Image: Con Deves
Kingston City’s strive for maiden NPL top-flight survival has been strengthened with a crucial 2-0 win over Bulleen Lions.
City are now seven points ahead of Melbourne Knights with a +16 advantage in goal difference (effectively an extra point’s advantage), including a game in hand. With the Knights having 12 points left on offer (albeit with two clashes against St Albans and North Geelong remaining) and Kingston 15 points, the task becomes increasingly difficult for the Knights after Monday’s result.
The hosts looked up for it from the outset with shots in anger from Taban Makoii and Damian Iaconis sailing wide.
The first flashpoint came as a penalty was awarded against Oliver White following a Kingston corner. Iaconis stepped up to take the spot kick, facing off against Shane Viitakangas, who was returning after a long-term injury layoff and Lewis Italiano’s departure to Wellington Phoenix, with Wyatt Chant returning to a deputising role.
The keeper guessed correctly to his left deny the forward’s low strike.
But while the penalty save highlighted why Aaron Healey was keen to have his original first-choice keeper back in the fold, the eventual opener also highlighted some rustiness after the injury layoff.
Rather than the missed penalty opportunity having an adverse effect on Kingston, a corner that was punched away by Viitakangas, which was also partially cleared by Bulleen’s defence, fell at Makoii, who, after some fancy footwork, drove a delivery across the face which the keeper spilled. In pounced captain Simo Jovanovic, who tapped home the all-important first goal.
The Monday night timeslot at the Grange has proven to be a blessing for Nick Tolios’ outfit as teams have consistently struggled to perform at the south-east venue under Monday night lights, with Pascoe Vale also recently succumbing to defeat and much of Kingston’s points this season being earned at home.
Bulleen, who are used to their own Monday timeslot, albeit on a synthetic surface, also struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with a White snapshot just after the break possibly the closest they came before Kingston’s sealer later in the second half.
In somewhat innocuous circumstances, a long bomb forward by Kile Kennedy troubled Bulleen’s backline, with the ball falling to Makoii who polished off a poacher’s effort.
Many pundits may have pencilled in this clash as a potential relegation six-pointer between both clubs expected to dwell at the lower echelons of the table but Bulleen have, in two main bursts of form this campaign, seemingly done enough to ensure their top-flight status for a third consecutive season. They’ll have the opportunity to all but secure that status in a clash at home against St Albans Saints, who could actually put that pressure on the Knights for half-safety as that is still mathematically a possible equation.
However, Dinamo are coming off a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Green Gully, Wade Dekker doing the damage there with a hat-trick while Luke Walker capped off proceedings.
Kingston have a tough proposition against Port Melbourne on Friday. Most clubs have struggled to back up Monday games with Friday fixtures, with that Monday-Friday turnaround often leading to blowouts. On the horizon is also a double-header against Avondale, one half of which comprises a catch-up fixture.
While the Knights’ battle in 12th spot has been a surprise to many, the league continues to throw up curveballs as South Melbourne re-took the league lead from Heidelberg, who were held by an out-of-form Hume City in a success for new player-caretaker Nick Hegarty. Despite gilt-edged chances to Kenny Athiu and Reuben Way often saved by an inspired Michael Weier, Atilla Ofli scored the winner after being released by a sweeping long ball from Theo Markelis. South are on top by a goal difference of one above Heidelberg.
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