Calder United has run the gauntlet and emerged with the 2017 Team App Cup.
United secured the trophy with a dominant 3-1 win over Bulleen Lions in the final at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Saturday.
A powerful Cindy Lay header that thumped into the underside of the crossbar and over the line gave United the perfect start in the Football Federation Victoria’s women’s cup decider.
Bulleen found parity through a lucky deflection off a Brittany Dudley-Smith long-range shot.
Her shot was partially spoiled, but it looped over United goalkeeper Bethany Mason-Jones, who had no chance of keeping it out.
That did not dent Calder’s enthusiasm for finding a winner.
The go-ahead goal was a masterpiece from Rachel Alonso, who acrobatically pounced on a bobbling ball in the penalty area and rocketed it into the roof of the net.
Daniela Gudelj joined in Calder’s scoring fun, finding space before ramming a low-struck shot to the far corner and giving her side a much-deserved insurance goal.
Calder United will now turn its attention back to women’s NPL, where it sits second on the ladder, one point behind South Melbourne.
United will travel to face fourth-placed Alamein at HA Smith Reserve on Sunday.
In men’s NPL, Melbourne Knights are on the lookout for a third coach this season after parting ways with Eric Vassiliadis just five weeks into his tenure.
The decision was made following the Knights’ heavy 4-1 loss to Port Melbourne Sharks on Friday night.
The Knights issued a statement on Friday night, which read: “Melbourne Knights FC have parted ways with coach Eric Vassiliadis by mutual consent.
“The decision between both parties was reached after Friday’s 4-1 loss to Port Melbourne, which has further compounded Knights’ issues at the bottom end of the PS4 NPL Victoria table. The club would like to wish Eric well in his future management endeavours”.
The underdog St Albans Saints claimed a shock 2-2 draw against title contenders Bentleigh Greens at Churchill Reserve on Sunday. Joseph Monek scored a go-ahead goal in the first half and the late equaliser in the second half for the Saints.
Green Gully returned empty-handed from Heidelberg United after going down 2-0 at Olympic Village on Sunday night.
