The competition for a Womens Premier League (WPl) finals berth heated up on the weekend when Box Hill bounced back from successive losses to stay in the top four while Heidelberg reclaimed the number one position.
Last years grand finalists, Heidelberg , moved back into top position in the league after crushing Preston, but are even on points with South Melbourne who defeated other finals aspirant Casey Comets.
There is a mere four points separating the top five teams in what is turning out to be the most exciting conclusion to the WPL in many years.
Box Hill’s 2-0 defeat of Ashburton has kept them in third position on the premiership ladder, after a slump in form which saw them lose three games in four weeks.
Going into Friday’s nights game, Inter faced the prospect of dropping out of the top four and, with only three rounds remaining in the home and away season, missing the finals series for the first time in the history of the WPL.
The game at Wembley Park was all locked up at half time with neither team able to find the back of the net.
It was Box Hill’s reliable striker, Amanda Lawless, who broke the deadlock 22 minutes into the second half and getting her team on the board. She followed this up with her second goal one minute later and sealed the game for the defending premiers.
The win over Ashburton keeps Inter in third position on the premiership table, while Ashburton now slips to sixth place.
Ashburton play fifth placed Sandringham next week in what will be a battle for both to remain in contention for the finals.
Sandringham kept their finals hopes alive with a 5-0 drumming of Geelong .
Heidelberg ’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Preston Lions began in the first half when Tyla Vlajnic scored two goals and Rita Mankowska also contributed to give the Bergers a 3-0 lead at the main break.
Julia Nicolaci scored another for Heidelberg in the second half further boosting Heidelberg ’s goal difference, which may become crucial in deciding the finals positions in 2009.
Prestons loss was a baptism of fire for the Lion’s newly appointed coach Robert Spasevski who replaced Andy Fry.
South Melbourne continued to press their case for the premiership with a 4-1 win over Casey Comets.
These two teams have been the two rising stars of the 2009 WPL competition and South’s win put them in second place on the table on goal different but face an easier run home than Casey.
The Comets have the bye next week then face Heidelberg and Box Hill in their two final games, which is a tough ask for the young team, but will make for some quality womens football in the final rounds.
