Box Hill Inter continue winning ways
By Damien Walsh
The 2009 Grand Final re-match saw Box Hill host Heidelberg United at Wembley Park in the opening match of round seven in the Women's Premier League.
Box Hill Inter earned their fourth win of the season on Friday night, leaving them one point behind league-leaders Ashburton on the table.
In the third minute, Box Hill almost had the first goal of the match when Deanna Niceski received a long ball from the midfield and hit it on the half volley, but only just missed to the right.
Chances were few-and-far between in the first half, with Heidelberg’s first chance coming in the 16th minute when a long ball was played forward to Melanie Camilleri who allowed the ball to bounce. Inter keeper Alice Ryan came out to try and gather the ball but Camilleri just got there first and headed it over Ryan, but the ball went just wide to the right.
Play was very much in the midfield with many long balls being played to no one up front for both teams.
The first goal of the match went to Box Hill in the 36th minute. Louisa Bisby had the ball on the left wing and did some great work to get into a crossing position. Bisby managed to get the ball into the box and just over Heidelberg keeper Katie Neville for Tal Karp to head into an open goal.
That was the last bit of exciting play in the first half, with Box Hill going into the break one goal up on Heidelberg.
Box Hill made a change to their side before the start of the second half, with Krystal McLuskey replacing Chiara Romano.
The second half began with Heidelberg almost scoring within 20 seconds of the kick off. Julia Nicolaci split Inter’s defence with a through ball to Camilleri. Ryan came out to put pressure on Camilleri, who slid in to shoot; her shot hit the post and was cleared away from danger.
Box Hill almost went two-nil up when Bisby whipped the ball in from the left wing towards the back post; Georgia Koutrouvelis was there to hit it on the volley and her shot only just went wide by a few inches.
Camilleri had another chance for Heidelberg when she shot from long range; Ryan was up to the task and made a good diving save.
Box Hill got their second goal of the game in the 66th minute when Niceski crossed the ball in to the box. Koutrouvelis arrived late and was able to control the ball and calmly finish giving Box Hill a two goal lead.
Box Hill made a double substitution five minutes later with Aleksandra Sinclair and Ashleigh Kelly coming on for Koutrouvelis and Niceski.
In the 77th minute Box Hill made it three goals to nil when Marlies Oostdam switched the ball to Sinclair who worked the ball onto her left foot and took her chance from 20 yards out. She seemed to have miss-hit her shot and it went straight along the ground to Neville. Neville went to pick up the ball but it slipped through her hands and went through her legs and crossed the line.
After this, Heidelberg seemed to get a boost and piled on the pressure. In the 82nd minute, Katia Tavolaro crossed the ball to the top of the box and Camilleri controlled the ball on her chest and hit it on the volley. Her shot hit the crossbar and Sarah Groenewald gained control with her back to goal, Groenewald was then fouled in the box and Heidelberg were rewarded with a penalty. Camilleri stepped up to take it and sent Ryan the wrong way to net Heidelberg’s first goal of the night.
Belinda Pannella nearly scored for Heidelberg two minutes later when she shot from 25 yards out, but Ryan made a superb diving save to her left and denied Heidelberg scoring a second goal.
Despite all of Heidelberg’s pressure they were unable to pull two goals back and the game ended with Box Hill winning 3-1.
Box Hill Inter travel to BT Connor Reserve next week to take on Preston, while Heidelberg will host Ashburton at Olympic Park.
Box Hill Inter: Alice RYAN, Chiara ROMANO (Krystal MCLUSKEY 46’), Georgia OUDEMAN, Yvette MUSCAT, Marlies OOSTDAM, Louisa BISBY, Katrina SMITH, Tal KARP, Georgia KOUTROUVELIS (Ashleigh KELLY 72’), Belinda PANNELLA (Stephanie SKARAS 66’), Deanna NICESKI (Aleksandra SINCLAIR 72’).
Unused subs: Teodora BALINT.
Yellow Cards: Smith 87’
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: Karp 36’, Koutrouvelis 66’, Sinclair 77’.
Heidelberg United: Katie NEVILLE, Rita MANKOWSKA, Jolene MILLER, Penny BAKOPOULOS, Julia NICOLACI (Jamara MAZA 63’), Michelle VERZI (Katia TAVOLARO 57’), Megan ARCHER, Tyla VLAJNIC, Belinda PANNELLA, Sarah GROENEWALD, Melanie CAMILLERI.
Unused subs: Janelle HOPMAN, Dijana JOVESKA, Tara CONTE.
Yellow Cards: Camilleri 44’
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: Camilleri 83’.