Round 8 of the Women’s Premier League throws up some interesting encounters as a winless Bulleen visit unbeaten South Melbourne while Preston host Altona with both teams looking for maximum points in a bottom of the table encounter. The Corner Flag reviews every single fixture ahead of this exciting weekend’s action.
Bundoora (2) vs Casey (5)
1:00pm, Saturday 1st June 2013 Hillsview Recreation Reserve, South Morang
Form:
Bundoora – WLWWW
Casey – LWWWL
Head to Head:
05 May 2012 – Casey 0 Bundoora 1 (Comets Stadium)
21 Jul 2012 – Bundoora 2 Casey 2 (Hillsview Reserve)
The first game of the weekend is a curious one. Bundoora and Casey have had relatively decent campaigns so far, with both teams comfortably in the top half of the table. Casey have lost thrice this season, against South Melbourne, Box Hill and an amazing 5-4 opening day reverse away to Cairnlea while Bundoora have the single blip at home to Box Hill. But there are problems below the surface, with Bundoora struggling to cope without any fit strikers and Casey finding it hard against the better teams in the league. Whether either team can get their act together this weekend and make a statement is anyone’s guess, but Bundoora will have to do it without the services of Brianna Davey as the goalkeeper is off to Canberra with the Matildas. Caitlin Friend is on the road to recovery, but it will still be a week or two before she is back in training. Meanwhile, Casey should have a clean bill of health and will look to banish any demons from a close 2-0 loss to South Melbourne last week.
Key Players:
Melissa Missailidis (Bundoora) – Bundoora’s defensive linchpin will have her hands full against Casey’s attackers but coach Mark Torcaso will be confident that she’s up to the task. Missailidis is often detailed to mark the opposition’s danger player and odds are you’ll find her alongside Brittany Dudley-Smith on Saturday. The outcome of this personal duel might just decide the match.
Kelly Soles (Casey) – Soles started the season as Casey’s no. 1 and despite a few shaky moments, she seems to have grown into her role. Last week out against South was a personal fillip as she kept a trigger happy South Melbourne to 2 goals with some fine late saves against star striker Laura Spiranovic. Enza Barilla and co. will be a different kettle of fish entirely but Soles and her defence will be up for the challenge.
South Melbourne (1) vs Bulleen (10)
3:00pm, Saturday 1st June 2013 Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
Form:
South Melbourne – WWWWW
Bulleen – LDLDL
Head to Head:
None (Bulleen were in State League 1 last season)
Still unbeaten and with an overall 44-0 goal difference, South Melbourne are the form team in the competition at the moment. That also means that every team is out to beat the table toppers though and this week won’t be any different. Bulleen are still searching for their first ever win after a wrenching late loss to Cairnlea on Monday, a result coach Adrian Drury felt was undeserved. It will take a brave person to back them against the league leaders, but the Lions are free of pressure and with nothing to lose this Saturday. South Melbourne will be missing the services of Helina Vunderl-Messis (ACL) and Jessica Calder (knee) while Bulleen have Emily Coppock (foot) out. Salma Tawfic will most likely face a late fitness test.
Key Players:
Lucrece Laverdure (South Melbourne) – Laverdure offers bang for your buck – she might not be scoring in bucket loads at the moment but one thing she does offer is consistency. Six games played, six goals scored, that is a fine return for any WPL striker. Usually deployed as a foil for main striker Laura Spiranovic, Laverdure will hit you hard and fast if your defence falls asleep or collapses on Spiranovic. Bulleen will do well to take note.
Ashleigh Beagley (Bulleen) – If there’s one danger player that South Melbourne’s defence has to watch out for, it’s definitely going to be Beagley. The Bulleen forward was back to her best on Monday night, tearing forward to score the opener with only 45 seconds on the clock, making it easily the fastest goal in the WPL this season. Despite nursing a foot injury, Beagley completed 90 minutes without any complications and will likely be ready to front up at Lakeside Stadium.
Ashburton (6) vs Heidelberg (9)
3:00pm, Sunday 2nd June 2013 Ashburton Park, Ashburton
Form:
Ashburton – WWWLW
Heidelberg – LLLLL
Head to Head:
15 Apr 2012 – Ashburton 1 Heidelberg 1 (Ashburton Park)
23 Jun 2012 – Heidelberg 4 Ashburton 3 (Olympic Village)
What a turnaround for Ashburton! A poor start to the season has been all but forgotten recently as they have racked up four wins in the last five games to sit pretty in sixth spot. The same cannot be said for Heidelberg though, as they continue their free fall down the standings. The team from Olympic Village will always give a good account of themselves, but recent results have been disappointing and might take a toll on a young team. A win here might give them a timely boost, but Ashburton will be determined to make the most of all it’s winnable games. This certainly counts as one.
Key Players:
Christine Pfeiffer (Ashburton) – Struggling against Altona in the first 45 minutes last weekend, Ashburton had their captain to thank as she came through with a second half double. The self confessed Dortmund fan had been up all night watching the Champions League final, but still had enough in the tank as she turned on the style and secured an important victory for her team. Ashburton will once again look to her consistency and leadership against Heidelberg.
