FC Bulleen Lions men and women beaten in Football Victoria’s triple header

FC Bulleen Lions’ men and women departed AAMI Park empty-handed after both were beaten as part of Football Victoria’s NPLV triple header.

Calder United’s Angela Beard is denied by FC Bulleen Lions keeper Emily Shields while Claudia Fruscalzo watches on. Picture: Hamish Blair

It was a case of double disappointment for FC Bulleen Lions sides as both the women and men from the Veneto Club suffered heartbreakers as part of Football Victoria’s big triple header at AAMI Park on Sunday.

In the women’s grand final, Calder United completed the triple crown — cup, league and grand final — when it held off a gallant Lions outfit to win 1-0.

It was, however, a contest with numerous chances falling to either side and the Lions can count themselves a little unlucky not to have upset the more-fancied Calder.

Just seven minutes in, the Lions were a goal down when a long free kick from the left from Angela Beard drifted into the heart of the box.

Bulleen keeper Emily Shields came from her line to deal with the danger but, in a crowded area, the ball spilt to the ground and Alycia Eicke pounced.

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Heartbreak for the Lions Picture: Hamish Blair

Undaunted, the Lions pressed and Caitlin Friend went agonisingly close to an equaliser only to have her cracking long range effort strike the bar.

Not long after, the footballing gods again seemed to have it in for Friend when another goalbound rocket was pushed away by the diving Alyssa Dall’Oste.

The Lions almost conceded a second goal in the shadows of halftime when a Stacey Papadopoulos lob struck the bar and the rebounding ball fell to Beard just metres out. The courageous Shields, however, threw herself at the contest and blocked the shot.

On the hour mark the Lions had another chance when Friend found Quigley with a beautiful pass that split the defence but Dall’Oste denied the Lions an equaliser after winning the one-on-one.

Meanwhile, in the promotion/relegation playoff, Dandenong Thunder retained its place in the top flight with a 1-0 win over NPLV2 East’s FC Bulleen Lions in the first game of Sunday’s triple header, thanks to a late strike by their talismanic striker Brandon Barnes.

Both teams began cautiously and, apart from an early Barnes shot that stung the palms of Lions keeper Alex Pavlidis, scoring chances were at a premium.

FC Bulleen’s Kayla Morrison does battle with player of the match Aleksandra Sinclair. Picture: Hamish Blair

The game opened up in the second half with a couple of clear chances falling to both teams.

The Lions almost scored the opener in the 79th minute when Daniel Scopelliti’s shot hit the upright.

Five minutes later, with the game seemingly bound for extra-time, Dandenong’s Kieran Dover sent a cross to the far post. Bulleen’s defence hesitated allowing Barnes to pounce.

Using his strength, he gained possession and fired home the matchwinner with his favoured left foot.