Image: South Melbourne
Four games were played overnight and four clubs – South Melbourne, Bentleigh, Pascoe Vale and Oakleigh – turned over three vital points each in their respective parts of the season.
South Melbourne claimed the Melbourne Derby double this season after seeing off the Knights 2-0 at Somers Street, keeping the pressure on Heidelberg at the top.
Marcus Schroen looked up for it early, having a shot inside the box saved by Fraser Chalmers. There’d be no denying his effort on the half hour mark when, picking up the ball in midfield, there was no pressure applied, allowing him to unload a pearler from distance which had the keeper well beaten.
South looked to put the foot down and Kristian Konstantinidis had a header cleared off the line while Stefan Zinni also had a deflected shot saved by Chalmers.
The Knights had a chance of their own on the stroke of half time when Luke Jurcic’s cross was met by Tom Cahill, but Nikola Roganovic made himself big to block the close-range shot.
The hosts’ momentum grew after the break but they couldn’t make it count as Dixon’s cross was sliced from point-blank range by Kym Harris.
Kamal Ibrahim was next to come agonisingly close, pouncing on a ball in traffic to strike the crossbar.
Controversy followed later as a penalty was called against the Knights only to be reversed as tempers flared.
But the sealer came towards the end of the 90 as Brad Norton’s throw in had Nick Epifano on the run, with his cross meeting Lujic at the back post for a trademark headed goal.
Pascoe Vale claimed a huge scalp to rubber-stamp their finals credentials, and potentially push for top four, seeing off Avondale FC 1-0 at CB Smith Reserve.
Both sides exchanged chances early as Kristian Trajceski was denied by Alex Pavlidis’ legs, while Philippe Bernabo-Madrid was through through on goal but had his one-on-one saved by Chris Oldfield.
But it was the man of the moment who continued his rise in Victorian football, sealing a moment he’ll likely never forget.
Two weeks after making a senior debut and a week after netting his maiden goal, Jonathan Koutroulis was at the right place at the right time to tap in Luka Prelevic’s shot which rebounded off the post, netting the 79th minute winner and send his side into raptures.
Bentleigh meanwhile consolidated third spot after seeing off Port Melbourne 3-2.
Going into the clash without Zane Sole, who suffered a season-ending injury the week prior, matters got worse for the Sharks as Kieran Dover tapped in the opener after Matt Thurtell’s shot blaze across the face.
Despite Bentleigh’s ascendancy, it was none other than Andreas Govas who netted the equaliser when his long distance shot was deflected in to have both sides even at the break.
But it was Kieran Dover who again had the go-ahead goal, converting Andy Brennan’s cross for 2-1 after 71 minutes.
Brennan then turned scorer with a fine finish to net the sealer, with Roberto Stella’s late strike proving mere consolation as the Greens moved onto 42 points alongside South and Heidleberg at the top, though the latter two have one and two games in hand respectively.
Finally, Oakleigh Cannons notched up another three points to solidify their finals hopes, seeing off North Geelong 4-0.
The Warriors returned to the ground which last year brought happier times in their promotion play off to Richmond.
The Cannons were firing from the outset as Dusan Bosnjak hit the post, while Kostas Stratomitros had an effort cleared off the line.
But Dean Piemonte stole the show in the first half, pouncing on defensive clearances to strike a couple of rockets.
The first was a right-footed volley on the edge of the area which deflected past Marko Stevanja in the 19th minute, while he added to his tally from even further out before the break, curling in an elegant left footer.
The goals continued after the break as Bosnjak had a shot saved, which Giuseppe Marafioti tipped in on the follow-up.
Bosnjak had the ball in the back of the net later only to be called offside, but he finally got his goal after bundling in 10`s low cross.