The NPL Victoria round kicked off with three 1-0 results; Melbourne Knights, Hume City and Dandenong Thunder all earning narrow victories over their respective counterparts Port Melbourne, Green Gully and Ballarat Red Devils respectively.
A Ryan De Vries led Bentleigh clawed back a goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Heidelberg, while Northcote earned a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Goulburn Valley Suns in the final Saturday match.
The Sunday fixtures saw two blowouts from the league’s two best outfits; South Melbourne overcoming Werribee City 4-0, and Oakleigh Cannons ousting Pascoe Vale 3-0.
Port Melbourne Sharks 0 defeated by Melbourne Knights at JL Murphy Reserve
The first of three 1-0 results this week, the Melbourne Knights stopped the rot of bad form by dispatching of Port Melbourne who’ll now have both eyes firmly on those teams below them, with relegation a big possibility.
Stipo Andrijasevic was the the Knights’ hero, capitalising on a set piece to head home past the Sharks’ custodian.
The result wasn’t without controversy however as a pair of strong penalty claims by the home side were turned down by the official.
Green Gully 0 defeated by Hume City 1 at Green Gully Reserve
Hume City also required the solitary goal to triumph over Green Gully on Saturday afternoon. That winner came early into the contest, with Richie Cardozo converting from the penalty spot in the 16th minute.
The spot-kick was awarded against goalkeeper Kieran Gonzalez, who brought down Hume’s Kliment Taseski inside the area. He wasn’t able to redeem himself as he watched the penalty clinically dispatched into the bottom corner.
Controversy struck late in the game as Hume saw the ball fall into the back of the net for a second time following a free-kick, but the goal wasn’t to stand as the referee had previously blown for a halt in play due to a clash between Roddy Vargas and Kieran Gonzalez.
The win shores up City’s position in the top five, with a game against Ballarat Red Devils waiting next week.
Ballarat Red Devils 0 defeated by Dandenong Thunder 1 at Morshead Park
The third 1-0 result to split sides in this week of NPL action, Dandenong Thunder secured what could prove to be a vital three points towards their survival charge.
Two months ago, relegation seemed a distant worry for the Thunder but a poor period has seen them largely entrenched at the wrong end of the ladder. Regardless, they put in a spirited performance to beat Ballarat away, with a deflected strike from Melbourne Victory trialist Keiran Dover splitting the sides.
His goal just beyond the hour mark was soured by a red card to teammate Alan Kearney for a second bookable offence. They were forced to hold on for the last 30 minutes, but did so to earn a first win in ten games, shooting eight points clear of the drop in the process.
Heidelberg United 2 drew with Bentleigh Greens 2 at Olympic Village
A double to Kiwi Ryan De Vries wasn’t enough for Bentleigh to take maximum points against Heidelberg United, who hit home in the 83rd minute to earn a share of the spoils.
The home side scored both the first and the final goals of the game; midfielder Andrew Cartanos firing home from distance to break the deadlock in stunning fashion. Bentleigh then got themselves in front, with De Vries netting either side of the break before Kaine Sheppard hit home his 10th goal of the season to conclude the scoring.
The draw ensures the pair end the round at third and fourth position respectively.
Goulburn Valley Suns 1 defeated by Northcote City 3 at McEwan Reserve
The home loss for Goulburn Valley makes the task of NPL safety all but mathematically impossible as they sit on a paltry 10 points for the season – a whopping 13 points off safety with five games remaining. They did make it hard for Northcote City, a testament to the spirit in the camp.
The game got off to a flying start as Liam Wooding clinically dispatched his second minute shot to give the visitors the lead. Former A-League veteran Simon Colosimo pulled one back for the hosts with his fifth minute header.
Marino Gasparis put Northcote in the lead before half-time with a picture perfect free-kick, before young forward Wade Dekker put the result beyond any doubt with his second half goal.
Oakleigh Cannons 3 defeated Pascoe Vale 0 at Jack Edwards Reserve
Oakleigh shored up their spot as the second best team in the league after a 3-0 victory over Pascoe Vale. With the title still in sight – albeit very slightly – the Cannons came out firing through Veton Korcari who bundled home just after the 30 minute mark.
The ever dangerous Nate Foster was the next to trouble the scorers as he made it two after the break. Dean Piemonte off the bench capped off the result with his 77th minute strike.
