Candice Sallama is to stay at Cairnlea FC after turning down a move to Bundoora, The Corner Flag can reveal.
The goalkeeper is held in high esteem at Cairnlea and was involved in a thrilling 3-2 come from behind win over FC Bulleen Lions on Monday night.
High-flying Bundoora are believed to have made contact over the weekend and coach Mark Torcaso was at the Veneto Club to watch the game but the goalkeeper’s mind was made up by the time the match ended.
Sallama is believed to have answered Bundoora’s enquiry with a firm but polite no after celebrating the win with ecstatic team mates.
“I don’t think I needed to say it in too much words, because I think he knew when he watched us play,” Sallama said.
“The passion… it felt good to be a part of it.”
The Cairnlea goalkeeper has been a vital part of the club since helping them achieve promotion two seasons ago, with her performances between the sticks impressing many in the stands.
This was not the first attempt to lure Sallama away from her club this season by a rival WPL team, and it might not be the last if she keeps up her performances but the goalkeeper seems happy to stay at her club for now.
“Since I’ve been at Cairnlea I was welcomed with open arms into the family that we are,” Sallama said.
“We’ve had our ups and downs on the field but have always stuck together and pulled through and proven we are a force to be reckoned with on match days.”
Cairnlea move up to eighth in the table with their third win this season, but coach Jamie Monteith would have been most pleased with the fighting spirit shown on the night as Bulleen saw their chance of a first ever WPL win slip out of their grasp.
Bundoora meanwhile are expected to turn their attentions to other potential targets, with Torcaso claiming he was also keeping tabs on Bulleen custodian Megan Thompson last night.