Image: Natasha Morello
A massive 25 goals were scored across the seven games as Heidelberg extended their lead at the top after Gully defeated South at Lakeside, while there were wins for Bentleigh, Oakleigh, Pascoe Vale and Port Melbourne – the latter against Hume which ended the coaching tenure of Ufuk Kubilayhan. Elsewhere, Knights and Avondale split a point each.
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It took only a minute for South to register the first goal against Green Gully after a slick passing move ended up with Nick Epifano finding Milos Lujic for the opener. With South’s pursuit of the top of the table and Gully’s indifferent form lately it looked like South were good value for the victory but it wasn’t to be. Star defender Michael Eagar was out while Kristian Konstantinidis was returning from suspension but the team’s overall defending for the equaliser left plenty to be desired as, from a corner, Gully were able to get a header away that hit the post and pinballed around in the box before Wade Dekker bundled it over. Jonathan Bounas’ goal before the break was much more pleasing to the eye, taking possession and bursting through the middle before unleasing a spectacular effort from distance.
The second half proved interesting despite a lack of goals, with both Jesse Daley and Matt Millar handed yellows for dives, but then on a third attempt from Stefan Zinni after a burst into the box the referee awarded a penalty. It wasn’t meant to be however for the hosts as Lucas Spinella denied Lujic a brace and the scores remained 1-2 for the rest of the game, marking South’s first defeat at home this season.
Heidelberg travelled to Elcho Park with the opportunity to extend their goal difference against a lowly North Geelong, and duly delivered. Last time both sides met a 10-man Heidelberg won 8-0, and this time the Warriors halved the deficit over the 90 minutes (with no red cards). With South’s loss the Bergers are now three points and +5 goal difference ahead. Reuben Way opened the scoring after a pinpoint cross from Kostas Kanakaris. The latter was involved for the second goal as it was his shot that was followed in by Michael Trigger. Adrian Zahra got on the end of a long pass from Jordan Wilkes to make it three, before Kenny Athiu wrapped up proceedings with the fourth.
Nth Geelong Warriors Vs HU #Bergerbrigade @FFV365 @gazzagazzagc pic.twitter.com/53wOPlE6Qx
— Bergerbrigade (@bergerbrigade58) July 1, 2017
Kingston fell back to earth after beating Pascoe Vale with a 3-0 defeat to Bentleigh. The result was all the more disappointing given a Ryan Scott red card put the Greens on the back foot in the 17th minute. Substitute goalkeeper Jordan Gifkins came on for his first league appearance with Dimi Hatzimouratis sacrificed through the early sub. But Kingston couldn’t make the Greens pay and Matt Thurtell gave the 10-men Greens a lead after the break via a free kick situation as Lambros Honos’ short free kick to Trent Clulow led to a delivery which Thurtell controlled and tucked past Kile Kennedy. Thurtell sprung the offside trap again for the second as Honos played him through the middle for the second goal. Clulow had another assist for the sealer, with Thurtell lifting a shot over an onrushing Kennedy for his hat-trick.
Port Melbourne notched up a third straight win, defeating Hume 3-1 to also put themselves in the top six mix. Andreas Govas opened the scoring and then assisted Jordon Lampard to have the Sharks 2-0 up early before Jayden Prasad found Atilla Ofli in on goal to peg one back. Oleksiy Khrapko then sealed the win in the second half. Port Melbourne have become coach killers somewhat, with Ufuk Kubilayhan departing Hume after that defeat, as did Eric Vassiliadis after the Sharks defeated the Knights. Nick Hegarty takes the reins of the senior side in a player-coaching role until further announcements are made.
Pascoe Vale recovered from Monday’s defeat to Kingston to abruptly halt Bulleen’s recent good run with a solid 3-1 win at home. Matt Lazarides turned in Davey van ‘t Schip’s cross for the opener, while the Dutchman doubled the advantage with a lovely move that included a return ball from Philippe Bernabo-Madrid for the finish. The latter then bundled in the third to seal off proceedings. Bulleen pegged one back when Oliver White crossed in for Lewis Hawke.
Oakleigh Cannons kept their top six hopes intact after a big win against bottom side St Albans. The hosts fell behind early however after a penalty call for handball on Janiel Silva, with Ryan McGuffie making no mistake from the spot past injury replacement and one-time Heidelberg keeper Pasquale Gioffre. But Oakleigh pegged one back from the spot to equalise as Dusan Bosnjak squared the ledger. St Albans were then reduced to 10 men as Ben Shaper committed a vicious foul on Steve Pantelidis to receive his marching orders. From there Oakleigh took full advantage as Wayne Wallace bundled the ball over following Tom Matthews’ cross. Mehdi Sarwari was next on the scoresheet, following in Tom Barforosh’s saved effort. Bosnjak put the cherry on top by cutting in and curling one into the back of the net for his brace and a 4-1 brace.
At the tenant derby the honours were split between Melbourne Knights and Avondale. Jonatan Germano scored from the spot when the Knights conceded a penalty but Kym Harris equalised before the break with his first league goal of the campaign. The scores stayed that way in the second half as each side had to settle for a point each with the Knights reducing the gap on Kingston to four points after their defeat to Bentleigh.