Friday’s opening game saw seven goals split between the struggling Casey and Monbulk, with the former triumphing 5-2. The goals kept flowing as Bundoora United piled on five unanswered against the FFV U17 Girls.
The two other games on Saturday afternoon were tamer, with Bundoora and FC Bulleen cancelling each other out with a 1-1 result in the biggest game of the round. South Melbourne nabbed a narrow 1-0 win over Box Hill thanks to a debut goal to Cristina Cardaci.
Cairnlea got some much needed points by beating Ashburton two goals to one whilst the round’s conclusion at Olympic Village saw Heidelberg and Sandringham play out a thriller to the tune of 3-2 to the home team.
Formation: 4-3-2-1
GK: Anna Lanning (Boroondara Eagles)
A clean sheet for the Eagles custodian who stood up the challenge of keeping a resilient NTC side quiet. She was tested a number of times by Emily Harbis and co. and whilst she didn’t have anything too difficult to deal with, she kept her concentration well and was rewarded as a result.
RB: Emma Robers (Sandringham SC)
A playmaker growing up, 16 year-old Robers has slotted seamlessly into the Sandringham defence displaying a touch and football brain that belies her tender age. She showed good positioning all night, keeping the dangerous Kendra Jones quiet in the first half before the American swapped wings with compatriot Michelle Verzi. It was little surprise that the Bergers were limited to starting most of their attacks from their right wing
CB: Salma Tawfic (Bulleen Lions)
Salma Tawfic played her part in Bulleen’s draw against the in-form Bundoora, stepping up in the absence of Alex Natoli who was overseas. She was a rock for the away side, and read the play intelligently when Bundoora started coming in a hectic second half.
CB: Laura Croft (Casey Comets)
Croft – who’s been more accustomed this season to playing a shielding role in front of the defence – had a fantastic game in the centre of defence for Casey, keeping goal shy Monbulk relatively quiet for the first half. She was voted by the match reporter present as her sides star performer, with a stunning goal from close to half way capping off a decent performance.
LB: Gulcan Koca (Bundoora United)
Koca slipped away from her usual midfield role into left back in the absence of Claudia Fruscalzo and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and played out of her skin. Tasked with the job of keeping star Lia Privitelli quiet, she did an outstanding job before the fleet footed winger was subbed out. Using the freedom as a licence to roam, she pushed forward, providing plenty of drive and delivery from the flank.
RM: Cristina Cardaci (South Melbourne)
The 16 year-old scored her first goal for the club and was nominated as player of the match. She looked the more likely of her teammates, and was rewarded with the winner in a narrow 1-0 win. Here’s hoping there’s more to come in the future.
CM: Elise Kyrgios (Heidelberg United)
It was a struggle to pick out a single standout player from the Bergers midfield in their smash and grab win against Sandringham, such was the high level of performance from the side in the second half. It is Kyrgios that gets the nod after her silky performance went a long way towards her side overrunning Sandringham’s strong midfield, although in truth, any of the midfield three could’ve taken this spot.
LM: Olivia Edwards (Bulleen Lions)
The Tasmanian product has worked herself into some decent form this season, and it’s come at the right time of the year with the WPL finals series approaching. She troubled the Bundy defence with her delivery and came back to haunt her old club by scoring her sides only goal.
AM: Racheal Quigley (Boroondara Eagles)
Racheal Quigley looks a class above the competition at times, with her sublime ability on show against the NTC girls. She netted her second brace in three games and – much like the one against Sandringham – she had world class finishing to thank. Assuming the role as shadow striker, Quigley opened her account with a stunning solo effort, dribbling from the middle of the park before unleashing a volley from outside the box.
AM: Angela Durston-Ryan (Casey Comets)
Playing in an advanced wide midfield role for the Comets, Angela Durston-Ryan nabbed two goals to help her side post a convincing 5-2 victory over Monbulk. Not only proving to be a goal threat, she also impressed with her crisp passing and movement.
ST: Nicola Prins (Sandringham SC)
What a difference Prins has made to an out of sorts Sandringham, who now suddenly loom as a finals dark horse. Her return from injury has seen the forward score three goals in two games, including a brace against Heidelberg United this week. With her and Runnalls running the show in the first hour, Sandringham looked much more like the side of last year. Her movement was first class, breaking the line numerous occasions, although her finishing touch was lacking at times, but that’ll come with match fitness.
Substitutes:
Frances Land (Bulleen Lions)
Frances Land had a decent outing in goals for Bulleen, conceding only the one fortuitous goal. She stood up with a number of important saves to keep Bundy at bay.
Janna Lawson (FFV U17 Girls)
The left midfielder had a good game in a losing side, providing the largest threat on the Boroondara goals. She often cut in from her starting position, and tested Anna Lanning in goals a number of times.
Monique Nogueira (Monbulk Rangers)
The Monbulk winger may be heading overseas soon but she sure signed off in magnificent fashion, putting the ball in from the corner flag to give her side some hope against Casey. Suddenly goals are looking a lot easier to come by for the Rangers.
Suzanna Asambo (Cairnlea FC)
Cairnlea’s hero from the bench finds herself there for this weeks edition of the Team of the Week. Not the only substitute to net a late winner – see Heidelberg’s Maggie Eudes – Asambo’s goal gifted Cairnlea a valuable three points.
Laura Di Clemente (Heidelberg United)
Laura Di Clemente had a decent game as the central figure for Heidelberg, and whilst she didn’t score on the night, she looked threatening throughout. It was her mazing run on the right of the box which won Heidelberg’s penalty and ticket back into the game.