Read more > Weimper: One week at a time
See more > GALLERY: Oakleigh Cannons FC v Pascoe Vale SC
South Melbourne 4 defeated Werribee City 0 at Lakeside Stadium
Werribee were the poor recipients of a rampant South Melbourne attack on a revenge mission after their loss to Bentleigh last time out. The goals came from South’s usual suspects – leading goal scorer Milos Lujic bagged two, Jamie Reed hit home from the penalty spot and Nick Epifano rounded off the result.
Werribee had hit form in recent weeks but were no match for the ladder leaders, with Reed kicking off proceedings with his penalty on the half-hour. Lujic then tapped home twice in the last five minutes from the first term to effectively kill off the contest with 45 still to play.
Epifano made sure that was the case as he netted 10 minutes from the resumption of play.
The win sees South Melbourne extend their NPL lead to seven points, while City could be in the bottom two, given Ballarat win both their games in hand.
NPL Team of the Week
NPL fixtures wrapped up by Jordan Lim (@JordanLim24)
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In NPL 1 action, it was business as usual for ladder leaders Avondale, notching up a hard fought 1-0 win over Richmond. Elsewhere, North Geelong consolidated second spot, beating Sunshine to ensure they remain one point ahead of third placed Box Hill with a game in hand.
Indeed, Box Hill and St Albans are still nipping at North Geelong’s heels, with all three teams taking maximum points. Of the other outside contenders for that second promotion spot, Bulleen suffered a draw against Springvale, while Moreland lost to Brunswick, and Richmond were defeated by Avondale, in case you didn’t read the opening sentence of this intro.
Richmond Soccer Club 0 defeated by Avondale Heights Soccer Club 1 at Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Richmond’s late season revival – along with promotion hopes – took a hit as a plucky Avondale defeated them 1-0. Oleksij Khrapko’s 35th minute winner was enough to seal the game for the top placed side, but the performance was less than convincing for the visitors, who had to survive a wave of Richmond chances.
One may have felt that the presence of suspended star Hamlet Armenian was really missed on the night, with the hosts needing another clinical finisher to help out.
Brunswick City 3 defeated Moreland Zebras 2 at Dunstan Reserve
Lowly Brunswick pulled off a huge upset, stunning an in-form Moreland 3-2. Similar to the Springvale game the previous week, Brunswick scored two consecutive goals – via Matthew Tancevski and Amara Kromah – from two shots against the run of play to lead at the break.
Usual suspect Mason Interlandi was forced to pull off a string of saves to help Brunswick retain their lead, but he was only able to keep the visitors at bay until the 60th minute, when James Papadimitriou popped up to score. The latter had a brace via wicked cross-cum-shot in the 86th minute to level the contest. With Moreland pushing forward for the late winner to keep their slim promotion hopes alive, it was instead Baggio Yousif that latched onto a hoofed clearance forward to score the upset winner for Brunswick in sensational circumstances.
North Geelong 2 defeated Sunshine George Cross at Elcho Park
North Geelong have taken a huge step towards securing promotion, holding off a determined Sunshine 2-1. In a quiet opening half, Michael Grgic’s opener with a header from a corner was the only real point of action.
Mark Paleka doubled the advantage after half time with a stunning strike, before Tom Reilly ensured the latter stages of the game would be nervous ones for North Geelong, nodding in a header from a free kick. Despite Sunshine’s best efforts to nab an equaliser, North Geelong held on to claim a vital three points.
Dandenong City 4 defeated FC Bendigo 1 at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
Dandenong City dispatched a disappointing Bendigo 4-1 to maintain their late season form. Danijel Buhic was the beneficiary of Steven Topalovic’s good build up play in the 8th minute, before Matthew Breeze’s excellent free kick beat everybody to square the ledger.
It was all Dandenong from there, as Topalovic again beat the defenders, sneaking home a goal. Dario Matkovic added a third goal just minutes later with a strike from outside the box, before sealing the game in the 68th minute with a fortuitous penalty, when Alex Rojas missed his, but the spot kick had to be retaken due to an indiscretion.
St Albans Saints 3 defeated Whittlesea Rangers 0 at Churchill Reserve
A nice spread of goals did the job for St Albans, riding a wave of confidence following their midweek away FFA Cup fixture triumph over Parramatta.
Nicholas Cullen opened the scoring in the 12th minute after latching onto a Brodie Paterson long ball. In perfect symmetry, both players switched roles 12 minutes after half time, with Cullen turning provider for Paterson. A third just before full time was added by Tedros Yabio, who was the beneficiary of a Barry Devlin foray forward – an often common sight these days – who cut the ball back for the former to slot home.
Box Hill United 1 defeated Kingston City 0 at Wembley Park
Melbourne Victory trialist George Howard kept the hosts within touching distance of a top two berth, sealing a 1-0 win in Siberian-like winter conditions.
