Elite level football in Victoria got into full swing over the past few days with the return of the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League, and 24 goals were scored across the six games played.
Box Hill United and Ashburton kicked off proceedings at Wembley Park on Friday night, with a Jasmina Pedic hat trick and further strikes to Ellie Brush and Natalie Exon handing the home side a big 5-2 win to start the season. Melissa Barbieri also saved a penalty on two occasions, while Jesse Kotsikas probably took out goal of the round with a sensational strike from just within her own half.
On Saturday afternoon, Monbulk Rangers played host to Heidelberg United in their first ever match at WPL level. The Bergers spoiled the party however with Melanie Camilleri scoring on her return to football, while Michelle Verzi and Angie Rassias rounded off the 3-0 win. Monbulk were tough but just couldn’t create enough to hurt Heidelberg on the day.
Cairnlea and Casey Comets got their campaigns off to a scrappy start on Sunday afternoon, with Aneta Komijat netting on debut for the home side after arriving from Altona City while Laura Croft equalised from the spot for Casey.
In the late game, Boroondara Eagles recorded their first ever point in the top flight after an impressive 0-0 draw with big championship favourites Bundoora United. The Eagles were strong on the counter, and had a Rachel Quigley shot cleared off the line in the first half. Bundoora had chances of their own, with Jackie Vogt missing from point blank and Rachel Alonso smacking the crossbar with a powerful shot late in the contest.
South Melbourne got their campaign off to a bright start on Monday night against Bulleen Lions, smashing the home side 4-1 thanks to goals from 2013 golden boot winner Tiffany Eliadis, Laura Spiranovic, Selin Kuralay and new signing Tijen Husssein. Salma Tawfic did actually equalise for Bulleen on the half hour, but South were just too strong in the end.
In the final game of the round, the lights went out prematurely again in Kingston Heath, which will cause ground management a few headaches after the postponement of Bentleigh vs Ballarat (NPLV) for the same reason a couple of weeks prior.
There won’t be too many complaints from Sandringham however, as they swept away a FFV U17 Girls team 6-1 before the floodlight failure brought the game to a halt. Alexi Garcia scored an impressive header for the U17 team after Christie Parton’s opener and Sky Jensen’s own goal, but in the end a brace to Nicola Prins, one to Stephanie Tanti and another for Emma Runnalls finished off a good night’s work.
Over to the National Premier League, there were plenty of exciting finishes across the league as teams began to hit their stride in the second week.
South Melbourne kicked off the weekend with a bang on Friday night, with Leigh Minopoulos scoring twice in three minutes to completely turn the game around against Port Melbourne. After Chris Grossman gave South a lead with an own goal, Kevin Braniff and Kamal Ibrahim gave the hosts a 2-1 lead. But Minopoulos had other ideas and stunned the home crowd to make it two wins from two for South.
Oakleigh Cannons had a late show of their own, with Dusan Bosnjak’s free kick deep into injury time sending the home faithful into delirium as they edged past Heidelberg United 2-1. The 2013 State League 1 champions actually had the lead at the break thanks to Kaine Sheppard, but Bosnjak stole the show with his second half brace.
In the other Friday night fixture, Pascoe Vale continued their nightmare start to the season with a 2-0 loss to Melbourne Knights. Jacob Colosimo’s double after the break was enough to see of Pascoe Vale, and the Knights maintain their 100% start to the season in league and cup.
Dandenong Thunder produced a gutsy display to overcome Green Gully with just ten men on Saturday evening. Kris Kioussis was the man to see red, after committing two bookable offences. The hosts were content with just a point, but Matt Millar’s goal in the 75th minute gave them all three points.
As if there hadn’t been enough drama already, Goulburn Valley Suns were on the wrong end of a five goal thriller against fellow country club Ballarat Red Devils. Dom Swinton netted a crucial early goal for the Red Devils before Craig Carley equalised from the spot. Swinton got another of his own just past the hour but Suns midfielder Kristian Sarkies had other ideas, equalising in the 89th minute after finishing off the rebound from his missed penalty. It was Ballarat who had the last laugh however, with Michael Trigger scoring direct from a corner in the third minute of injury time, giving the visitors their first ever win in the top flight.
On Sunday, Werribee City recorded a shock 2-1 win over Hume City who were to rue some poor defending at set pieces. After taking the lead through Aaron Turner, they let it slip after failing to deal with a deep free kick which Josh Groenewald eventually headed in. Steven Cudrig then headed in a corner in the second half to hand the home side a big victory.
Finally Northcote City must have forgotten the kickoff was at 3pm after Bentleigh Greens waltzed past them within seconds to score the fastest goal of the season yet when a completely free Anthony Proia tapped in David Stirton’s cross. Jamie Deabru made it two with a header from a Christian Cavallo corner, but the game became a true Grand Final replay after that. Northcote hit back when Jonathon Munoz tapped in the rebound from a Wade Dekker shot, before the youngster notched one of his own to equalise after the break. Luc Jeggo had the last laugh however, profiting from some poor goalkeeping to score Bentleigh’s third from range.
Finally in the A-League, Melbourne Victory failed to beat Sydney FC despite having dominant spells of possession. They went behind with Joel Chianese making the most of a rebound, a typically sloppy goal to concede for the Victory. James Troisi did equalise with a cool finish but in the end the home side will be left wondering what could have been.
It really has been a cracking week of football in Victoria, though we especially pray for the health of many NPL supporters whose teams played out some heart stopping moments. Here’s to hoping for more thrills and spills next week!