Photo: Natasha Morello
Two goals in the space of 90 seconds saw Bulleen Lions and Box Hill United earn a share of the points in a 1-1 draw at the Veneto Club.
After Hayley Geurts headed Box Hill into an 84th minute lead, it appeared as though the visitors would go on to secure a second win of the season.
Yet the adage you’re most vulnerable after scoring rang true on this occasion as Bulleen equalised through Alex Amore exactly 89 seconds after the opener flew in at David Barro Stadium.
The game carried with it an interesting sub-plot, with both coaches matched up against their former sides; Bob McGuinness last coached Bulleen Lions in 2015, while Paul Kilpatrick was assistant coach in Box Hill’s triumphant 2012 WPL campaign.
Likewise, the two number ones starting at each end swapped clubs in the off-season, with reigning NPLW goalkeeper of the year Emily Shields featuring for the Lions, while the visitors called on former Bulleen Lions junior Alyssa Dall’oste.
It was the latter who started the busier of the two, as the hosts enjoyed the early run of play.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic flashed a header wide of goals, while she was also involved heavily int the build-up for a chance that fell the way of Amore, but her scooped effort was no match for Dall’oste
The youngster was properly tested on 14 minutes to deny Lia Privitelli, whose blistering pace carried her past two defenders on the right before eventually seeing her shot from the angle palmed away to safety.
Bulleen did well to limit their opposition, even in the absence of defensive duo Emily Dolzan and Alex Natoli, however Box Hill grew into the contest and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure from set-pieces towards the end of the half.
A succession of corners from the training ground ended in Hayley Richmond hitting the woodwork from the first, Kristina Hall denied by Shields from a tight angle for the second and Richmond lobbing over the net for the third.
The second half saw the visitors continue to grow in stature and Fotopoulos had a big chance presented to her when a loose ball spilled inside the box.
Although her late run into the box was timed perfectly to meet the ball, Shields was able to rush out to smother the shot with a strong save.
There was then concerns for Privitelli after she hit the deck following a collision with Maren Heller, especially given her past injury record.
She continued for a while, and was her side’s bright spark on the wing, but was substituted later on.
Box Hill were rewarded for their endeavours in the 84th minute when skipper Georgia Koutrouvelis – who had an outstanding game at right-back – collected a wide free-kick to deliver a cross to the near post, which substitute Guerts was able to nod in past Shields.
It was no time at all before another substitute in Keely Lockhart had a shot saved by Dall’oste, which then fell into the path of Amore.
The winger had toiled hard all night without much cheer but she finally had a reason to celebrate after following up to smash the ball into the back of the net to emphatically deliver her side a share of the spoils.