A Lisa De Vanna double was enough for Bundoora United to see off the threat of the Senior NTC 2-0, in a decent tune-up match ahead of next week’s finals series.
Results across the grounds – namely a 2-2 draw between Heidelberg United and South Melbourne – saw Bundoora miss out on the Finals double chance on goal difference.
The two sides possessed pace in abundance, particularly in wide areas, and got plenty of chances to express themselves in those areas.
But the wet and blustery conditions across the Hillsview Reserve pitch made for tough watching as both teams struggled to find the killer ball.
Enza Barilla fired a warning shot over the bar on 11 minutes for the hosts before Lisa De Vanna forced NTC ‘keeper Teresa Morrissey into action as she rushed out of her area to strip the Matildas forward of possession just outside the 18-yard-box.
The NTC worked their way into some good positions with most of their attacks coming via patient build-up play from the back.
Joey Cartwright struck a tame effort into the hands of Bethany Mason-Jones in net for Bundoora, before the best passage of football for the first half saw the NTC strike the woodwork.
A delicate lobbed pass from Morrissey under pressure found Richmond in space across the left wing, who exchanged passes with Melindaj Barbieri before eventually cutting back into Adriana Taranto.
The midfielder curled an effort over the head of Mason-Jones, who managed a hand on the dipping shot, which then struck the frame of the goal, back into the path of Emily Harbis who couldn’t poke home the rebound.
A couple of half-chances to De Vanna and Louisa Bisby went begging in a forgettable first half, before the rain took a hold of the clash in the second 45 minutes.
Bisby had two early chances thwarted by both keeper and defence, as Morrissey first held a low effort taken on the turn, before Coby Mcinerney bravely blocked a more powerful effort, all within the first 10 minutes of the half.
Whitney Knight forced a strong diving save from Mason-Jones at her right side, striking cleanly from an acute angle to earn a corner just beyond the hour mark.
The breakthrough came soon after that, as De Vanna struck in the 70th minute to put the hosts ahead in what had been a tight tussle up to that point.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic bolted up the left wing to start the attack for Bundoora, squaring the ball up for Bisby, who exchanged quick passes with Stacey Papadopoulos before eventually freeing De Vanna up inside the attacking area.
Her initial shot was well smothered by Morrissey, but a kind rebound fell straight back to the veteran forward, who rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
Papadopoulos had a chance of her own soon after as Rachel Alonso found her at the top of the box, but her strike lacked conviction on its way wide.
Cartwright was picked out by a raking ball from deep inside the NTC defence on 82 minutes; the forward outmuscling Bundy’s Gulcan Koca to get onto the end of the delivery, but ultimately blazed the shot high and wide.
The afternoon was capped off by a second to De Vanna, who stormed down the left wing before striking a low finish across the face of goals.
Bundoora face off against Heidelberg United in the first week of WPL Finals, with details on the fixture to be released during the week.
***
Bundoora United 2 (De Vanna 70’ 90’) defeated Senior NTC 0 at Hillsview Reserve [HT: 0-0]
Bundoora United Squad: 1. Bethany Mason-Jones (GK), 9. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, 10. Gulcan Koca, 23. Jess Pitts, 13. Claudia Fruscalzo, 12. Daniella Galluccio, 16. Louisa Bisby, 14. Rachel Alonso, 17. Stacey Papadopoulos, 17. Enza Barilla, 3. Lisa De Vanna, 21. Claudia Dimasi, 22. Deanna Fruscalzo, 24. Mia Killick, 15. Krystal McClusky, 4. Giulia Sepe
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Senior NTC Squad: 16. Teresa Morrissey (GK), 31. Coby McInerney, 2. Jaimee Williams, 3. Natasha Dakic, 17. Hayley Richmond, 6. Adriana Taranto, 8. Melissa Taranto, 14. Edith Fordyce-Croker, 25. Melindaj Barbieri, 13. Annabel Martin, 11. Whitney Knight, 9. Joey Cartwright, 1. Erin Hudson (GK), 7. Emily Harbis, 15. Akiesha Sandhu, 33. Ashleigh Lefevre
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil