Facing Three Matches in six days and encountering a buoyant Brunswick Juventus who won their two of their three recent matches including defeating Heidelbergs forthcoming Nike Cup Final foes South Melbourne, the 2024 NPLW Champions had a stern test at the Village.
Juve had recruited as well as anyone at the window with A – Leaguers Mary Stanic-Floody, Sophia Varley, American Visa Players in the sensational Natalie O’Leary and Sabine Montenegro, Elly Torre from Bentleigh Greens and Leyla Hussain from the Melbourne Victory Academy.
Heidelberg had made one change from Wednesday night’s Nike Cup Semi Final victory with Maia Heysen unavailable Bella Wallhead moving to centre back and Molly Burke playing at right back on the dangerous O’Leary.
This Match lacked the emotion and recent crowds at Olympic Village the Bergers had had, as the bitter cold, darkness and rain was about to descend as kick off time approached at a very lonely floodlit stadium.
Juve dominated the first 10 to 15 minutes of play with Heidelberg looking sluggish, Stanic-Floody had some free kick opportunities that failed to trouble Mia Bailey in the Bergers goal, but they looked most likely to score.
Nplvictorias’ Commentator Oscar Rutherford’s extremely knowledgable dulcet tones could be heard across the ground as this was a fixture that seemed to lack a sense of spark.
Heidelberg started to gain momentum with the Sawa Matsuda and Captain Steph Galea offering wonderful runs and dangerous balls being whipped into the 18 yard box looking for Caitlin Karic and Tamar Levin.
After some determined & relentless pressing by Galea Juve turned the ball over, a Cam Barriero cross bounced out to a open Sarah O’Donoghue at the top of the box who’s first touch was a thing of beauty and she hit a left footed strike that evaded Varley in goal at the 39 minute to have the League Leaders up 1 nil.
Juve bounced, tried to hit back quickly but defending from the Bergers in particularly from Bella Wallhead was resolute and probably as the half time whistle went the most effective player on the pitch to that point.
With other results failing their way the Bergers if they could maintain their current lead they would need just two points to crowned NPLW Premiers, so they had a lot to play for in the second 45.
Asuka Miyata control of the midfield started to create issues for Juve with Rosie Wild, Burke and Wallhead driving with purpose from defence the opportunities started to dry up for Brunswick.
After some sustained attacks by the Bergers a Game of Head Tennis at the top of the box saw the ball drop Matsuda who struck a volley which Varley made one of the saves of the season to deny the current Golden Boot Leader.
The resulting corner from Barriero was headed onto the crossbar by Wallhead before the undeniable Matsuda scored her 17th of this NPLW Season at the 83rd minute to give the Bergers a handy buffer.
The Bergers thought they went 3 – 0 up but a Karic Goal from wonderful inter play was deemed offside which seemed an unusual decision.
At the end of 90 minutes Heidelberg United win 2 – 0 remain on top of the ladder by either 12 or 14 points depending on Sunday nights clash at the Ven between FC Bulleen and Boroondara Carey Eagles.
They journey on Friday Night to Wembley Park to face a much improved and exciting Box Hill United with a 7.30pm Kick Off.
From the Heidelberg United Football Club – The Funeral for Keely Lockhart will be held at Tobin Brothers Diamond Creek Chapel, 49-55 Main Street Diamond Creek this Monday July 21st at 2:00pm
