Bulleen Lions and Galaxy United were the big winners of Round 10 action with key victories over big rivals, defeating Alamein FC and Calder United respectively. Box Hill also enjoyed a drought-breaking win over Heidelberg United, while Bayside and Southern played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
In particular, in a similar result to when Alamain visited in Round 3, Bulleen extended their lead at the top of the table to six points with a 3-1 win over fourth placed Alamein – albeit having played an extra game.
Beattie Goad started proceedings by latching onto a ball into the box from Caitlin Friend, and finishing past Melissa Maizels.
Melina Ayres hit back from a set piece by looping a header past Lauren Farrugia after the hosts couldn’t clear their lines.
With Alamein perhaps looking good value to earn a result, disaster struck in the 72nd minute when Maizels couldn’t deal with a bobbling ball, spilling in the path of Lia Privitelli for a tap in at the back post
Alison Baker then tapped in the late sealer via another classy assist from Friend.
In a testament to their depth, Bulleen did it without Scott, Dolzan, Natoli, Gudelj and Boudreau.
Their closest rivals at the moment, Calder United, slumped to an uncharacteristic 3-0 home defeat against Galaxy United.
It looked ominous early when Laura Spiranovic scored the first of her brace following a flick on from a corner kick.
Jess Pitts almost equalised via a corner situation as well when her volley thundered into the bar.
That’s as close as they got because a neat finish to Kariah White, along with a tap in by Spiranovic when Beth Mason Jones missed a clearance, blew the score out to 3-0 in the space of a few minutes.
The result closes the gap between second and third to a solitary point.
Heidelberg missed the chance to catch up on the top four with a loss away to Box Hill.
It was a low-key and at times scrappy game at Wembley Park, but Box Hill secured a crucial 1-0 result over the surprisingly lacklustre visitors for their third win of the season.
In a largely subdued first half, the contest looked to burst to life in the second half when a cross whipped in was put in the back of the net by Kristina Hall, but a foul was called on Melanie Camilleri in the process when she slid in stretching for the ball and cleaned up keeper Christine Fonua in the process.
Hall did have a significant role to play in the eventual winner. It all started with a pinpoint diagonal ball from Maddie Richardson at the back, with Hall nodding it down for substitute Pedic to deliver a classy lob over Fonua with a first touch effort.
Box Hill will now have the chance to overtake the NTC and sit on equal points as Heidelberg when they face the former in a midweek fixture.
Bayside United and Southern United played out a second consecutive draw – the midweek Team App Cup game ending in a penalty win to Bayside – with a 2-2 scoreline at Kingston Heath.
Courtney Conrad’s ball was met by Emma Robers for a delightful volley in the 12th minute.
That was cancelled out just after the restart when Tiffany Eliadis teed up Saphri Lines for her fourth goal of the season with a long-range effort.
Conrad and Robers again combined, albeit with roles reversed, when the midfielder flicked on for the Canadian to finish neatly in the 56th minute.
Southern again clawed back the deficit and netted the late equaliser – the club’s third straight league draw – through Eliadis, who benefited from Brittany Dudley-Smith’s assist on her long-awaited return.
Image: Matt Johnson