In a match often interrupted by niggling fouls and passages of play spoiled by the final ball, Howard took the rare opportunity presented to either side to seal a mostly comfortable victory, though Box Hill Custodian did pull off two brilliant blocks to deny James Karvelis and Nic Miliaresis in either half.
Springvale White Eagles 2 drew with Bulleen Lions 2 at Serbian Sports Centre
Awaiting correspondence
NPL 1 fixtures wrapped up by Mark Gojszyk (@hahahamark)
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The biggest result of round 17 saw Monbulk hang on for an entertaining and surprising 1-1 draw with Bulleen, as Bobby McGuinness’s side slipped to third place on the ladder.
Boroondara advanced into second at Bulleen’s expense, comfortably defeating Box Hill 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Heidelberg bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Casey after they were defeated by Ashy with Sandringham doing the same, claiming victory after their exit from the Women’s State Knock Out Cup during the week.
Bundoora United 2 defeated by South Melbourne Women’s 5 at Hillsview Recreation Reserve
Bundoora may have taken an early lead against the ladder leaders but their joy ended there with South running right over their opponents on the scoreboard.
Tiffany Eliadis bagged a clinical hat-trick, while Natalie Martineau found the back of the net on two occasions.
Bundoora were punished for their errors despite having the majority of possession.
“I’ve never been in a game before where a team has had that much possession and totally dominated the game to lose 5-2,” Bundoora coach Mark Torcaso said.
The result inflicted further pain on a struggling Bundoora outfit who have gone winless since round 12.
NTC U17’s 3 defeated Ashburton 1 at State Football Centre
Joe Montemurro’s girls proved too good on Saturday afternoon, defeating Ashburton 3-1.
A brace by best-on-ground Jess Pitts helped her side to a convincing victory, with Edith Fordyce-Croker adding one of her own.
Jess Kotsikas added a late consolation for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough to abate the misery heaped on her side, as Ashburton appear all but resigned to relegation.
Boroondara Eagles 3 defeated Box Hill United 0 at Knox Regional Football Centre
Boroondara advanced to second position on the Sportsmart Women’s Premier League table as they brushed aside Box Hill 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Eagles coach Fil Simao expected his side to complete the weekend in third position but with Bulleen held to only a draw, Boroondara concluded round 17 in second spot.
The hosts enjoyed the majority of the momentum as their midfield overwhelmed their counterparts for large patches of the contest.
Ellen Turner opened the scoring after 20 minutes, with Riahannon Jacobs and Leah Barrett wrapping up the points in the second half.
Heidelberg United 3 defeated Casey Comets 0 at Olympic Village
Heidelberg have bounced back after a shock defeat to Ashburton with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Casey Comets on Sunday afternoon.
John Kyrgios’s side climbed to fifth position on the ladder at the expense of Box Hill as Kendra Jones, Julia Nicolaci and Belinda Pannella all found the back of the net.
Casey keeper Laura Croft salvaged some pride for her side, collecting two votes as her ability between the posts held the game to a respectable scoreline.
Kyrgios expressed his delightful at full-time.
“We’ve been through what you’d call a very bad spell for us the last month” he said.
“We thought that if we won the ball in the middle of the park then we’d win the game.”
Read more > Young Bergers impress Kyrgios
FC Bulleen Lions 1 drew with Monbulk Rangers 1 at Veneto Club
Monbulk ranges remarkably caused the biggest upset of the round, holding on for a 1-1 draw against Bulleen Lions.
The result saw Bulleen slip to third position on the ladder after sitting on top only a few weeks ago.
A spectacular volley by Nikki Ceeney a quarter of an hour into proceedings set the platform for an exciting contest.
The visitors, languishing in bottom place, withstood a barrage from Bulleen to hang on for a point as Bulleen skipper Tessa Sernio found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.
Sandringham SC 4 defeated Cairnlea FC 0 at Kingston Heath
Sandy notched up consecutive victories for the first time this season with a 4-0 rout of Cairnlea, bouncing back after a disappointing exit from the Women’s State Knockout Cup on Wednesday night.
A double from Emma Runnalls saw the result comfortably lay in Sandy’s hands as Steph Tanti and Emma Robers found the net in the first half.
Sandrinham currently sit four points adrift of the top five, with one game in hand.
Read more > Sandy set for finals surge
Continue reading > Marchioli: Confident we’ll stay up
WPL Team of the Week
WPL fixtures wrapped up by Sean Ellicott (@SeanEllicott)