Round 8 will go down as the one where Bulleen Lions really announced their intention to win the league, after beating Sandringham 4-1 at home, with an abundance of star performers on the night.
That result allowed Heidelberg to catch up to the pack as they overcame some early scares to ward off Box Hill 2-0 away from home, while Bundoora United kept up their form with a 4-1 win over Casey.
South Melbourne disposed of Ashburton in difficult circumstances, while the Boroondara Eagles kept flying with a 4-0 win up in the hills against Monbulk.
Finally Cairnlea overcame a barrage of attacks from the NTC to win 2-1.
While there is a bit of a Bulleen presence this week after such an impressive outing, there were many other candidates for the team, and here are those that made the cut!
Starting XI (4-4-1-1):
GK: Kelsey Quinn (Heidelberg United)
The new Heidelberg keeper was a big reason as to why Heidelberg led 1-0 at half time against Box Hill, with the best action coming in the second minute of the game. She twice dived at the feet of Ruby Foottit to prevent the striker scoring certain goals, before ensuring Richardson didn’t catch the Bergers out with a long range free-kick. Her distribution also aided the side’s cause, allowing them to push Box Hill straight back after they attacked.
RB: Leah Barrett (Boroondara Eagles)
Normally a central defender this season, Barrett had a fine game against Monbulk, helping the Eagles keep a clean sheet. The home side had threatened going forward all half, but Barrett was key in shutting them out. Boroondara’s formation change made life easier for the defence, but they largely had Barrett to thank for keeping them organised.
CB: Emily Thomas (Cairnlea)
This Cairnlea centre back has been catching the eye this season, putting in a similarly dominant display against Monbulk earlier in the season. She helped to shut out a potent and dangerous NTC attacking force, intercepting plenty and generally being everywhere. Thomas is a big part of Cairnlea’s defence, and certainly had a fine one this round.
CB: Natalie Brajanovski (South Melbourne Women)
Unlucky to miss out on last round’s selection, Brajanovski makes the cut this time as she impressed in the centre of defence against Ashbuton. The league’s bottom club were proving to be a bit of a test for South’s defence on home turf, but Brajanovski was up to the task, helping her side keep a clean sheet.
LB: Olivia Ellis (Bulleen Lions)
“Watching her play, you’d never tell that she was that young,” said Bob McGuinness about his teenage left-back, and she really did put in quite the shift against Sandringham. Ellis burst onto the scene last year, and has carried on in her second year at the top level. Her assist for Liana Iaconis showcased her determination to beat opposing defenders, and she went about her defensive duties with little fuss.
CM: Cindy Lay (Bulleen Lions)
A vital cog in the midfield trio that runs has run Bulleen all the way to top spot in the Premier League. She has influenced many a game already this season, and this was no exception. Once McGuinness reshuffled his lineup after the break and afforded Lay more space, it’s no surprise the floodgates opened. In tandem with Jessica Tay – who incidentally is in fine form too – they drove the midfield for Bulleen, but it was Lay who edged out her partner in crime. Her goal was well taken, capitalising on some uncharacteristic defending from Sandringham.
CM: Liana Iaconis (Bulleen Lions)
Along with Lay and Tay, Iaconis makes up the final spot in the Bulleen midfield. While her other two team-mates may be getting the plaudits, Iaconis has been one of the more unsung heroes of the team this season, and was actually a silent killer in the Lions’ dismantling of Sandringham. Her presence in front of the back four was important, cutting out all the direct balls the visitors tried to play, allowing Bulleen to keep the pressure up in the second half. Her goal was a result of getting into the box at the right time, finishing Ellis’ cross unmarked in the six-yard box.
RM: Aisling Callaghan (Boroondara Eagles)
Just two months ago, hardly anyone would’ve know who she was. But Callaghan has stepped up from State League 2 football with ease, seamlessly slotting into Boroondara’s team whilst doing a number jobs for her team. This time, she managed to keep Monbulk’s dangerous winger Monique Nogueira relatively subdued in the second half, while also being dangerous going forward, putting in the cross for Racheal Quigley’s goal.
LM: Jessica Au (South Melbourne)
Au is enjoying quite a run of form at the moment, and while she didn’t start against Ashburton, she did come on with deadly effect, scoring within two minutes of setting foot on the pitch. The winger scored again just before the break, and remained a threat for the rest of the match as South ran out 3-0 winners.
AMC: Enza Barilla (Bundoora United)
Barilla was a hat-trick hero against Casey in one of the Friday clashes in Round 8, but she still had to thank her supporting cast for creating the chances for her to bury. Padiki Dade and Rachel Alonso both played their part in creating Barilla’s chances, which the attacking midfielder dispatched without so much as a hesitation.
ST: Lia Privitelli (Bulleen Lions)
Privitelli was recently unveiled as the WPL player of the month, and this weeks display went some way to convincing the voters of why she deserved it. Her pace and direct running forced Sandringham deep, allowing more space in midfield for Bulleen to play and get away from the suffocation tactics the visitors deploy. Her two goals were just rewards for her performance.
Substitutes:
Padiki Dade (Bundoora United)
As mentioned above, Dade was a key act in the the support for creating Bundoora’s chances against Casey. It was a night where Bundy seemed to click, and Dade’s link up play with the rest of her team-mates really left an impression on the reporter present.
Michelle Verzi (Heidelberg United)
The American played in the number 10 role against Box Hill, and did so to some effect. Her goal was well deserved, especially after having a good effort saved by Melissa Barbieri just moments earlier. She linked all parts of Heidelberg’s team together, and was particularly crucial in the second half as the Bergers took control.
Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
Before Nicolaci came onto the pitch, it seemed inevitable that Box Hill would run away with the game. It’s not really over selling her performance either. Heidelberg welcomed the return of their playmaker and her introduction reaped immediate dividends, getting a couple of shots on target to stem the flow of Box Hill.
Emily Harbis (FFV NTC U17 Girls)
It’s now two goals in two games for the young winger, and she was unlucky not to have scored another as she also struck the crossbar against Cairnlea. The Sandringham product is really starting to hit her stride for the NTC now, and is surely causing a selection headache for the coaching staff with the attacking weaponry they possess.
Beattie Goad (FFV NTC U17 Girls)
Another part of the NTC forward line is Goad. The young starlet put in another good shift against Cairnlea, including an assist for Harbis’ goal. Goad’s only downside was her lack of a goal, after creating so many scoring opportunities for herself, but she earned a spot on the bench with her impressive link ups with her teammates to create those chances.