Penny Bakopoulos (Heidelberg) – The central midfielder is an essential cog in the Heidelberg team, offering plenty going forward in the absence of a specialist striker. A foul on Bakopoulos last weekend led to a free kick consolation but Bakopoulos will be aware that more is required now that the team is under the pump. The triumvate of Belinda Pannella, Julia Nicolaci and Bakopoulos will have to be firing on all cylinders if they are to get anything out of this game and their experience will be vital.
Preston (11) vs Altona (12)
3:00pm, Sunday 2nd June 2013 B.T. Connor Reserve - Genis Steel Stadium, Reservoir
Form:
Preston – LLLDL
Altona – LLLLL
Head to Head:
None (Altona were in State League 1 last season)
This bottom of the table clash might have far reaching consequences. Both teams have yet to properly recover from a disastrous start to the season, but there have been signs of recovery of late. A result here would give one team a boost while possibly quashing whatever dreams the other team had. Neither Preston nor Altona will want to be on the receiving end of another loss, for there will probably be no more winnable game in the entire division. Altona showed some promise in the first half against Ashburton last weekend, while Preston were matching it with Box Hill and even scored an equaliser until they conceded an unfortunate second goal. Which side will blink first on Sunday? Head down to B. T. Connor Reserve for the answer, things are heating up at the pointy end.
Key Players:
Michelle Duffy (Altona) – Duffy was a lively presence as she returned for her team last weekend against Ashburton, coming close to scoring on a few occasions in the first half. The central midfielder has bags of ability and a possible partnership in the middle with Amy Jackson would be an exciting possibility for Altona fans. Will that happen on Sunday? We certainly hope so!
Casey Naumovski (Preston) – The Preston midfielder’s spectacular equaliser against Box Hill last Friday was one positive to come out of the game. In a sustained period of pressure that we’ve rarely seen from her team this season, Naumovski brought down a brilliant cross field ball from Liz Eyar before smashing it into the top corner of the goal. Preston will be looking for more of the same from her against Altona.
Cairnlea (8) vs Box Hill (4)
3:00pm, Sunday 2nd June 2013 Cairnlea Park, Cairnlea
Form:
Cairnlea – LLWLW
Box Hill – WWDWW
Head to Head:
18 May 2012 – Box Hill 2 Cairnlea 0 (Wembley Park)
12 Jul 2012 – Cairnlea 1 Box Hill 3 (Cairnlea Park)
There’s nothing like a come from behind win to get a team fired up and Cairnlea’s escape act against Bulleen will have done just that. Things have livened up at Cairnlea since Jamie Monteith’s introduction and the team will be hoping that they have momentum on their side going into a crunch fixture against Box Hill. The defending champions have been going about their business quietly but surely, and several key first team players will be fresh after rotation against Preston. Whatever the case, Box Hill are still one of three unbeaten teams in the competition. Good luck Cairnlea, you’re going to need it.
Key Players:
Jasmine Rachwalski (Cairnlea) – Tijen Hussein caught the eye with a spectacular performance on Monday evening, but it was Rachwalski on the other wing who fired home the winner and helped Cairnlea claim all three points. Rachwalski has lots of dash in her and will keep motoring up and down the flank over the course of a game. Her form’s good, she’s got an eye for goal and Box Hill will have to be wary.
Elaina Vatcky (Box Hill) – One of those rested with a stint on the bench against Preston, Vatcky showed the fans what they were missing as she came on late to smash in a goal and put Box Hill 4-1 up on the night. The winger has a genuine turn of space and is a goal threat on any day. Something tells me the Cairnlea full backs will have their hands full this Sunday at Cairnlea Park.
Sandringham (3) vs EAP (7)
8:30pm, Monday 3rd June 2013 Kingston Heath Reserve, Cheltenham
Form:
Sandringham – WDDWW
EAP – WWLLL
Head to Head:
25 May 2012 – EAP 0 Sandringham 6 (Morshead Park)
04 Jun 2012 – Sandringham 4 EAP 0 (Kingston Heath)
The wheels are falling off a little at EAP, but that’s been the case for awhile now as a great start to the season has turned into somewhat of a mess. Their playing style has been found out, the team are struggling to continue playing out the back under heavy forward pressure from opposition teams and yet… they persist. It’s all very noble but surely a little variety to give the defenders some breathing space wouldn’t hurt. A highlight would be the form of some of their youngsters like fleet-footed Beattie Goad or the lightning fast Eleni Fakos, but you fear that a few more losses might really start to hurt morale. Sandringham on the other hand came away from a taxing schedule with three wins in the bag, but will be missing Stephanie Catley to international duty this weekend. The attack-minded wing back literally conjured up three goals in the win over Heidelberg last week, but her team mates will have to do it on their own this time round. Emma Runnalls is doubtful after injuring her eye socket last week, another blow for a Sandringham team in good form of late.
Key Players:
Tal Karp (EAP) – She might have lost a bit of speed, but the former Australian international is still a vital presence in the middle of the field for EAP. Calm and never afraid to offer instructions to her young team mates, Karp is the glue that holds the team together. EAP will need plenty of that this weekend as they look to arrest an alarming form slump.
Hannah Stuart (Sandringham) – She’s not the most flashy of players, but Stuart’s industrious work in the middle of the park does not go unnoticed by her team mates. The midfielder often gets her hands dirty, winning the ball off opposition players before launching counter attacks from deep. If she’s on form, EAP will find themselves hemmed in in their own half. A handy player to have on your team in a pinch.
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