Image: Caulfield United Cobras
Round 6 of the 2017 State League One saw the likes of Keilor Park and Manningham United stake their promotion claims with hard-fought away victories to continue their rise up the standings while the early struggles for the likes of Mornington, Preston Lions and Casey Comets continued.
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In the North-West, the Altona Magic maintained their 100% start to the campaign following a narrow 2-1 triumph away to last-placed Westgate. The hosts came into the clash on the back of five straight losses and fell behind early on as Kiwi midfielder Jason Hayne slotted home the opener. However, Kevin Taylor’s men put on an improved showing throughout the afternoon and were rewarded with 15 minutes to go when new signing Gino Defeo opened his Sindeljic account to level proceedings. Despite that blow, the Magic recovered and were back in front only a few minutes later as captain Hayne converted from the spot to ensure all three points headed back to Paisley Park.
Keilor Park moved into second place following a 2-1 victory away to Geelong at Stead Park on Saturday afternoon. Goals to Supreet Sangha and Joel Nikolic had Paul Falzon’s men in dreamland as substitute Joshua Talev reduced the deficit for the home side. Despite late efforts at netting an equaliser, Keilor held firm to record their fifth consecutive win of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Sydenham Park secured an emphatic 3-0 win over rivals Preston Lions thanks to goals from Daniel Markovski, Matt Sesay and Koce Delev at Keilor Lodge Reserve. The North Sunshine Eagles moved into joint-fourth following a 4-0 home triumph over the Altona East Phoenix. A double to Diellon Memishi and further strikes from player-manager Arben Isai and VPL Championship-winning defender Shane Rexhepi set the Eagles on path for their first three points at home this term.
Banyule City suffered their first defeat of the league year after going down 1-0 away to the Western Suburbs, who had star striker Deang Aguek on target in the 59th minute. Meanwhile, the points were shared between Yarraville and the Essendon Royals with Glory striker Keith Burch netting a 93rd minute leveller to cancel out Yosuke Saito’s first-half goal at McIvor Reserve.
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In the South-East, Langwarrin continued their excellent start to the season with a 2-0 win over St Kilda at Lawton Park in the Liam Bentley Cup. New signing Liam Baxter played a pivotal part in the opener as his cross was turned into the back of the net by Sam Sweeney for an own goal before George Whiteoak doubled their advantage on the half hour mark.
That win was enough for Langy to maintain a one point buffer at the top of the standings over the Caulfield United Cobras, who prevailed 2-1 over Warragul United at Victory Park. First half strikes from Elias Tsintzas and Tom Rankin set the Cobras on their way to victory, with Joel Baldwin’s last strike mere consolation for the regional outfit.
The Casey Comets’ early woes continued as Jamie Skelly’s side fell to a 2-1 home defeat to the Manningham United Blues, who have now won their past four league games. Canadian forward Allando Matheson opened the scoring for the Comets in the 37th minute only for a Lucas Johns penalty and a late Travis Chalk-Hatton winner ensure the Blues returned to Doncaster victorious.
Meanwhile further down the Peninsula, Mornington’s indifferent start to the season continued as goals from Bonel Obradovic and Michael Kariuki helped South Springvale to a 2-1 win at Dallas Brooks Park. Chris Reid’s late free-kick failed to launch a comeback for the hosts, who have now dropped eight points at home with coach Adam Jamieson seeking to strengthen his squad with reinforcements from the NPL.
The Morwell Pegasus held on for their first win since round one after a 1-0 triumph over the inconsistent Clifton Hill at Ronald Reserve. Hamid Zamani’s 37th minute strike secured a much-needed win for Carlos Retre’s men, who moved into seventh on the standings.
Finally, Malvern City gave up a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with the winless Mooroolbark at Kooyong Park. Goals to Max McArthur and Brad Blumenthal either side of the break were later cancelled out by strikes from substitute Max Solovyev and Ross Clark as the Barkers ended a barren run of five straight defeats to claim their first point.