Heidelberg United’s senior women have opened their National Premier League season with a strong win over Bayside United, cruising to victory at home with a 5-1 score line over the visitors.
Captain Stephanie Galea scored a massive four goals in the first half, three of which came during the run of play, and one converted from a penalty kick just before the break. The final goal for the Bergers came from Eve Tiktikakis early in the second half with a header.
Galea’s bag of goals would not have been possible without the hard work of Miette Georgio, who collected her own hattrick of assists setting up the skipper.
The second half saw a myriad of substitutions, with the Berger’s even switching out goalkeepers, as Ruby Samild came off the bench to replace Natasha Stathopoulos.
Despite the immense lead, Heidelberg United continued to play like they had everything to lose with the defence working hard to keep the visitors at bay and the attack continuing to sustain their high press.
Unfortunately, the Berger’s were unable to maintain the clean sheet as Bayside managed to scrape in a consolation goal towards the end of the match, making the most of an unforced error.
To the shock of no one, Stephanie Galea was awarded player of the match following her four-goal haul and the squad collected all three points on offer when the final whistle sounded.
Heidelberg United will enjoy sitting at the top of the ladder at the end of Round 1 and will take plenty of confidence when they play Alamein FC next week in the second round of competition. It kicks off at 3:00pm on Sunday April 10 at Dorothy Laver Reserve West Fields in Glen Iris.
Match Details
Heidelberg United 5 (S. Galea 8’, 25’, 34’, 45+1’ (P), E. Tiktikakis 57’) – 1 Bayside United (M. Anvari 82’)
20 – Natasha Stathopoulos (GK) (26 – Ruby Samild 78’ (GK))
2 – Emily Roach
5 – Elly Torre
6 – Felicity Georgopoulos
7 – Stephanie Galea (c) (9 Keely Lockhart 78’)
8 – Kathryn Vlahopoulos
10 – Rebecca Burrows
11 – Sophie Papalia (4 – Danielle Wise 67’)
18 – Eve Tiktikakis
22 – Elwen Parbery (3 – Maxine DiBlasi 70’)
25 – Miette Georgio
Subs not used:
16 – Isabella Wallhead
Written by Emma Burke
