By Adam Palombi
The Lions tamed after the most extraordinary of circumstances on Saturday’s NPLW Grand Final.
Having dispatched League and Nike Fc Cup winners Bulleen Lions in the semi finals. Our Women’s side stole the title at the death against 2nd place Preston Lions on Saturday’s Grand Final.
Within the mid-week build up going into the big dance, there was a tangible feeling of belief surrounding Sven Samild’s side.
Sven inherited the role after the departure of manager Louis Spiridis.
“It was evident that this side before I entered was on the cusp of relegation, I knew that with such a great playing group, they were capable of something special”.
Alongside Dennis Georgeakopolous, the dynamic between both coaches was unique within its own right. A classic case of good cop, bad cop. Tactician, Motivator.
Home of the Matildas was the neutral battle ground. A vocal contingent of HUFC fans immersed and surrounded the playing field, as our NPLW warriors set out for battle. The 1st leg of Football Victoria’s Grand Final Double Header, kicking off at 3:30pm.
Having found the net initially through a precise penalty from Alana Jancevski, the Lions found themselves in front at Half-time after a duo of brilliant strikes.
Dennis was defiant within his half-time locker room discussion. The hairdryer had been relinquished. Something which was not foreign to the playing group. Stern within his speech, it came straight from the heart, with all the analogies you can imagine.
He was adamant that despite the side not being in front… that it was still ours for the taking.
As the contest went on, there were moments in which the Lions simply could’ve wrapped up the Gold, in which they were not able to convert.
A turning point perhaps when Lions manager Daniel Foden had received his marching orders after already finding a yellow card in the first half.
Perhaps the football gods were finally on Heidelberg’s side…
Upon the final 15 minutes of play, through the combination of PLFC not capitalising upon their many chances and the absence of their manager on the touchline.
The Bergers had begun to find momentum.
Substitute Vlahopolous had threaded the ball through to Lockart… who found herself one on one against the keeper.
With all the composure of a surgeon, Lockhart placed the ball beyond the keeper from close range. Providing a pulse late in the contest.
Purely in command throughout the final moments of the match, full-back Cam Barrerio found possession 30 yards out from goal, and the opportunity to write herself into NPL and Berger folklore.
Her effort was denied spectacularly by the PLFC keeper. Who had arguably pulled off the save of the season to deny the long-range, dipping effort.
Hence the situation – A corner kick. Stoppage time mere seconds away from culminating. Jancevski’s cross failed to beat the first player at the near post. The clearance however was mis-skewed amidst the final second panic.
In a sea of red, it was Mami Ambo for Heidelberg. Amidst 5 PLFC shirts, Ambo had climbed the ladder and cashed in on a golden moment. Scoring a header within the final seconds of the game to pull off a heist for the ages.
PLFC had a kick off which they took immediately, all for Courtney Van Diesen to sound the full-time whistle.
We had done it! We had won our first NPLW title since 2007. You simply couldn’t write scripts, better than this.
Steph Galea had the obligation of raising the title in-front of The Warrior faithful. We had pulled off one of the most famous come from behind, final Victory’s. Ever witnessed.
