Wednesday, 15 April 2009 10:47 AM
South Melbourne WFC has been defeated by arch rivals Heidelberg United in Round 1 of the Women’s Premer League season on Tuesday night.
In what was a unique way to start the season, all opening round matches were played at the Darebin International Sports Complex in Northcote, with all Premier League clubs required to either play on the Tuesday or Wednesday night.
Heidelberg entered the season coming of a bitter Grand Final loss in 2008 against Box Hill Inter and were regarded as one of the premiership favourites entering the contest.
South however entered the contest coming off a disappointing 2008 season, where the club struggled throughout and subsequently missed out on finals action.The game between South and Heidelberg was the marquee match up of the round, with the Bergers beating South in the Hellenic Cup pre-season tournament final in February.
The first half started in a typical round 1 style, with both clubs very timid in the early stages and not really mustering any significant chances. The deadlock was broken however late in the first half by Heidelberg’s Melanie Camilleri, who managed to slam home the ball from close range, despite South’s goalkeeper getting a hand on the shot.
This was to be the only goal of the game despite South’s efforts to continually push forward in the 2nd half and try and grab an equaliser at every opportunity.
Despite the loss South will head into the Round 2 contest on Sunday against Box Hill Inter confident that it can match it with the powerful teams of the competition. The game will kick-off at Bob Jane Stadium at 1pm.
In the reserves curtain-raiser, South came back from a goal down to draw with Heidelberg 1-1.