Round 6 of the Women’s Premier League opens with a bang as archrivals Bundoora and Heidelberg face off at Hillsview Reserve, while Casey face a test of their title credentials at home to EAP on Sunday. The Corner Flag reviews every single fixture ahead of this exciting weekend’s action.
Bundoora (2) vs Heidelberg (9)
3:00pm, Saturday 18th May 2013 Hillsview Reserve, South Morang
Form:
Bundoora – WWWLW
Heidelberg – DWLLL
Head to Head:
31 Mar 2012 – Heidelberg 3 Bundoora 3 (Olympic Village)
16 Jun 2012 – Bundoora 4 Heidelberg 2 (Hillsview Reserve)
Heidelberg desperately need to arrest an alarming slide in form, but they would surely have hoped for easier opposition than high-flying Bundoora. If they are to snap their three game losing streak, the Bergers will have to do it the hard way, away from home and against their bitter rivals. It’s as close to a derby as you can get in this division, and there will be no love lost between the two clubs. Bundoora have a depleted forward line, but Heidelberg still lack a recognised striker. Goals haven’t been hard to come by for the hosts despite the injuries, but anything can happen in a game like this.
Key Players:
Sarah Richardson (Bundoora) – The 2010 Gold Medal winner might take a back seat to her more illustrious teammates from time to time, but mistaking her for a minor part of the Bundy offensive arsenal would be a huge mistake. Richardson has recently been called up the Australian National Futsal team but showed she could dazzle on a grass pitch too as she notched three goals against Altona. She will lead the Bundy line in the continued absence of team mates Caitlin Friend and Rachel Alonso.
Erin Brennan (Heidelberg) – The American import from La Salle played her first game in Bergers colours last week, linking up well with captain Belinda Pannella and looking dangerous when leading the line. Although this did not result in any goals for the debutant, the converted midfielder will pose problems for the Bundoora defence if they’re not wary.
South Melbourne (1) vs Cairnlea (8)
3:00pm, Saturday 18th May 2013 Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
Form:
South Melbourne – WWWWW
Cairnlea – WLLLW
Head to Head:
21 Apr 2012 – South Melbourne 10 Cairnlea 1 (Lakeside Stadium)
08 Jul 2012 – Cairnlea 0 South Melbourne 1 (Cairnlea Park)
It’s hard to look past South Melbourne when you talk about early title contenders. The team have yet to concede a goal after five rounds, and have accounted for 35 goals without reply. Cairnlea on the other hand finally got their second win of the season but will have to dig deep to find answers to why they almost let a two goal lead slip away despite having the advantage of an extra player against a fired-up Preston. This looks to be easy pickings for South Melbourne, but they will have one eye on a heavyweight cup tie on Tuesday night against Box Hill. Cairnlea will be keen to start well, hit their opponents on the break and hope to catch them unawares. A big ask, but we’ve seen stranger things in football.
Key Players:
Sarah Sumner (South Melbourne) – South Melbourne don’t want for defenders (all you have to do is take a look at their bench most games) but it says much for Sumner that she’s managed to secure a starting spot in defence despite playing most of last season as a midfielder while at Preston. The petite central defender might not look the most intimidating of players, but her take no prisoners style has made her a very effective foil to the dependable Alex Cheal. This is what Cairnlea have to get through before they face WPL Goalkeeper of the Year Cassandra Dimovski. That’s pretty scary.
Nilsen Ozcan (Cairnlea) – Cairnlea has scored 9 league goals this season, a third of which have been claimed by Ozcan. The speedy winger might flit in and out of games at time, but all she needs is a bit of space and she can turn a game on its head. Turn on the afterburners and watch her go, the South Melbourne full backs will have their hands full if its her day.
Ashburton (7) vs Box Hill (6)
3:00pm, Sunday 19th May 2013 Ashburton Park, Ashburton
Form:
Ashburton – LLWWW
Box Hill – DDWWD
Head to Head:
04 May 2012 – Box Hill 3 Ashburton 0 (Wembley Park)
22 Jul 2012 – Ashburton 0 Box Hill 5 (Ashburton Park)
Ashburton has the form, Box Hill has the title pedigree – this game might be closer than you think. This writer might still be made to eat his words if it turns out to be a blowout, but there’s every chance that Ashburton will be able to snatch a result that seemed unlikely just three weeks ago. Starting the season with two straight losses, Ashburton have reeled off three wins in a row, including a fighting 1-0 victory against Bulleen on Monday. Coach Ariel Reigosa claimed to be dissatisfied with his team’s lack of organisation and shape on the night, but the way they held off a late Bulleen onslaught was admirable. They will need another similarly gutsy showing on Sunday afternoon.
Key Players:
Jesse Kotsikas (Ashburton) – Kotsikas has always been a threat from set pieces, and we saw some of that with the brilliant assist for Christine Pfeiffer’s winner on Monday, but we also saw some stellar defensive play from the Ashburton midfielder during the game. Sticking tight to Bulleen’s Jessica Tay for most of the game, Kotsikas completely shut her opponent out of the game and helped her team to a deserved victory.
