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Round 7 of the National Premier League threw up a plethora of candidates for the Team of the Week, and it really was an intriguing weekend of football.
Goulburn Valley Suns finally got off the mark with a 2-1 win away in Werribee, while Port Melbourne also arrested their form slump with a comeback 3-2 win against Northcote City.
There was no such luck for Melbourne Knights, who continued their losing streak in their 2-0 loss against Hume City, while Ballarat couldn’t hold off South Melbourne in their first game at Morshead Park, losing 2-1.
Oakleigh blew Dandenong Thunder away in their 6-0 win to keep up the chase to 100% South, while Heidelberg and Green Gully kept their winning runs with 3-2 wins over Pascoe Vale and Bentleigh Greens respectively.
So without further ado, here is this week’s Team of the Week:
Starting Line-up (4-4-2)
GK – Aaron Romein (BRD): Ballarat’s custodian was one of his side’s standouts between the sticks against South Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. It was hard to fault the keeper as the Red Devils slipped to a 2-1 defeat, foiling multiple South attempts on goal. The keeper was particularly busy in the first half, restricting South to only two goals and preventing the visitors from burying his side all afternoon.
RB – Kristian Konstantinidis (NC): The full back grabs another spot in this week’s edition of the the Team of the Week with an impressive performance in a losing side. Konstantinidis provided some good drive from right back, scoring one of his own and providing the cross for his sides second.
CB – James Musa (SM): Musa has been vital for South Melbourne in the heart of defence and a key reason as to why his side still remains undefeated after seven rounds. The centre half was excellent again for South against Ballarat on Saturday, holding firm in defence with nothing passing the young Kiwi’s path.
CB – Roddy Vargas (GG): A notable stand out in an excellent team performance, the former Socceroo stood up when it counted for his side, marshalling a deep-lying defence in the last 25 minutes of the game as Bentleigh pressed forward to equalise. The defender was vital in preserving his side’s advantage, restricting Bentleigh to limited opportunities despite them holding the majority of possession.
LB – Dominic D’Angelo (OC): Utlized in the centre of midfield against Dandenong Thunder, D’Angelo earns a spot in his more familiar full back position after an impressive performance on Friday night. The 27-year-old completely shut down Dandenong through the middle of the park and was instrumental in his sides 6-0 rout, preventing the visitors from finding any fluency.
RM – Jason Hayne (GG): A second half brace for Jason Hayne has helped Green Gully achieve consecutive victories for the first time this season. His goals were vital for Gully, netting shortly after Wayne Wallace handed Bentleigh the lead, and five minutes later to give his side the ascendancy as Gully held off a charging Bentleigh.
CM – Evan Christodoulou (OC): Christodoulou produced a man of the match performance in this week’s game of the round. The Cannon’s skipper controlled and dominated the contest from the centre of midfield, while netting a goal of his own to go with his two assists.
CM – Nick Hegarty (HC): Hegarty was simply outstanding in midfield for Hume as they heaped more misery on Melbourne Knights. His performance attracted praise from a panel of experts, and he scored a superb long range bullet to go with an assist, allowing Hume to sink the Knights 2-0. His box-to-box play must also be noted, leading from the front and providing a genuine threat with his set pieces.
LM – Dean Piemonte (OC): Piemonte earns selection this week with his best Ole Gunnar Solskjaer circa 1999 impersonation. The attacker bagged a hat trick off the bench in his side’s drubbing over Dandenong Thunder, scoring all three in the last ten minutes of the game. He even muttered to his assistant coach before coming on “I probably haven’t got enough time (to score a goal).” How wrong he was…
FWD – Daniel Heffernan (HU): Heffernan secures a spot in this weeks edition with a man of the match performance for Heidelberg in their 3-2 win against Pascoe Vale. His well-taken second half brace proved a valuable platform for his side to get over the line, especially with the visitors having a late surge in the game.
FWD – Ben Clarke (GVS): Clarke caused problems for the Werribee defence throughout the match, as the Suns claimed their first victory of the season. His intelligent running across the final third was difficult for the Werribee defenders to deal with all afternoon, with one marauding run down the right wing in particular leading to him being fouled for the penalty. His goal was purely the result of a clever run between two defenders, leaving him one-on-one with the keeper. When the Suns dropped to a 5-4-1, he was left up front on his own and was still terrifying Werribee’s back four.
BENCH
GK – Chris Oldfield (HC): The Hume shot stopper came away with a clean sheet against the Knights on Sunday afternoon. He had a relatively untroubled day between the posts but stood up when it counted and made sure the struggling Knights drew a blank.
Lambros Honos (PM): Port Melbourne’s attacking midfielder was a standout on Sunday night, helping his team snap their two game losing streak, defeating last year’s Victorian Premier League champions 3-2. Honos was exceptional in fulfilling his role on the pitch, supporting lone striker Nick Krousouratis whilst providing creativity and drive from the advanced midfield position.
Iqbal Jawadi (SM): Jawadi was excellent again for South Melbourne against Ballarat on Saturday afternoon, providing the assist for Milos Lujic’s goal and holding the midfield firmly together. The midfielder has been an essential component in his sides record breaking start to the season, and was unfortunate not to make the starting eleven.
Goran Zoric (OC): Another unlucky omission from the first 11 this week, Zoric netted two of his sides six goals on Friday night, scoring his brace clinically. He was also a threat down the wing for much of the contest.
Trent Rixon (NC): Rixon backs up his selection in the Round 6 Team of the Week with a spot on the bench this time around. The Northcote striker put in a valuable performance for his side on Sunday afternoon, and despite not registering on the scoresheet, he popped up with two assists from headers. His role as a target man was also vital in a game which was played out in unfavourable conditions.
Thanks to all the FFV match reporters, and our various writers for their contributions to this week’s Team of the Week.
Particular thanks to Mick Alesich once again for the graphics, and his website can be found here: http://www.alesich.com