Image: Whittlesea Ranges
All the top four clubs heading into round 10 drew against each other: Northcote against Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea against Moreland City, allowing Melbourne Victory into the top four after round 10 following their win over Werribee City. Meanwhile, Sunshine George Cross got back onto winning ways against Brunswick City in a mini-slump, one point ahead of Ballarat City who move into a congested mid-table after a 7-0 mauling of Bendigo, with Michael Trigger moving to the top of West’s goalscoring charts with a haul of five.
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Northcote City and Moreland Zebras had a first vs third clash and while it arguably failed to live up to its hype overall, there were a couple of grandstand moments to thrill spectators.
Early on however chances were hard to come by with Griffin McMaster doing well to deny Nejc Kolman, while James Papadimitriou struck the bar with his effort.
All the scoring was done in the second half and it was a usual suspect at the Zebras in Regsan Watkins who pounced on a loose ball in the box following a set piece that wasn’t cleared well enough by Northcote to guide the ball into the back of the net, marking his seventh goal of the campaign.
But with time running out it was captain Josh Knight who won a penalty and scored it himself to send the travelling contingent into raptures and maintain his side’s gap over the Zebras and Moreland City in the chase to the top.
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Second vs fourth in Moreland City and Whittlesea Ranges saw the latter twice come back to seal a draw in a result which won’t necessarily suit either side.
A shot from Mario Piraino hit the bar in one of the earliest chances on goal for Whittlesea. Moreland, however, were up after a penalty which was converted by Trent Rixon.
The Ranges then had an opportunity before the break as Tom Barforosh cut back for Matt Conversano who smashed a shot at Kieran McDowell.
After the break Piraino hit the woodwork again with a scissor kick, and Conversano also had another chance but McDowell again came out on top.
He couldn’t do anything to deny Pariano however, whose luck finally turned in the 52nd minute and he netted the equaliser – his second goal of the year.
But once more City had a penalty and Apai Ukuno took the honours to restore his side’s lead.
He could have wrapped up the contest soon but was another to hit the woodwork, before Janiel Silva salvaged a point in the 90th minute, finishing off Adam Centofanti’s flick on to equalise once more for the Ranges and mark the Brazilian’s first goal for the club.
Whittlesea lose ground in the title race on goal difference, while City’s two big guns up top in Rixon and Ukuno have seven and five goals respectively to maintain second spot but not make up ground on Northcote.
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Sunshine George Cross got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brunswick City in another game decided by a late goal – and a penalty at that.
Sunshine had one in the back of the net early when Jagajeet Shrestha scored in the first half from a corner clearance, however the goal was disallowed as Tedros Yabio interfered with Seb Mattei’s line of sight.
The penalty was awarded when Brandon Scerri lined up a shot in a crowded box and was brought down.
Up stepped Christopher Dib to tuck the penalty away, notching up his side’s first win since round 6.
Brunswick now have lost two in a row to move down to seventh, one point above Ballarat.
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Meanwhile Melbourne Victory made it two in two and continued their ascent up the ladder with a rather straightforward 3-0 win over Werribee City.
Nicholas Sette opened the scoring in the 25th minute when he put away a rebound after Josh Hope’s initial shot was saved.
Pierce Waring has a penalty saved in the second half after Christian Theoharous was fouled in the area but made amends soon after by finishing off a team move involving Callum Goulding and Josh Hope to tap in his third of the campaign.
Both Sette and Waring had opportunities to wrap up proceedings late but struck the woodwork, though Sette finally did find his side’s third in the dying stages to wrap up another three points and also his third goal for the season.
Werribee’s woes continue – it’s now one win in 10 to sit above only Benigo on the ladder.
It’s looking better for Victory who have two big wins on the bounce move to fourth on goal difference ahead of Whittlesea.
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Michael Trigger struck it rich in the gold-rush derby, netting five goals in Ballarat’s 7-0 thrashing of Bendigo.
He followed up his own shot to tap in a save from Donte Thomas to open proceedings in the 20th minute.
Trigger again capped off good indivdual work for the second in the 40th minute, before Shaun Romein blasted in the third moments later – and his first of the campaign to make it 3-0 at half time.
A fairly trademark chip from distance secured Trigger’s hat-trick in the second half, and had two more by the end of the contest, Will Georgiou’s maiden NPL goal sandwiched in between taking advantage of Jake Francis’ good build-up work.
Ballarat City now have their third straight win; Trigger’s five takes him to nine goals from 10 games this season, leading West ahead of Adam Wright, Josh Knight and Trent Rixon (all on seven)
Bendigo now have conceded 40 in 10, an average of four per game.