Catch-up puts Heidelberg on top
Courtesy FFV Website
Two matches were played over the Queen's Birthday weekend Catch Up Round, with Heidelberg United hosting Bendigo Vipers, and Casey Comets playing South Melbourne.
Heidelberg United and the Vipers played on Sunday afternoon at the Olympic Village, and it was always going to be difficult for the Vipers who were short on players due to the Country Championships.
The first half was very even, with both sides having their fair share of possession, and some good attacking chances at goal.
A defensive error by the Vipers however, allowed a cross into the box, and an unmarked Melanie Camilleri headed the ball in to bring her tally to ten goals for Season 2010.
At half time, the score was one-nil to Heidelberg United, and the match was well poised for a good second half.
The Vipers tired in the second half and were unable play at the level of intensity they had in the first half. They had trouble keeping possession as successfully and the defence was under pressure more often.
Heidelberg United were able to carry on with their impressive finishing and found the back of the net a further four times, through Michelle Verzi who scored a brace, Sarah Groenewald and Janelle Hopman, and Heidelberg United were able to get the win, five goals to nil.
Heidelberg United Coach John Lioupas said that it was a good win for the team.
"Three points is the key. We had a few extras in the crowd for Jamara Mazza's 200th game for the club which was excellent for her. Everyone chipped in on Sunday.
Our finishing is getting better and we've now scored 12 goals in three games. It's good to be on top of the ladder."
Vipers Coach Peter Richardson said that he was pleased, despite the result.
"It was a game of two halves. They had a couple more reasonable chances, and we had a fantastic chance at the end of the half - we could have scored. It was hard to sustain our effort in the second half - we made a few mistakes that they capitalised on. They are always clinical in putting away their chances.
"My job as a coach is to help the girls improve, and irrespective of the score, they would have learned a lot."
The second match of the weekend was between Casey Comets and South Melbourne at Comets Stadium. Both sides had somewhat unexpected wins in round 9, and were looking for another three points.
South Melbourne have a new lease on life with former players returning to the fray, while former Heidelberg United player Penny Bakopolous had also joined South Melbourne over the last week.
The first half ended scoreless, with both sides having many chances - with shots hitting the crossbar and others flying over the top.
The Comets were on the scoreboard first through Rebecca Sherry in the 51st minute when she headed the ball in past Sarah McKeown.
South Melbourne equalised soon after through Lucrece Laverdure who put the ball away after a good save by Emma Bracken.
Casey were back on the scoreboard with a brilliant free kick from Laura Croft, but South Melbourne pegged it back to two-all after the restart in play, when Annabelle Gibney scored her first goal.
Five minutes later Gibney scored her second and South Melbourne were able to play out the last ten minutes with the lead, which gave them their second win of season 2010, three goals to two.
South Melbourne Assistant Coach Matthew Shaw said the match was very tough.
"We showed a lot of determination. It was a physical game and we were a bit lucky to get through it. We were clinical on Sunday - we've started finishing and getting some good goals."
Heidelberg United have jumped up to first place with their 5-0 win and are now one point clear of Box Hill Inter and Sandringham. Ashburton rounds out the four, and will miss round ten with a bye, while Casey remains in fifth place with 12 points. The Vipers are currently sixth and are two points clear of South Melbourne with two wins. Altona City and Preston Lions sit in eighth and ninth positions.