The Gladesville Ravens came away with a 5-3 victory against the Bulls FC Academy at Christie Park on a rainy Sydney Sunday evening.
Isabella Habuda was the star of the evening with a hat-trick, while Claudia Cholakian and Elizabeth Copus-Brown got the other two.
Amber Luchtmeijer had the visitors in the game until half time with her striker before she scored her second late on and Amy Chessari rounded off the scoring.
There wasn’t even 25 seconds on the clock when the home side hit a surprisingly lead.
A long ball from the back wasn’t dealt with by Bulls defender Liz Grey which Bella Habuda took advantage of, before sending her half volley over Issabella Coelho.
The Bulls reacted well and almost equalised through Daniella Naeimi, her volley going well over the bar.
Luchtmeijer then went close on 10 minutes, using her pace to get beyond the Ravens defence, sliding her effort just wide of the goal.
Chances kept coming for the visitors, this time Tamires Souza not taking her opportunity with Romina Parraguirre saving well.
Claudia Cholakian then went close for the Ravens, her volley coming off the top side of the bar.
Cholakian wouldn’t need to wait long to find her goal, doubling the Ravens advantage on 17 minutes.
The striker managed to get away from her marker from a corner and steer her header into the back of the net.
Similarly to how the home side opened the scoring, that’s how the Bulls got themselves back in the game.
A long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with, Luchtmeijer all over the pass before expertly lobbing Parraguirre.
Cholakian almost restored the two-goal advantage with a speculative effort, Coelho almost making a mess of the effort.
15 minutes into the second half, Habuda had her second.
A volley toward goal by Cholakian was controlled in the box by Habuda before the deadly striker made no mistake with her well taken turn and finish.
Not long after and the Bulls were in further danger, Jess Seaman played goal keeper, handling the ball in the area.
Habuda stepping up to the spot and slotting her effort away to secure her hat-trick.
With less than 10 to go, it was 5-1.
The incredible Habuda turned provider, Elizabeth Copus-Brown taking advantage of a loose ball in the box to bundle it home.
The action wasn’t done there though as Parraguirre took down Luchtmeijer in the 85th minute.
The young star dusted herself off and slotted her spot kick away for her second of the evening.
It was the 5-3 incredibly in the 89th minute.
Amy Chessari latching onto a delightful pass before lobbing the ball over Parraguirre to give the Bulls some hope.
It would only be a conciliation though as the Ravens secured all three points.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 5 (Habuda 1’, 60’, 64’, Cholakian 18’, Copus-Brown 81’)
Bulls FC Academy 3 (Luchtmeijer 24’, 86’, Chessari 90’)
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Sunday, 7 July, 2024
Gladesville Ravens: 22. Parraguirre, 3. Daczko, 5. Tanaka (11. Orgill(, 6. Davey, 8. Halls, 17. Cholakian (7. Pountney), 18. Brewis (47. Copus-Brown), 25. Howard (27. Villa), 26. Buccini, 33. Charalambous (4. Leadbitter), 51. Habuda.
Subs Not Used: 1. Coleman.
Bulls FC Academy: 51. Coelho, 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 8. Naeimi (17. Volkanovski), 9. Chessari, 10. Souza, 12. Woodall, 13. Di Sciascio (11. Valletta), 18. Valle (16. Coco-Di Sipio), 19. Ferris, 20 Luchtmeijer
Subs Not Used: 6. Corry, 23. Collins, 31. Vidal.
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By – Nikola Pozder
