Round 16 served up plenty of goals and an upset which saw top spot shaken up. Just one point now separates the top two and the race for finals places is even tighter than it was a week ago.
With five games left to play the top four hangs in the balance. This week promises more drama and could likely see the table order chop and change yet again as teams sprint for the finish.
Despite defeats in their last two contests, Bayside United has looked an improved side in recent weeks. Picking up their first three points of the season over FV Emerging in Round 14 was followed by a narrow loss to Heidelberg where Bayside held their own.
Last week they were in the contest for the majority of the 90 minutes against South Melbourne, but a disastrous lapse in concentration saw them concede three goals in five minutes in the second half to lose 4-2 in the end.
Looking for a positive finish to the season, tonight they travel to Wembley Park to face off against Box Hill United.
Box Hill will be hungry to bounce back after losing 5-0 FC Bulleen Lions last weekend. After South’s defeat of Bayside, Box Hill’s loss saw them drop to seventh in the table, resulting in a vital clash against the visitors.
After their victory over South back in Round 14, Jorge Leon’s side were looking towards the top four. Unfortunately, they now find themselves six points off the pace with five games to play, albeit with a game in hand after their washout against Calder two weeks ago.
Sofia Sakalis has shown she enjoys playing against Bayside this year, with goals in each of her sides past two past fixtures against tonight's opponents this season.
For Bayside, top scorer Julia Budiongo netted a brace last Saturday to take her tally to six for the season, with three in her last three games. With her side out of finals contention, they can focus on finishing the season on a high with positive performances in the final five fixtures of the campaign.
FV Emerging have done it again. For the second time this season the young side have defeated top of the table opposition, and in the process knocked them out of first place. Travelling to Keilor Park to take on the imperious Calder United, who had only conceded four goals all year, they were unphased as they held the league’s highest scoring team at bay.
An excellent bottom corner strike from Sarah Cain in the first half all that was needed, as they frustrated the Calder attack all game long. This week they travel on the road again to face the team they helped regain top spot last weekend, Heidelberg United.
The Bergers edged past Alamein 3-2 on Saturday in another thrilling encounter between the two sides. They return to the top after not dropping a point since they relinquished their grip on first place back in Round 11.
Danielle wise converted again for her side on the weekend and is in a rich vein of form with five in her last five games. The run sees her just one goal behind her captain Steph Galea in the individual scoring table. The two have proved easily the most lethal strike partnership this season, with twice as many goals as the rest of the field.
However, the Bergers’ last contest against Emerging will still be fresh in their minds. The young gun’s knocking Heidelberg out of top spot with an incredible second half comeback at Knox. The season score between the two sides now sits at one apiece, with this Saturday at Olympic Village shaping up as the decider.
Emerging’s win over Calder launched them back into finals contention, now sitting just two points behind fourth placed Alamein. On their day the young side have shown they can beat any team in the top flight, but consistency has been their stumbling block in 2022.
South Melbourne’s resurgence continued last weekend with their 4-2 victory over Bayside at Kingston Heath. Since parting ways with coach Sam Young, the side from Albert Park have won three straight in all competitions, scoring 10 goals in the process.
The run has catapulted them back into the finals picture, now sitting just four points away from the top four. This Saturday they welcome fourth placed Alamein to Lakeside Stadium.
Alamein have struggled to find consistency in their results this season. Over the last month they have followed convincing wins with narrow losses to both top two sides. Last weekend saw them narrowly defeated by Heidelberg after holding a first half lead for the second time this season.
After witnessing South’s strong second half showing last week, Kat Smith will be looking for her side to finish the game this week how they have started in recent weeks. Especially considering the last time these two sides faced off it was a 91st minute winner from Janna Lawson that broke Alamein hearts in Round 10
Bella Stringfellow collected the fastest hattrick in the top flight this season with her three goals in five minutes blowing away Bayside in the second half. After coming on at half time, her ability to find the back post at the perfect time will surely have staked her claim to feature from the off this week.
As for the previous fixtures between these two sides this season, they have traded 1-0 wins in 2022, with Alamein top scorer Elaina Vatcky netting the winner in Round 3.
All signs point to another tense, closely fought contest this time around.
The Calder United defence was finally breached for the first time since Round 4 on Saturday when they went down 1-0 to FV Emerging at home. It was just the fifth time their backline had conceded all year and the result knocked them from their perch at the summit of Victorian Football.
There is no respite for those who wish to be the best, and on Monday night they will be served up another tricky fixture when they travel to the Veneto Club to take on FC Bulleen Lions.
Bulleen bounced back from their loss against South Melbourne a fortnight ago in spectacular fashion, putting five past a hapless Box Hill United last weekend. Captain Lia Privitelli netting a brace during a four goal second half onslaught at David Barro Stadium.
The three points were a welcome sight for the Lions faithful, who saw their side open up a small gap over the teams battling for the last finals place. The points need to keep coming to ensure they’re spot isn’t jeopardy, and with their extensive injury list, the road into the end of the season may still prove a bumpy one.
As for Calder they will have their minds firmly set on returning to the top of the pile. With a game in hand on Heidelberg, as long as they can return to winning ways this weekend, United will be confident they can overtake the Bergers again.
The loss to FV Emerging was the first time they have failed to score since their scoreless draw against Box Hill in Round 1. With this in mind, Calder will be confident last weekend’s result was just an outlier in what has been a prolific season.
After a 1-1 draw between the two sides in Round 3, Calder have won the next two fixtures against the Lions in the league and the Nike F.C. Cup. Bulleen will be out for revenge, especially for their incredibly close defeat in the cup semi-final just two weeks ago.