The king is dead, long live the king. South Melbourne’s 1-2 loss to Box Hill United in Round 21 was the first in 21 league games, and meant the end of their unbeaten league streak. It remains to be seen if it’s a blessing or a curse, this close to the Finals. On one hand, losing to one of your closest title rivals and defending champions might signal weakness, but the end of the streak could also take some pressure off the runaway leaders.
Elsewhere, Sandringham won a thriller against Bundoora despite letting a two goal lead slip, while Bulleen flattered to deceive before smashing three second half goals against Altona. Casey kept the pressure up on Heidelberg with a convincing 4-0 win over Ashburton, only for their Finals rivals to win 3-0 against Cairnlea and bring the battle for 5th spot to the final week.
EAP had a mixed week, comfortably winning 3-0 at home to Preston, before dominating a catch up fixture against Ashburton in midweek, then proceeding to lose the game to a solitary goal. It was definitely an improvement though, after a winless run prior to last weekend. Perhaps the youngsters from EAP can end their season with a bang this Sunday.
Without further ado, we give you the best performers from the weekend that was.
Starting Eleven
Lucy Kapusta: Maybe we should stop being surprised by this part-time goalkeeper from Sandringham. Peta Horman’s brief comeback hasn’t hurt the team too much thanks to the efforts from Lucy Kapusta and Sian Rogers as they rotate the gloves every weekend. It was Kapusta’s turn between the sticks against Bundoora, and boy did she impress. The Bundoora strikers couldn’t find a way past in the first half, with Stefanie Oddo in particular kicking herself as the Sandringham goaltender got her body in the way of everything they threw at her.
Jaimee Williams: You’re never too young if you’re good enough. Williams’ introduction to the EAP team has been a case of rather late than never, as she turned in yet more solid performance against Preston and Ashburton. Providing lots of run and dash out of her fullback position, Williams gives the EAP defence that extra dimension in their never-ending quest to play out the back.
Christie Parton: There’s been plenty of praise for the elder Parton this season, and she showed exactly why on Saturday at Hillsview Reserve. The Sandringham central defender was not going to let any Bundoora attackers past cheaply, and proceeded to mount a commendable rearguard action for much of the see-saw first half. Bundoora were left frustrated at the break, and for good reason.
Jessica Humble: The Box Hill defender had a good day on the pitch, as she provided bite both in defence and attack. Besides shackling a dangerous Laura Spiranovic for 90 minutes, Humble also popped up at the other end to score a vital equaliser and send Box Hill on its way to a famous victory. An immense performance from one of the team’s most experienced players.
Stephanie Catley: At times, it looks like the Matildas wingback is playing on a different plane from her peers in the Women’s Premier League. It wasn’t a game-winning performance on Saturday, but it was still an outstanding effort from Catley as she led her team to a vital three points. Chances were going astray on both sides before the left back made a fine run into the box to knock home the opening goal. Sandringham will miss Catley come Finals time, her skills are irreplaceable at this level.
Emily Hulbert: The key piece in Box Hill’s win over South Melbourne, Hulbert led her midfield unit in shutting down all attacking avenues, cutting out space and making crucial tackles. The Box Hill midfielder has been reinvented in the middle of the park this season, and could perhaps have hit even greater heights if not for an unfortunate injury against the very same opponents during the Knockout Cup semi-final. No matter, for Hulbert is now making up for lost time. She could very well be a difference maker come Finals.
Cindy Lay: It’s been a bit of an inconsistent season for the EAP midfielder, as she’s struggled to make an impression on games. When she does get it right though, Lay’s influence on a game can be frightening. The two EAP matches showcased her talents this week, as she orchestrated the win against Preston with a well taken brace, before leading her side to a dominant showing in a surprising one goal loss to Ashburton.
Alexandra Gummer: Casey might just miss out on Finals for a second season running, but it’s in no way down to Gummer. The indefatigable midfielder has been giving it a 100% and a bit more since Day 1, defying critics with a series of lung-busting displays. A goal and an assist rounded off a fine evening’s work against Ashburton as the on-scene reporter described her contribution as having “passed well, tackled even better”.
Padiki Dade: She’s made enough appearances in these pages to consign her previous impressions as a one trick pony to the bin, as Dade showed once again that she wasn’t done yet with this season. The Box Hill player did well switching between the forward line and midfield, using her pace to good effect and getting in all the right places at the right times.
Lia Privitelli: For much of the first half, Bulleen struggled despite having the lion’s share of possession. Their attackers were swarming around the Altona half, fashioning chance after chance and yet they couldn’t find a way past the obstinate Altona defenders. Then on came Privitelli at half time and she proceeded to turn the match on its head. The Bulleen forward turned defenders inside out with some delightful direct running, handing fellow substitute Cassandra Neate the first goal on a platter, before smashing home the second to her teammates’ delight.
Enza Barilla: The Bundoora attacker might not have succeeded in snatching a draw for her team against Sandringham, but gains selection thanks to the most exquisite of goals. For a moment, it looked like she had snatched a share of the points with her long range shot that nestled into the top corner of the Sandringham net. And what a goal it was, on the run and right on the money, looking all the world like it had been laser guided into the very spot where it rustled the net. We’ll hope to see plenty more of that come Finals, and perhaps a little more of that never-say-die spirit too from the Bundoora captain.
Substitutes
Candice Sallama: Heidelberg raced to a 3-0 lead against Cairnlea in the first half, then abruptly ran into a brick wall as the Cairnlea defence shut them down for the rest of the game, marshalled superbly by Sallama who also made several outstanding saves.
Erin Brennan: The American import offers Heidelberg both skill and versatility, showcasing both qualities as she scored against Cairnlea from a key position in midfield, then proceeded to lead the defence to a clean sheet in the second half.
Tessa Sernio: Bulleen’s captain is ever present in midfield, happy firing off passes as she is running at the opposition. Sernio is what keeps the Bulleen midfield ticking, and she provided plenty of run and carry against Altona on Sunday.
Belinda Pannella: A job well done for the Heidelberg captain, as she scored in the 19th and 40th minutes to give Heidelberg a vital three points in their race for a Finals spot. Ever the perfectionist, Pannella will have been more concerned with the way her side failed to add to their advantage in the second half though.
Brittany Dudley-Smith: Dudley-Smith didn’t score, but had a huge impact for her team as Casey defended from the front. Her forward pressure was enormous in causing turnovers and her workrate and intensity remained high throughout the 90 minutes.
Team of the Week XI: L.Kapusta (Sandringham); Williams (EAP), C.Parton (Sandringham), Humble (Box Hill), Catley (Sandringham); Hulbert (Box Hill), Lay (EAP), Gummer (Casey); Dade (Box Hill), Barilla (Bundoora), Privitelli (Bulleen)
Substitutes: Sallama (Cairnlea), Brennan (Heidelberg), Sernio (Bulleen), Panella (Heidelberg). Dudley-Smith (Casey)
Many thanks to all those who contributed to this week’s edition of the Team of the Week, including reporters Sean Ellicott, Katie Lambeski, Andrew Bishara and Tomasz Ng as well as numerous match and club officials and players.