Due to time constraints, this week we have provided a wrap up of the Women’s Premier League week that was. Whilst there isn’t a game-by-game summary of the NPL to enjoy this week, have a scroll down and check out The Corner Flag’s Team of the Week as well as an updated NPL table and Top Scorers list.
Friday’s opening Women’s Premier League 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.
Monbulk Rangers SC 2 defeated by Casey Comets 5 at Monbulk Recreation Reserve
Casey Comets did what they would’ve expected to do, with Monbulk losing out in the clash of the lowly sides. Seven goals for the game were shared 5-2 to the visitors. Angela Durston-Ryan netted twice for her side
Tayla Vlaeminck, Laura Croft and Jade Barnden, all nabbing singles for the Comets with Monbulk also doing damage on the scoreboard. Nikki Ceeney and Monique Nogueira both played well for the opposition, nabbing a goal each, with Nogueira’s a spectacular cross that drifted in. The damage was done at 4-0 before they troubled the scoreboard.
Bundoora United 1 drew with FC Bulleen 1 at Hillsview Recreation Reserve
The clash between two of the heavyweight sides of the competition ended with the teams cancelling each other out. With both sides harbouring ambitions of top spot, the draw ultimately helped neither side as South won to extend their lead at the top. Fourth place Boroondara also gained ground on both sides.
Bulleen would’ve been the more disappointed of the two sides, with the away term holding the lead for half the match. Bundy found a late equaliser through Maika Ruyter-Hooley who was at the right place at the right time to see a clearance smashed into her and then into the net.
The match opened up through Olivia Edwards and her equally spectacular goal, hitting home from the wide position. Ultimately it wasn’t enough as the two sides end the round second (Bulleen, 26 points) and third (Bundoora, 24).
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South Melbourne 1 defeated Box Hill 0 at Lakeside Stadium
Sixteen year old Cristina Cardaci adorned herself to the fans at Lakeside Stadium, slotting home what proved to be the winner on the hour mark.
It was a surprisingly scrappy game for both sides, with youth providing the engine and drive for the prevailing side.
FFV U17 Girls 0 defeated by Boroondara Eagles 5 at State Football Centre
A classy Boroondara Eagles turned up the heat on the top three, sending an message to the competition at the same time. A Racheal Quigley brace led the way for the Eagles against the U17’s side.
There was plenty of support for Adelaide United’s big name with fellow star players Emma Hubbard and Alex Gummer netting as well, before substitute Bindi Bryce completed the rout in the 84th minute. The game wasn’t as far out of the NTC girls grasps as the score line suggested, with the home side creating a few chances for themselves.
Ashburton SC 1 defeated by Cairnlea 2 at Knox Regional Football Centre
A classic was played out in the second clash between two struggling teams this round as Cairnlea put a much needed three points on the board courtesy of a late Suzanna Asembo goal.
Bridie Kean was gifted her first as she preyed on a moment of confusion from keeper and defender, rolling the ball into the back of the net. A Christine Pfeiffer diving header gave Ashburton a chance at all three points but Asembo – off the bench – made sure her side took all the points home.
Heidelberg United 3 defeated Sandringham SC 2 at Olympic Village
An absolute classic game of football was on show for those lucky enough to have attended the theatre that was Olympic Village, as Heidelberg scored in injury time to complete a comeback 3-2 win over an improving Sandringham SC.
With a Nicola Prins double cancelling out Kendra Jones’s opener for the Bergers, the game looked done and dusted as Sandringham continued to build momentum.
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Two key decisions later and the game was going all the Warriors way. First Emma Runnalls departed the pitch for a second yellow in the space of 30 seconds, before the referee awarded a penalty for a trip in the box. Julia Nicolaci made no mistake from the spot to set up a tense finish.
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Round 15 in the NPL Victoria saw a tightly contested mix of results with only two games featuring a deficit greater than one goal.
Hume City defeated defeated Werribee 3-0 whilst Ballarat conquered bottom placed Goulburn Valley with an identical scoreline.
Three fixtures concluded with the scores at 2-1, which included an 87th minute winning from Tomislav Uskok as Knights ended Pascoe Vale’s five game winning streak.
Oakleigh and Green Gully both salvaged late draws over their opposition whilst South restored their six point lead at the top to six points.