Predictably, Thunder and Kingston dominate proceedings in the NPL2 East Team of the Month, with both still comfortably leading the ladder. A handful of other teams feature, including Eastern Lions who had a good month, and there are also some familiar faces who have featured before.
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GK: Julien Chaumet (Kingston City)
The Frenchman made a number of standout saves in City’s last gasp 2-2 draw with the North Geelong Warriors at the beginning of the month. While he didn’t have much to do in the club’s following two fixtures which yielded two victories and a clean sheet, he nonetheless was an assuring presence between the sticks. Can also hold to having made a save of the season contender against the Thunder on Monday night to deny Brandon Barnes the opener.
RB: Alex Schroen (Box Hill United)
Another fantastic month sees Schroen make his third consecutive team of the month appearance already this season. Grabbed a goal in a disappointing 4-2 home loss to the then-rampant Whittlesea before backing it up with two solid outings in the 1-1 draw against Springvale and the 4-1 win over Goulburn. Was moved to a more attacking right forward position against Nunawading where he claimed his first senior career hat-trick in an impressive display.
CB: Simon Colosimo (Dandenong Thunder)
While the Thunder forwards have been earning many plaudits throughout the season, the former Socceroo who marshals their backline has perhaps been their most consistent performer. A rock at the centre of defence in the hard-fought 1-0 win over St Albans at the start of the month, Colosimo was assured in his next three performances where he managed to contain the threat of the likes of Craig Carley, Adam Wright and Jerry Karpeh respectively.
CB: Slavisa Saric (Eastern Lions)
The 20-year-old moved to Gardiners Creek Reserve in the off-season after spending the last two seasons at Springvale and has started every game since round two with his overall performances improving by the week. Played his part in two successive clean sheets at the beginning of the month before scoring his first goal for the Lions against Dandenong City. He then rounded off his month with another respectable outing in the 2-1 win over Murray United.
LB: Zdenek Koukal (Kingston City)
The veteran Czech has been a strong performer whether that be at left-back, central midfielder or at centre back where he has spent most of this month. Nonetheless he slots into his more natural position after scoring his fifth goal of the season against North Geelong before encompassing his versatility with effective showings in the centre of defence which saw City clinch two further victories with his performance in the 1-0 win over Dandenong City exceptional.
RM: Sam Burfoot (Eastern Lions)
Jim Williams’ side were unbeaten over the course of the month as they collecting 10 points from a possible 12 with Burfoot being one of their most impressive performers. The Kiwi was in the thick of the action in his side’s 4-0 win over Werribee which included a goal to his name from the spot. Valuable contributions in their next two games followed before collecting a priceless winning assist via a pin-point cross into the box in the dying moments of the Murray United game.
CM: Dylan Facci (Dandenong Thunder)
He may have only turned 18 but the youngster is showing maturity beyond his tender years by producing a string of great performances in the centre of the park. He assisted teammate Brandon Barnes for the sole goal in the win over St Albans and in the process earned the plaudits of manager Huss Skenderovic who was once again singling out the former Nunawading City teenager after another astute performance against Kingston City.
CM: Cameron Neales (Eastern Lions)
The all action midfielder, who can also play up front as a forward and on the left, was the Lions chief destroyer over the course of April as he scored five goals from midfield. This great run of form began with a second half double over Werribee before grabbing an early goal in another convincing home win over Nunawading City. But he left his best performance last as he scored a double – the latter a stoppage time header to secure all three points in the come-from behind triumph over Murray United.
LM: Dimitri Vithoulkas (Brunswick City)
The diminutive left-winger began his month in style with the third and final strike in City’s dominant 3-0 win over the then-in-from Melbourne City in a game where he caused the opposition defence plenty of problems. The trend continued throughout the month without much effect as Brunswick failed to win their next two only for Vithoulkas to emerge as the Spartans hero as he scored the only goal of their game in their recent 1-0 win over Goulburn which sees them hold onto third place.
RS: Damir Stoilovic (Springvale White Eagles)
The 18 year-old is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in the league and he enhanced this reputation with a great month of football. A 90th minute equaliser against Box Hill saw the White Eagles earn a point before providing two assists to Bradley Blumenthal in the 5-2 defeat over Nunawading. Another assist for the game-winning goal against Dandenong City followed as Springvale ended the month undefeated – partly due to the teenager’s noteworthy contributions.
LS: Brandon Barnes (Dandenong Thunder)
Six goals in four outings over the course of the month tells the whole story for the Englishman who was named on the bench in last month’s team selection. A reoccurring theme proved to be his nous for scoring superb individual goals which included the solitary goal over St Albans, two fantastic driving finishes against Brunswick and another sensational striker to level scores against Kingston. Now has nine goals this campaign, second to teammate Amir Osmancevic who has 10.
Substitutes
GK: Robert Havercroft (Eastern Lions)
Two clean sheets saw the Lions custodian begin the month on a winning note before sensationally popping up to score a last minute equaliser against Dandenong City. He missed his side’s final game of the month through injury.
DF: Marcus Holmes (Springvale White Eagles)
Prompt performances in the White Eagles backline has seen the former Mazenod United defender help the perennial NPL underachievers stay undefeated over the course of April after picking up two wins and two draws.
CM: Kristian Sarkies (Dandenong Thunder)
A consistent performer for the Thunder throughout the season, Sarkies spent parts of the month in a deeper midfield role but also showed his attacking instinct with a classy debut goal for the club as he converted the opener in the 3-1 triumph over Brunswick.
FW: Ben Osei-Safo (Box Hill United)
A great month for the right-sided winger who was utilised in a more advanced role which saw him score against Springvale before claiming a crucial double in the 4-1 success over Goulburn in addition to an effective outing against Nunawading.
FW: Zac Walker (Murray United)
The border club’s talisman proved influential United secured their first win of the season – a memorable 3-2 victory away to Moreland City – and a further point at Brunswick which saw their four game winning streak come to an end with Walker scoring two goals in four games this month.