one of two keepers to keep a clean sheet for the round. Aided heavily by her defenders, Hudson put in a decent performance to keep the a Elaina Vatcky led Sandringham scoreless.
Annabel Martin (FFV U17 Girls)
Martin ran hard up and down the right flank, distributing well to Goad and Harbis in the more advanced positions. She showed great composure on the ball and even better ability with it as she put in a number of dangerous crosses. The full-back was also solid in her defensive duties.
Enza Barilla (Bundoora United)
Highly unlucky to make the cut, the agile forward was at her troubling best against Boroondara. Her link up play in particular with Rachel Alonso was telling as the pair often looked for each other as the first option. Barilla netted the opener in United’s 2-1 win and on another day could’ve had more.
Padiki Dade (Bundoora United)
An old fashion winger is reigning WPL Player of the Month Padiki Dade. Her bustling runs down the right wing were the main cause of concern for the Boroondara Eagles, which is saying something when Barilla and Alonso accompanied her in a star studded front three.
Melina Ayers (Ashburton SC)
Ayers had a standout game on the wing for Ashburton, scoring her sides second moments after the games resumption from the break. You’d be kicking yourself if you’d gone for a coffee, as her goal was a worldie. She took on the Box Hill defence before unleashing from distance a raking strike over the head of Melissa Barbieri.
Ellie Brush (Box Hill United)
Brush dictated play for the visitor’s and she stepped up when called upon to help get her side back into the game. She was her usual confident self in the middle of the park, playing through her teammates a number of times whilst not shirking her defensive duties.
Maggie Eudes (Heidelberg United)
Started fantastically but faded in the second half, much like her teammates in the 4-0 win over Monbulk Rangers. She was a key reason as to why the Berger’s played so well in that first term, scoring a delightful volley to complement her all action performance.
Thanks to Cheryl Downes (@ChicasFootball), Craig Stockdale and the rest of the Corner Flag team for their assistance this week.