With four NPL fixtures last night, it was a resumption of business for Bentleigh, who dispatched Victory to take top spot for now. Sami Nour scored his second winner of the year to condemn Paco to another defeat. Avondale spurned an opportunity for a first win, settling for a point against Oakleigh, while Richmond and the Knights also shared a point each.
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Pascoe Vale now only have one point in their last four games
Their latest defeat came at home to Bulleen, who notched up their second win of the season. It was a fairly low-key contest for the majority, with the first half ending up deadlocked. It was usual suspect Sami Nour who did the damage, smashing into the net in the 62nd minute to score the eventual winner. Paco captain Joseph Youssef hit the crossbar and Matt Conversano also had an effort denied, as the hosts’ late efforts ended up in vain.
Bentleigh recorded a simple win to take top spot momentarily
Melbourne Victory were unable to muster a goal, slumping to their second consecutive 3-0 defeat. Troy Ruthven and Jack Webster both hit the woodwork to send early warning signs. With the break approaching and Victory looking to hold on to re-group for the second period. Webster eventually broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, before Chris Lucas doubled the lead in added time. With time running out towards the end of the 90, Ryan Paczkowski added the finishing touches to the contest.
Avondale earned their first point of the season
With the opportunity for a second-half penalty goal that went begging. Oakleigh took the lead mid-way through the first half through Dimi Hatzimouratis, who netted his third goal of the season. The equaliser came via Tasmanian import Yitay Towns, who smacked in an equaliser via a volley that crashed in off the crossbar. Oleksiy Khrapko had the chance to give the hosts the lead in the 72nd minute when he was taken down in the box, but his penalty was saved by John Honos, who preserved the eventual 1-1 scoreline. The visitors then had to deal with the late red card to Abdul Okud.
Check out Yitay Towns scoring his first goal for the club last night in emphatic style. We were surprised that the crossbar didn’t break. Full match highlights still to come. #AFCvOC #Avengers
Posted by Avondale FC on Friday, 1 April 2016
Knights and Richmond had to settle for a point
A week after a sensational win at home to South Melbourne, Richmond looked on their way to another victory when Jake Barker-Daish sent in a rocket from distance just minutes into the contest. The visitors equalised not too long later, when Tim Purcell bundled home after a cross from the left, capitalising on a defensive lapse in concentration.
The second half saw Gian Tapia called upon to save well from Jason Hicks, while a 10-man Knights had to withstand Richmond late after Chris Talajic was forced off late in the contest.
[VIDEO] The 2 goals from the 1st period that have the scores locked at 1-1.
Second half not far away! #MKFC #RSCvMKhttps://t.co/vQSY1F9Mq8
— Melbourne Knights FC (@MelbKnights) April 1, 2016