The penultimate round of the NPLW season is upon us. With the Premiers Plate up for grabs and finals spots on the line, Round 20 promises one thing – drama.
South Melbourne FC v Calder United SC
The headline of the weekend could once again belong to the team at the summit of NPLW, Calder United. If results fall their way, Calder can clinch the Premiers Plate this weekend against a familiar foe, South Melbourne FC.
The 3-0 victory over South two weeks ago secured an incredible fifth consecutive Nike F.C. Cup for United and a repeat of the result would top off a memorable fortnight for the Club.
The league leader’s have been stellar form across all competitions of late. In round 19, a convincing 4-0 victory over Bayside United at Kingston Heath followed on from a dramatic 2-1 win against Heidelberg United, with Emma Robers stealing the points for her side from long range thunderbolt in the dying stages of the game.
On the flipside, South Melbourne FC will be heading into the game seeking vengeance following the recent cup final between the sides.
A 4-0 defeat at the hands of old rivals Heidelberg is hardly the ideal preparation going into the game, but Head Coach George Georgiadis has instilled a sense of newfound belief in his side.
A chance to spoil Calder United’s quest for the Premiers Plate could be the added motivation the home side needs to rise to the occasion and challenge their highflying opponents.
Before the back-to-back league losses against Heidelberg and FV Emerging, South had been in rich vein of form, defeating Bulleen and Bayside before drawing with Alamein.
Whatever the result, the game promises to be free flowing. In South Melbourne’s last five league games they have scored 11 goals and conceded 14. Neutrals and fans alike will be hoping for another goal fest.
Alamein FC v Bayside United FC
Elsewhere Alamein FC head into Round 20 in fifth position, but only one point away from fourth place FV Emerging.
A win against the visiting Bayside United is a must to mount a push into finals, but a loss or draw could prove disastrous given a meeting with the league leaders Calder United looms next week.
Alamein secured a 1-1 draw in Round 19 against the Bulleen Lions after conceding early. Elaina Vatcky scored the equaliser in the 69th minute with a terrific follow-up effort on goal.
It was Alamein’s third successive draw and the Club is now chasing it’s first win since Round 15.
The drop off in form could prove costly in the finals race but having defeated Bayside United twice already in 2022, Head Coach Kat Smith may see this as the perfect fixture for the team to get back on track.
The first time they met was way back in Round 6, with Alamein running out comfortable 3-0 winners. Nia Stamatopoulos opened the scoring with a terrific strike at the edge of the box in the 32nd minute before Kiara Bercelli scored a second-half brace to extend the lead.
The sides also clashed in Round 13, with Alamein once again taking the spoils, comprehensively defeating their opponents 4-0. All four goals came in the first half.
Bayside United head into the game having failed to score in their last three fixtures and chasing only their second win of the season, but if they were to claim it there would be major ramifications in the finals picture.
Heidelberg United FC v Box Hill United FC
Mirroring the 3:00PM Saturday kick-off time of Alamein and Bayside, Heidelberg United will welcome Box Hill to Olympic Village.
Plenty is on the line for these two sides, with Heidelberg still competing for top spot and the Premiers Plate.
The hosts are fresh off a four-goal victory over South Melbourne in a dominant away performance at Lakeside Stadium. Danielle Wise opened the scoring in the 28th minute working the angles perfectly. The score was doubled on the eve of half-time courtesy of a Holly Murray own goal while attempting to clear the ball.
Danielle Wise scored her second goal in the 73rd minute before substitute Keely Lockhart capped off the result after Wise turned provider.
Box Hill on the other hand are down but certainly not out. Although everything would have to go right for the Club, there is still a mathematical chance of making finals.
Last week, Box Hill United lost 3-1 to FV Emerging at Wembley Park. Sofia Sakalis scored her eighth goal of the season when she opened the scoring in the seventh minute, before Emerging answered back with authority, scoring three of their own before half time.
Despite recent form, Box Hill will take confidence from their matches against Heidelberg this year.
In the Round 13 clash between the two sides, Box Hill led until late in the game, where goals from Steph Galea and Kathryn Vlahopoulos turned the result. In Round 6 however Box Hill took all three points away from Olympic Village.
On that day Laura Pickett scored the opening goal in the 10th minute for Box Hill before Danielle Wise returned to serve in the 21st minute with a tap in. The match winner came in the 65th minute through Anais Josefski, who scored with a classy lob.
For Box Hill United to make finals the mission remains simple – win their last two matches and hope Alamein and FV Emerging stumble.
Bulleen Lions v FV Emerging
To wrap up the round on Monday night, FC Bulleen Lions host the young guns of FV Emerging in a mouth-watering matchup.
The Lions started the 2022 season on fire but a series of injuries stretched the squad causing the team to slowly lose touch with NPLW’s top two sides.
Despite that, Bulleen comfortably sits in third, six points clear of their fourth placed opponents this week.
A 4-0 win over Bayside was followed by a 1-1 draw with Alamein, where Aroha Little opened the scoring with a well-placed chip from outside the box. After Alamein found an equaliser, Bulleen survived a late onslaught from the visitors to walk away with a point.
FV Emerging head into the game fresh off a 3-1 victory over Box Hill United, storming back after conceding an early goal.
Silver Bell Morris opened the scoring for FV Emerging with a deft header in the 14th minute, then Caitlin Karic extended the lead in the 37th minute before defender Isabella Accardo put the result beyond doubt.
Emerging have risen from the ashes in recent weeks, two ruthless wins on the trot coupled with Alamein’s form slump has seen the young side force their way into fourth spot.
Only one point separates them from the chasing pack however and with Alamein taking on bottom placed Bayside United, there is little room for error.
Last time they met the Lions proved too strong in a thrilling encounter. After going into half-time locked at 2-2 Alana Jancevski struck in style before an own goal was enough to secure a 4-2 victory for Bulleen.
With so much on the line there promises to be fireworks at Veneto Club on Monday night. The match-up will undoubtedly provide a fitting conclusion to Round 20.
