Heidelberg United have ended Bundoora United’s current tenure in top-flight Victorian women’s football, winning 4-1 in the WPL Elimination Final on Saturday night.
Goals to Holly Tsalikidis, Julia Nicolaci, Elise Mamanu-Gray and Anisa Guajardo were followed by a late Bundy consolation to Stacey Papadopoulos, her side battling a myriad of injuries across the 90 minute affair.
Heidelberg generated the first clear-cut opportunity when Mamanu-Gray pounced on a loose ball in attack, teeing up Guajardo for an opportunity that missed just wide.
Up the other end, a Rachel Alonso switch found Lisa De Vanna, who tested Christine Fonua with a powerful effort.
The Bergers then had a period of agonising near misses, as a Guajardo header and Nicolaci long shot both flirted with the woodwork.
The end-to-end action continued as Alonso sliced the defence open with a piercing through ball, though De Vanna missed a one-on-one opportunity that nine times out of 10 would have hit the back of the net.
Heidelberg’s third brush with the woodwork finally paid dividends when Guajardo’s mazy run into the box ended with a Tsalikidis shot that bounced off the upright and into the goals via an unfortunate Beth Mason-Jones deflection.
Nothing seemed to be going Bundoora’s – and De Vanna’s – way, as another opportunity in the box from the Matilda flashed just wide not long before the break.
The early second half saw both sides restricted to chances from set-pieces, with a Nicolaci free-kick flying over the bar, a goal line scramble from a Heidelberg corner kick cleared away, and an effort from Alonso hit straight at Fonua.
Another set-piece saw the Bergers extend the lead, as a challenge on Mamanu-Gray was flagged by the lineswoman, with Nicolaci stepping up to dispatch a 60th minute penalty.
The night got worse for Bundoora when the ever-dangerous Guajardo cut in on her left and delivered a cross for Mamanu-Gray to tap home.
The Mexican international then capped off proceedings with a thumping header from Nicolaci’s corner kick.
Bundoora did manage a consolation in added time, as Claudia Fruscalzo’s ball found Stacey Papadopoulos, who slid the ball past an oncoming Fonua.
Heidelberg will now face South Melbourne in next week’s Semi-Final, while Bundoora head into the off season nursing their wounds, with all of Enza Barilla (ankle), Lisa De Vanna (ankle), Beth Mason-Jones (concussion), Gulcan Koca (toe) and Daniella Gallucio (ribs) looking worse for wear after the contest.
Bundoora United 1 (Papadopoulos 90′) defeated by Heidelberg United 4 (Tsalikidis 38′, Nicolaci [p] 60′, Mamanu-Gray 65, Guajardo 83′)
Bundoora United: 1. Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), 9. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, 10. Gulcan Koca, 11. Jess Au, 12. Daniella Galluccio, 23. Jess Pitts, 13. Claudia Fruscalzo, 16. Louisa Bisby, 14. Rachel Alonso, 17. Enza Barilla, 3. Lisa De Vanna
Substitutes: 17. Stacey Papadopoulos, 22. Deanna Fruscalzo, 24. Mia Killick, 15. Krystal McClusky, 4. Giulia Sepe
Heidelberg United: 21. Christine Fonua (GK), 2. Demi Mihaloudis, 4. Michelle Verzi, 55. Elise Mamanu-Gray, 6. Laura Phillips, 10. Julia Nicolaci, 15. Lisa Fonua, 18. Sadie Murphy, 38. Christy Zwolski, 14. Holly Tsalikidis, 50. Anisa Guajardo
Substitutes: 13. Adelyn Ayton, 11. Aneta Komijat, 9. Belinda Pannella , 5. Elly Torre, 22. Ellie Gavalas