A bit of a low-key week that saw two scoreless draws and six clean sheets in total. But that’s good news for the defenders, who don’t often get as much praise as their attacking counterparts.
***
GK: Ryan Scott (Bentleigh Greens)
With Bentleigh Greens under siege for periods of the game, the keeper roared back to some of his best form with a number of top saves both low and high, and grew into confidence clearing aerial deliveries with the amount of Heidelberg corners mounting.
RB: Declan Lambert (Richmond SC)
In only his second appearance, young Declan Lambert was in fine defensive form, repelling anything that came his way and contributing to Richmond’s clean sheet and an important point in the race for survival.
CB: Rama Tavsancioglu (Hume City)
Provided vital leadership at the back for Hume, especially at times when Hume came under pressure and when their stocks on the park were dwindling due to red cards. Ensured Northcote didn’t gain the upper hand even when with the advantage of more players on the park.
CB: Luke Walker (Green Gully)
Again featuring in centre-back, Walker provided the rock-solid reliability that has underscored his campaign to date. Was comfortable at keeping most danger that came his way.
CB: James Karvelis (Port Melbourne)
One of the club’s most important performers in recent weeks forming the spine at centre back, Karvelis again shone against Richmond. Dealt with everything that came his way, didn’t looked pressured, and was calm in possession.
LB: Les Doumbalis (Heidelberg United)
Kept his flank safe from danger for much of the contest, keeping his direct opponents from making a big impact in the front third. Also featured in one of the key moments of the game with a crucial goalline clearance.
DM: Jeff Fleming (Avondale)
The evergreen performer produced another tireless showing in midfield, helping his side gain the ascendancy early and provided the ideal connection from defence from attack.
AM: Taka Nishimoto (Bulleen Lions)
A match full of effort and endeavour from Nishimoto, he persisted in Bulleen’s forward half and was eventually rewarded with a goal as his side tried in vain to peg back a three-goal deficit. One of his side’s better performers.
AM: Marino Gasparis (Pascoe Vale)
A clinical showing from the attacking mid despite coming off in the second half, who was exchanging goals with van’t Schip early, going two goals each in the rout that left Victory licking their wounds.
AM: Marcus Schroen
Back to the levels of his earlier season, Schroen provided great set piece delivery and some quality balls into the box from both wide areas. Got into good spots and provided the winning assist on his right.
CF: Davey van ‘t Schip (Pascoe Vale)
Another spectacular performance up front from the Dutchman. Racing out of the blocks early, he was devastating up front with a couple of clinical finishes – including a lob – and won a penalty, leaving his opponents with no chance.
Substitutes
Rani Dowisha (Green Gully)
While Oakleigh’s profligacy contributed to their inability to find the back of the net, so too did Dowisha’s showing between the sticks. Not long after the disappointment of missing the FFA Cup due to suspension, he made a statement with a number of top soves which ultimately contributed to the clean sheet and three points to all but seal finals action for Gully.
Jonatan Germano (Avondale FC)
Continued his rich vein of goalscoring form on the weekend, which now takes his tally to 12 as Avondale move closer to a mid-table finish with a strong run to the end of the campaign. One well-taken finish and a penalty conversion did the trick.
Luke Byles (Heidelberg United)
An assured performance as usual, Byles put in another captain’s knock as he kept the door shut to Bentleigh opportunities and his footballing nous helped keep the quicker and more mobile Bentleigh forward line subdued.
Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
A performance full of purpose and drive, Hegarty as usual helped run the midfield and produced opportunities for teammates in dangerous positions, remaining composed when the side went down to 10 and nine men.
Matt Millar (South Melbourne)
Deployed in a more defensive role, Millar excelled in that, and then also got forward to score the winning goal that eventually sunk a 10-man Knights late in the contest.
Luca Santilli (Pascoe Vale)
Coming on in the second half, Santilli features on the bench for his impact off the pine, which included an assist and a world class goal that compounded Victory’s misery and made Pascoe Vale’s day all the sweeter.