Image: Ballarat City
There have been draws galore to commence the NPL2 West season with just Northcote City winning both their matches, while six clubs are yet to pick up their first win of the campaign – and Bendigo City still waiting on their first point.
Ballarat City however notched up their first win under new coach Danny Gnjidic and it was Pat Karras at it again, making the difference for his side.
Having scored a screamer which only proved to be consolation last week, this time his goal served as the winner when a cross into the box wasn’t dealt with and he applied the finish into the back of the net in the first half.
Whittlesea’s task was made all the more difficult after a straight red card to Pavle Durkic in the 65th minute.
The Ranges’ opportunities were limited for the remainder of the match. Ballarat would be pleased with their defensive efforts in keeping a clean sheet after conceding three last week to Brunswick.
Having gone two matches without scoring now, alarm bells may not quite be ringing yet for Whittlesea but the absence of last year’s goal machine Atilla Ofli is telling.
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Whittlesea’s opponents next week in Brunswick haven’t found scoring as difficult, at least not star striker Adam Wright, whose tally now sits at three goals in two games after finding the net away against Werribee City.
In that clash, both sides exchanged chances but both sets of goalkeepers were able to keep the contest scoreless at half time.
However, it were the hosts who took the lead when Nemanja Govedarica’s left-footed delivery found Darcey Den Ouden running in on goal, who applied a left-footed finish.
Having been thwarted in a one-on-one earlier in the contest, Wright wouldn’t be denied later when substitute Matt Murphy headed a cross into the box, and somehow the inexplicably unmarked Wright had a free header on the bounce which he finished off with aplomb.
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That moves Brunswick into equal second, behind Moreland Zebras on goal difference who imposed a rugby-esque scoreline on Bendigo City.
Regsan Watkins opened the scoring just after the 20-minute mark and from there it was a landslide.
Nejc Kolman was the main beneficiary, scoring an incredible four goals as he looks fit and firing following an often injury-interrupted campaign last season.
Attacking duo Nick Niagioran and Amir Osmancevic also opened their accounts in the rout as Fausto de Amicis’ side enjoyed a big day out.
On the other end of the spectrum Srecko Baresic-Nikic’s side have a lot to do on the training ground after now scoring zero and conceding 13 goals in their first two hitouts of the season proper.
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Northcote City maintained their perfect start to the season – two wins and two clean sheets – after a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory who, like Whittlesea and Bendigo, are still looking for their first goals of the year.
Northcote captain Josh Knight netted for the second week in a row, this time from the penalty spot after half an hour after a foul was seen by the referee in the box.
That was it on the goal front, with a good chance for an equaliser falling to Matt Hennessey, who headed a corner just over early in the second half.
Even with James Papadimitriou’s dismissal for a second yellow card later in the contest, City held firm to deny Victory.
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The only scoreless encounter of the week came between Sunshine and Moreland City, both of whom now have two draws to open their season accounts.
From an early corner Brandon Scerri nearly headed the ball into his own net, however the outstretched Robert Santilli spared any blushes.
The Georgies were then denied twice in a goalmouth scramble when Teddy Yabios’ strike cannoned off Kieran McDowell, only for Christopher Dib’s follow-up being deflected out by Felix Rosman.
Jonathon Brooke, a signing from Mandurah in Western Australia, nearly opened the scoring from the dead ball however a scrambling McDowell clawed the ball out of the top corner.