NPL2 West Team of the Month: May

by Mark Gojszyk 0

It was a tight month all up with no clubs actually dominating overall. Northcote went unbeaten but had two draws in four games, while the likes of Ballarat and Werribee also had solid months, although no club picked up more than eight points out of the 12 on offer for each.

GK: Seb Mattei (Brunswick City)

Didn’t keep a clean sheet but was a solid presence between the sticks for Brunswick in a testing month. Kept Brunswick to having conceded five in the month and prevented teams from scoring more with some impressive performances.

RB: Janiel Silva (Whittlesea Ranges)

A centre-back but we had to fit him in on the right. Another month of classy performances which also saw him score against the victory and his distribution from the back also set up chances for teammates. His talent saw him eventually snapped up by Oakleigh Cannons in the top flight.

CB: Aki Machiyama (Werribee City)

It’s been a tough old season for Werribee but May saw a resurgence of sorts and the team was very impressive defensively, conceding just four times and keeping a clean sheet, with wins against Springvale and, most impressively, Moreland Zebras. The Japanese defender was at the heart of defence during this run.

CB: Tiziano Slongo (Moreland Zebras)

The Italian defender has been a strong addition for Moreland this season. It wasn’t the Zebras’ best month in May but nonetheless a clean sheet against Moreland City and numerous solid showings alongside Medjedovic were a highlight for Slongo.

LB: Liam Flynn (Northcote City)

Flynn was particularly impressive for Northcote and versatile in a number of defensive and attacking roles on the left. Netted against old club Richmond and that free kick to salvage a draw against Moreland City was a particular standout.

CM: Charlie King (Ballarat City)

The Dandenong Thunder result aside, Ballarat had another decent Month in May with good wins against Victory and Brunswick and a clean sheet against Werribee, and its defensive record particularly in those three games was is in large due to Charlie’s work in holding midfield.

CM: Chris Dib (Sunshine George Cross)

Stepped into the middle of the park and dominated during May, helping Sunshine to a strong win against Whittlesea and a clean sheet against Northcote. Excelled in a holding midfield role. Scored a double against Whittlesea and also netted against Murray.

CB: Aaron Turner (Northcote City)

Northcote took eight of 12 points on offer in May but were again the only unbeaten team and Turner was a worthy contributor in midfield. Combative performances in the middle of the park, complementing the likes of Sawan and Knight.

RF: Danny Charalambous (Whittlesea Ranges)

A bright attacking spark for Whittlesea, linking well with fellow forwards and created chances up front. Netted a double against Bendigo to cap the month off.

CF: Adam Wright (Brunswick City)

Still on the Brunswick version of Wright before his Northcote move. Four of his 30 goals for Brunswick before departing after 42 games came in May, scoring doubles against Victory and Bendigo to highlight the impact he’s made on the second tier in Victoria as he now embarks on earning promotion with Northcote.

LF: Nelson Salvatore (Ballarat City)

Had been a consistent performer for Ballarat this campaign with some dazzling displays up front to create chances for teammates. Also started adding goals to his campaign late in the month, beginning with a winner against Brunswick.

Bench:

Josh Dorron (Ballarat City)

It wasn’t the best month for keepers across the league, with picks hard to come by. But Dorron was again a solid presence between the sticks for Ballarat, contributing to two clean sheets and

Peter Sawan (Northcote City)

Formed part of the midfield maestros that helped Northcote go unbeaten for the month even if it wasn’t as dominant a month as usual for City.

Mile Medjedovic (Moreland Zebras)

The experienced campaigner consistently is a key pillar in Fausto De Amicis’ side and alongside Slongo and the rest of the backline.

Adrian Logozzo (Sunshine George Cross)

Continues to notch up another season of senior football at Sunshine and showed plenty of promise for Tony Ciantar’s side in May.

Darcey Den Ouden (Werribee City)

A brace against Springvale White Eagles was his highlight for the month as the 21-year-old continued to be one of the club’s mainstays in the XI throughout May.