Image: Con Deves
There were parallels to Heidelberg United and South Melbourne’s victories over Bentleigh Greens and Pascoe Vale respectively, with both winning 3-0 at home against top-six opponents, netting twice in the first half and a sealer in the second, all spread amongst three separate goalscorers – including a centre-back finding the back of the net.
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At Olympic Village, Bentleigh had the chance to increase their lead at the top of the table against a Heidelberg side that hadn’t always fired at home this season, dropping points to the likes of Hume City and St Albans, and were on a three-game winless streak.
But the Bergers had other ideas and from the outset Kenny Athiu broke his mini-drought in recent weeks to step up against the ladder leaders and propel his side into the lead with his seventh of the season.
It was 2-0 just minutes later as Sean Ellis’ corner was met by the head of Steven Pace, who doubled the lead within 15 minutes to have the hosts in raptures.
The challenge would be holding off a Bentleigh side capable of pulling off a big comeback and Chris Theodoridis had to be alert to deny Lambros Honos’ attempt to pull one back.
Harry Noon almost made it 3-0 before the break when his chip over Ryan Scott hit the woodwork, with Heidelberg going into the sheds two to the good.
It did eventually reach 3-0 as Ellis cut in from the right onto his left, curling in what would effectively be the sealer.
Theodoridis then did well to protect his clean sheet with a save to deny Keanu Moore as Heidelberg ran away with the three points.
An alarming trend is developing with Bentleigh in that their losses tend to be heavy, conceding three goals in defeats to Melbourne Knights, Port Melbourne and now Heidelberg.
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Meanwhile, South Melbourne’s resurgence continues with a fourth straight home win courtesy of a 3-0 result against the previously high-flying Pascoe Vale.
Goals to Matt Millar, Luke Adams and Nick Epifano did the trick as South surge up the ladder since their return to Lakeside which has been a fortress.
Pascoe Vale had a few bites early with shots by Davey van ‘t Schip and Luka Prelevic not troubling the scorers, before the visitors made their opportunity count at the other end.
An exchange of a couple of headers fell in the path of Millar, who made no mistake dinking the ball past an onrushing Alex Pavlidis for the lead.
It was 2-0 in the 25th minute when Nick Epifano’s set-piece was flicked on into the path of Luke Adams, applying the finish to double his side’s lead.
Prelevic had another opening before the break to reduce the deficit but was thwarted by Roganovic as the hosts went into the shed buoyed by the half-time lead.
They killed off the contest in the 62nd minute when good interplay ended with Marcus Schroen playing through Epifano, who capped off a productive outing with his side’s third goal.
Roganovic had to work for his clean sheet too however in denying the likes of Gonzalo Munoz and van ‘t Schip later on in a well-polished performance around the park from South Melbourne, who now move up to seventh.
A horror early season on the road has almost entirely been forgotten with a top six spot well in South’s sights as teams around them continue to drop points in one of the tightest ladders in recent memory, while Pascoe Vale have now gone winless in four, albeit three of their results have come against the likes of South, Heidelberg and Avondale.