South Melbourne WFC has progressed to the penultimate round of the Women’s Premier League season after a narrow 2-1 victory over Heidelberg United.
The Bergers had previously gone 12 games undefeated before bowing out from the finals series; their last loss ironically also a 2-1 loss at the hands of South in Round 11.
This affair was another tight one, as the game was decided by a stunning goal from Jamie Pollock, which took a cruel deflection off the immense Christina Fonua on its way into goal.
Earlier, Brittany Dudley-Smith had put South into a first half lead, before Anisa Guajardo’s tidy chip restored parity with just 10 minutes left in the game.
That set the scene for Pollock to steal the win with a raking drive from distance, which cannoned off the upright, off the back of Christina Fonua and into the net.
How Jamie Pollock won a classic #WPLVIC Semi-Final for @SMWFC! Picture: Graeme Furlong #SMvHU pic.twitter.com/CbdBlfZBcM
— Sportsmart WPL (@wplvictoria) September 12, 2015
The game belonged predominantly to the hosts throughout the first half, although there were a number of early warning shots unleashed at either end of the pitch; Tiffany Eliadis skewed a first minute shot past the post before chances to Julia Nicolaci and Christy Zwolski were blocked by the South defence.
The hosts – seemingly buoyed by the circumstances of last weeks defeat to Ashburton – created the better of the chances.
Eliadis wobbled a wind-affected free-kick into the safe hands of Christina Fonua before her sister Lisa denied Dudley-Smith with a last ditch sliding tackle.
Saphri Lines saw a number of chances go astray before playing Eliadis through over the top, but she blazed over the bar comfortably.
The pressure continued to slowly build, as Lisa Farquhar struck the upright directly from a corner kick, which forced a mini-scramble for Heidelberg to clear their lines.
They thought they had their goal soon after in the 37th minute as Eliadis turned on a sixpence to unleash a curling shot from just inside the 18-yard-box.
But Fonua was up to the challenge, diving expertly to her left to swat the shot away from the top corner of the net facing the lake.
Both Fonua’s were again in the action in the latter stages of the contest; Christina coming up with another sharp save to deny Dudley-Smith in the 42nd minute before Lisa flung herself into the line of Eliadis’ effort.
But those defensive efforts were in vain as South struck in the dying embers of the half to take the lead.
A deep ball from Carol Howes found Dudley-Smith through the middle, who held off her defensive marker before cutting the ball between two more United defenders.
Having now totalled three defensive scalps, she kept her feet and stroked the ball past Christina Fonua with a cool head.
The second half however failed to open up, despite that game-breaking goal.
It was cagey and hard-fought, which poorly translated into good opportunities on goal.
Dudley-Smith scuffed a tame shot wide on 72 minutes before forcing Fonua into a comfortable save just four minutes later.
But it was Heidelberg who struck first, against the run of play through Mexican international Guajardo.
The classy forward broke free after a sharp ball over the top of the South defence, composing herself before chipping an onrushing Frances Land to equalise.
Substitute Belinda Pannella nearly stole a win from the grasps of South, dispossessing Jessie Pritchard inside her own defensive area, before seeing her low shot smothered by Land – her most telling contribution of the game.
This allowed Pollock to assume the role of match winner with her stunning strike at the death keeping South’s season alive for at least one more game.
Photos: Graeme Furlong
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South Melbourne 2 (Dudley-Smith 45+1’, Pollock 90’) defeated Heidelberg United 1 (Guajardo 89’) at Lakeside Stadium [HT: 1-0]
South Melbourne: 1. Frances Land (GK), 2. Brittany Dudley-Smith, 5. Natalie Martineau, 6. Alex Cheal, 8. Carol Howes, 10. Tiffany Eliadis, 11. Saphri Lines (18. Caitlin Greiser 83’), 12. Jamie Pollock, 16. Lisa Farquhar, 3. Jade Feakes (17. Alison Baker 46’)
Unused Substitute(s): 31. Jasmine Arezollo, 39. Coco Majstorovic, 14. Natalie Brajanovski
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Heidelberg United: 21. Christine Fonua (GK), 2. Demi Mihaloudis (5. Elly Torre 72’), 4. Michelle Verzi, 55. Elise Mamanu-Gray (9 Belinda Pannella 63’), 6. Laura Phillips, 10. Julia Nicolaci, 15. Lisa Fonua, 18. Sadie Murphy, 38. Christy Zwolski (11. Aneta Komijat 58’), 26. Holly Tsalikidis (13. Adelyn Ayton 39’), 50. Anisa Guajardo
Unused Substitute(s): 22. Ellie Gavalas
Yellow Card(s): Ayton 63’
Red Card(s): Nil