HEIDELBERG ON TOP OF THE VWPL AT THE HALF WAY MARK
The Bergers notched up their third win in a row and their sixth for the season to claim the number one position of the WPL Ladder for the first time this season. Heidelberg went into the match knowing that a win would see them grab top spot, however the Bergers took nothing for granted because the Bendigo Vipers are a competitive outfit and whilst only ever losing once to the vipers back in 2005 they were not going to make the mistake of underestimating them. The Vipers on the other hand went into the match with a number of their senior players not able to make the trip to the Village.
Heidelberg started the match relatively slowly with caution being thrown into the wind and not wanting to concede to a young Bendigo side that was chasing after everything. It wasn't until the 21st minute mark that Melanie Camilleri scored the Bergers first goal after receiving a perfectly weighted cross from Julia Nicolaci and heading the ball into the back of the net.
To their credit, the Vipers managed to pressure the Bergers across the park and was winning their share of the ball. A late charge by the Bergers saw a number of opportunities go wide off their mark as the first half came to a close.
With renewed determination, the Bergers commenced the 2nd half eager to get the game going and were rewarded in the 48th minute when Sarah Groenewald broke through the Bendigo defence and give the Bergers a 2 goal lead. However it wasn't until the 70th minute that the Bergers scored their third goal through Michelle Verzi who was un-marked just inside the 18 yard box. Her shot went wide of the Bendigo keeper and into the back of the net. In the 83rd minute of the match Michelle Verzi was once again able to get a shot on goal just inside the 18 yard box and was able to send the ball into the top left hand corner for her second goal and the Bergers 4th. Heidelberg substitute, Jannelle Hopman was keen to make an impression with only her second start of the season and she did just that by scoring her first senior goal for the Club and the Bergers 5th for the afternoon.
The win marked the Bergers claiming top spot on the ladder for the first time this season. it also marked a significant milestone for one of the Club all time great players in Jamara Maza who played her 200th game for the Bergers. Having started her playing career for the Bergers in 1995 at the age of just 13 years Jamara is now in her 12th playing season with the Club. She was the Club captain of the 2007 Championship winning team and is keen to see the Bergers achieve that milestone again in Season 2010. As a mark of respect for her fantastic achievement, Club Captain, Rita Mankowska requested that her former Captain take the Captain's armband and lead the team on her special day. Prior to the match, the Club presented Jamara with her playing shirt from her first season, 1995. Somehow, her now famous number 7 found its way into the Clubs "archive vault" only to re-appear 15 years later. Well done Jami.
Heidelberg United: Katie NEVILLE, Rita MANKOWSKA, Jolene MILLER, Julia NICOLACI, Michelle VERZI, Katia TAVALARO (Janelle HOPMAN 80’), Jamara MAZA, Belinda PANNELLA, Sarah GROENEWALD, Melanie CAMILLERI (Dijana JOSEVSKA 52’).
Unused Subs:
Goals: Melanie CAMILLERI 21’, Sarah GROENEWALD 48', Michelle VERZI 70’,83', Janelle HOPMAN 91'
Bendigo Vipers: Sarah WILEY O'BRIEN, Bridget BOOTH (Jacklyn LOMBARDOZZI 58'), Paige CONDER (Alex CHEAL 80'), Jacinta DIKKENBURG, Michelle DUFFY, Matilda FORD, Jayla MALONEY (Jacky DANNELL 58'), Louise McCOLL), Brittany PATAFIO), Sarah RICHARDSON, Catherine WILEY O'BRIEN