Melissa Barbieri (Box Hill) – The veteran goalkeeper was minutes away from making her season debut, even getting on the team sheet before kick off, but a decision was made to play central defender Alkmini Stefanidis in goals instead. If Barbieri does make a belated appearance this weekend, there will be plenty of eyes watching to see how she does after a 10 month layoff.
Preston (11) vs Bulleen (10)
3:00pm, Sunday 19th May 2013 B.T. Connor Reserve, Reservoir
Form:
Preston – LLLLL
Bulleen – LLLDL
Head to Head:
None (Bullen were in State League 1 last season)
Bulleen will have had much to examine after their narrow loss to Ashburton on Monday. Many at the club thought a corner had been turned as they gained their first point of the season with an impressive draw away to Sandringham, but the team looked lacklustre and off-colour against a determined Ashburton side last round. Whether it was a case of half the team having a sudden, collective off-day or a draining 120 minute cup tie loss against Casey the previous week taking its toll, coach Adrian Drury will be keen to make sure there is no repeat. Preston have issues to sort out too, as they continue to stumble their way through the first part of the season. It was a promising that they came close to snatching a draw after going two goals down to Cairnlea, but it will have been worrying that it took them going a player down before they perked up and started going for the jugular. This match is shaping up to be vital for both teams if they are to turn their seasons around.
Key Players:
Antonia Boljesic (Preston) – The Preston midfielder found herself in an unfamiliar role on Sunday, playing right back against Cairnlea. While Boljesic started off a little shaky, she soon grew into her role, covering for Jessica Cvetkovska in the middle and pinging passes forward to Chloe Cosentino. There’s still plenty of work to be done but if she keeps improving, she might just have found herself a new position.
Emily Coppock (Bulleen) – The central defender will be keen to redeem herself after a stuttering performance last time out against Ashburton. The normally dependable central defensive partnership between Coppock and good friend Liana Iaconis seemed to have broken down, as both of them seemed to be on different wavelengths for large swaths of the game. The duo will have to sort it out quick, with the bustling Coppock a key figure if Bulleen’s defensive line is to hold.
Casey (5) vs EAP (4)
3:00pm, Sunday 19th May 2013 Comets Stadium, Cranbourne
Form:
Casey – LWLWW
EAP – WDWWL
Head to Head:
01 Apr 2012 – Casey 0 EAP 0 (Comets Stadium)
17 Jun 2012 – EAP 0 Casey 7 (DISC)
Fresh off a humbling loss to runaway leaders South Melbourne, EAP will not be best pleased to see a physical Casey side up next. While the promising EAP/NTC players have impressed so far this season, there is no denying that South Melbourne exploited several weaknesses in a 5-0 win at DISC. Of note was the absence of a plan B from EAP after failing to play out of the back, as South employed pressing tactics high up the pitch. Casey will have taken note, especially after EAP player-coach Kat Smith revealed that the onus was on her young team to continue with their style of play regardless of results. The Comets have been in strong form of late, overpowering Heidelberg with a combination or raw strength and speed. They will hope to dominate the smaller EAP team too, and nullify their ability to shoot from range.
Key Players:
Elsie Hibbert (Casey) – Hibbert is an underrated player who has made the right back slot her own at Casey. The defender is as solid as they come, strong in the tackle and efficient in possession. She will bomb up and down the flank all day, almost like an attacking wing back and can cause countless problems if left unchecked.
Bethany Mason-Jones (EAP) – EAP goalkeeper Mason-Jones was kept busy last weekend attempting to stop a deluge of goals against South Melbourne, and might be called upon once again to keep Casey’s powerful attempts at bay. The Box Hill product has already shown some signs that she’s capable of stepping up to this level though, and will be keen to prove herself once again.
Sandringham (3) vs Altona (12)
8:30pm, Monday 20th May 2013 Kingston Heath Reserve, Cheltenham
Form:
Sandringham – WWWDD
Altona – LLLLL
Head to Head:
None (Altona were in State League 1 last season)
Box Hill one weekend, Altona the next. Sandringham might be forgiven for thinking they can take it a little easy, but one suspects they will want to give a good showing ahead of a midweek cup tie against Casey. Coach Shaun Parton might view the draw at Wembley Park as two points lost instead of a point gained, but he would have been quietly satisfied as his team manoeuvred past another major obstacle to stay unbeaten. Meanwhile, Altona can’t seem to get back to winning ways this season as a heavy 9-0 loss to Bundoora pushed them down to bottom spot on goal difference. Coach Nathan Rogers will have been busy in his quest at finding a replacement goalkeeper at short notice, but keep in mind that Sandringham have been playing without a specialist goalkeeper since Peta Horman retired. Altona will do well to imitate fellow promotion side Bulleen who came away with a point last time they were here.
Key Players:
Christie Parton (Sandringham) – Parton is one half of a pair of sisters at Sandringham currently, but unlike younger sibling Stephanie, she is a vital part of the defence. The Sandringham captain’s calmness under pressure and timing in the tackle is second to none at the club, and a base for the pretty play further up her pitch by her more attack minded team mates.
The Goalkeeper (Altona) – Whoever goes in goals will be in for one hell of a ride. Take a look at the attacking lineup facing you: Emma Runnalls, Sienna Fogarty, Stephanie Tanti, Nicola Prins. Best of luck, sincerely, everyone.
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