PS4 NPL Review Men's Round 10 / Women's Round 8
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PS4 NPL Victoria
By Brandon Galgano
Avondale FC 0 South Melbourne FC 2 (Epifano pen 25’, Lujic 90+3’)
South Melbourne maintained their status at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Avondale FC on Friday night at Knights Stadium.
With both sides in hot form coming into the contest, Avondale coach Anthony Barberi elected not to change a winning side meaning star playmakers Massimo Murdocca and Jonathan Germano both had to contend for a spot on the bench.
In an even start to the contest both sides had chances early with Avondale enjoying territorial dominance in a positive start to the match for the hosts.
That positivity soon evaporated though as a clear handball from centre back Baki Efe saw South Melbourne go to the spot in the 25th minute with star winger Nick Epifano making no mistake, driving the ball low past May to make it 1-0.
Avondale responded well though and could've had a goal themselves when veteran striker Matthew Sanders got on the end of a great cross from the impressive Omar Ammache but his volley sailed high and wide of Nikola Roganovic’s goal.
They didn't stop there though and had a number of great chances to equalise in the second half with Oleksy Khrapko and Sanders both denied by outstanding saves from Roganovic who showcased the type of form which earned him an A-League contract with the Melbourne Heart back in 2011.
Those saves proved to be the difference as Avondale simply couldn't find an equaliser before Milos Lujic sealed the points in stoppage time with a composed finish as Avondale pushed forward in search of a goal to finish the game at 2-0 South Melbourne.
Richmond SC 2 (Kokolakis 6’, Armenian 22’) Northcote City 3 (Rizk 9’, Crowley 29’, Bounas 38’Pen)
Northcote City’s resurrection under returning coach Goran Lozanovski has continued with a massive 3-2 victory against Richmond at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night.
With both sides in desperate need of a victory it was the hosts who took an early lead though former Northcote man Nick Kokolakis who drove home a sensational finish into the top corner in the 6th minute to make it 1-0.
That lead lasted barley three minutes though as Anthony Rizk levelled the scoring following a good pass from Aaron Ward to make it 1-1.
Hamlets Armenian then restored the hosts lead with a sensational diving header to make it 2-1 in the 22nd minute before new Northcote signing Brayden Crowley levelled the scoring with a clinical finish past Chris Davies to make it 2-2 just seven minutes later.
A foul in the box by Brian Bran meant City had a chance to take the lead from the spot which was duly taken by Jonathan Bounas who slotted home, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-2.
Richmond fought back in the second half but were unlucky not to get a share of the spoils with Alex Caniglia hitting the crossbar and a header from Bran went just wide.
They couldn't find an equaliser though with the final score seeing Northcote record their first win of the campaign.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Nigro 73’) Melbourne Knights 2 (Brekalo 35’, Hicks 90’)
The Melbourne Knights made it two stoppage time victories in a row this week with another last gasp winner securing the three points this time against the Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Following their dramatic FFA Cup qualifying victory over Oakleigh on Tuesday night, the Knights went into the match full of confidence against a Victory side who impressed in their 1-0 loss against South Melbourne last week.
Goal Scoring hero from that Oakleigh game Josh Brekalo opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Stefan Nigro equalised just over 15 minutes from full time for the hosts.
And just as it was looking like a draw, former Wellington Pheonix playmaker Jason Hicks scored a stoppage time winner to seal another vital win for the visitors with the final score 2-1 in favour of Knights.
Green Gully SC 1 (Lambadaridis 65') Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club 2 (Pilkington 21' Lucas 24')
A Bentleigh quick-fire double was enough to secure the points in a wind-affected scrap at Green Gully Reserve.
Gully held their own through first 20 minutes but were ultimately punished by Bentleigh's movement at cutting edge.
Luke Pilkington, back from injury after missing two games, showed no sign of the hamstring strain that had hampered him as he split the Gully midfield and finished after a one-two with Matt Thurtell that played him into the area.
Minutes later it was Ryan Paczkowski stretching the Gully defence, his cross from wide on the left tapped in by Chris Lucas on an angle beyond the right-hand post.
Gully battled back into the contest but couldn't manufacture enough clear-cut chances for an equaliser after George Lambadaridis had scored in the 65th minute.
Lambadaridis picked out the bottom left corner with his shot from the top of the box after a cut-back from the left by Nick Krousoratis.
Hume City F.C. 3 (Rexhepi 44' Harris 61' Clark 88') Heidelberg United FC 2 (Noon 2' Sheppard 77')
Heidelberg United lost vital ground in the title race after Daniel Clark's late winner claimed all three points for Hume City at ABD Stadium.
Heidelberg had caught Hume cold in just the second minute when Harry Noon tapped in at the back post after Sean Ellis' cross from the left.
The Bergers then enjoyed control of the contest, denied by Chris Oldfield on a couple of occasions as they sought a second goal.
Hume's equaliser came against the run of play when Shane Rexhepi knocked in an off-target attempt through the area by Kym Harris.
Harris was then the scorer in the 61st minute when he knocked in a ball from the right by Nick Hegarty.
Heidelberg sparked up, Kaine Sheppard making up for a miss in shooting range by scoring after controlling a ball from the left by Reuben Way.
But Hume had the final say, Clark heading in unmarked from close range as he connected with Hegarty's cross from the left two minutes from time.
FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Romas 67') Port Melbourne Sharks 1 (Zahra 76')
Bulleen's lead mid-way through the second half as Adrian Zahra ensured Port Melbourne would leave the Veneto Club with a point.
Billy Romas opened the scoring when his drive form a tight angle on the left side of the area was able to beat Stjepan Gal in the Port Melbourne goal.
But Bulleen would concede the advantage when a Port Melbourne ball over the top sat up kindly on the synthetic for Zahra to run onto. After riding a challenge, Zahra held his balance to finish past Bulleen 'keeper Griffin McMaster.
Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Frame 26') Pascoe Vale 1 (Prelevic 90+2')
It was late Oakleigh agony for the second straight game at Jack Edwards Reserve as Luka Prelevic's goal gave Port Melbourne a share of the spoils.
Oakleigh had taken a first-half lead when Ross Frame's sweeping left-footed shot caught out a static Pascoe Vale defence.
But Prelevic produced a moment of individual brilliance to save Pascoe Vale a point, shooting with the outside of his right foot at the top of the area to curl the ball into the bottom left corner.
PS4 NPL Victoria Women's
By Mark Gojszyk
Alamein FC 1 (Ayres 49') Calder United 2 (Barilla 51', Alonso pen 84')
Calder United continued their momentum at the top of the table by seeing off Alamein FC's challenge at HA Smith Reserve.
After a scoreless first half, the contest burst into life in the second when Melina Ayres struck for the hosts on the counter in the 49th minute.
Calder struck back almost immediately when a set piece found Enza Barilla at the back post for the finish.
The game settled down into a rhythm again thereafter, and with time running out the contest was moving towards a 1-1 draw.
However the visitors had other ideas when a mazy run from fullback by Stacey Papadopoulos into the box led to a foul and a penalty, which Rachel Alonso dispatched.
Heidelberg United 2 (Gray 36', Barbieri 42') Galaxy United 2 (Ortiz 76', Elsen 86')
The in-form Heidelberg United looked to continue their charge up the table but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against third-placed Galaxy United on Saturday.
The hosts would have been disappointed to end the game with only a point after leading 2-0 with 15 minutes to go.
It started brightly when in-form striker Leigh Gray again struck her seventh goal of the campaign.
Her strike was followed by Melissa Barbieri's on the stroke of half time to give the hosts the two-goal advantage.
In a tale of two halves, substitute Olivia Ortiz made a positive impact by pulling a goal back in the 76th minute, before Britt Elsen squared the ledger just minutes before the final whistle.
Southern United 1 (Saphri Lines 46') Box Hill United 1 (Hall 22')
Southern United and box Hill had to settle for a point each after a 1-1 draw at Dallas Brooks Park on Sunday.
Both teams took advantage of the wind, as Kristina Hall's 22nd minute goal was cancelled out by Saphri Lines' spectacular effort just after the break.
Marguerite Eudes was busy early at right back for the visitors in the opening minutes, heading wide before teeing up Jasmina Pedic for a shot that flew just wide.
The former's day ended only after a quarter of an hour after a collision while running towards the Southern keeper Freya Crocker.
Predictably, Southern were pinned in their half due the strong wind early, while Box Hill struggled to adjust the weight of their passes going forward.
Crocker continued to be busy early by way of through balls bring over hit into her area.
The visitors' two imports were busy in the middle and combined for the first goal when Maren Heller's cross saw Southern unable to clear their lines with conviction, allowing Hall space on the edge of the area to shoot low past Crocker.
The remainder of the half continued to lack clear opportunities as neither sides could find their passing range.
A short corner combination almost led to a second for Box Hill before the break when a one-two led to Hall passing the ball to Heller, who struck the crossbar.
After half time the game turned on its head when Saphri Lines lobbed the ball up from near the centre circle, and in a real nightmare for Emily Shields in goal, the wind carried it all the way into the net.
That continued to be the flavour of the half as the likes of Lines, Candela Fereyra Bas and Rebecca Saber all looked to shoot on sight.
Trouble in playing out from away side's defence also saw Jess Beddows with a one-on-one chance, but Shields cleaned up the mess.
The custodian had to be on guard to block Chelsie Selleck's effort after Tiffany Eliadis' ball, with both substitutes combining for a good chance.
The last action of the game actually saw Box Hill with the chance to score a late winner when a cross came in; Ellen wines shot at the keeper, the block fell to Melanie Camilleri, who hit the rebound back at Wines blocking the goal.
And with that, both sides would have rued their inability to take all three points on offer to work their way out of the bottom half of the table.
Bayside United 1 (Shearing 90+2') FC Bulleen Lions 2 (Gudelj 25' Pollock 82')
In a game that reached no great heights, Bulleen stayed within one point of ladder leaders Calder albeit after a late scare at Kingston Heath.
Bayside held steady for the first 20 minutes but a misdirected defensive clearance gifted Daniela Gudelj an empty net to shoot into in the 25th minute.
Without being able to meaningfully threaten Bulleen goalkeeper Lauren Farrugia, Bayside slowly started to win the arm-wrestle for control of the match. Central midfielder Emma Robers was a combative and determined driver of Bayside's gradual improvement in the match.
But a Bulleen corner against the run of play in the 82nd minute would result in a headed goal to Jamie Pollock and 2-0 Lions lead, the midfielder unmarked at the far post.
Kirstie Shearing was credited with a goal from a goal-mouth scramble in stoppage time. Courtney Conrad nearly stole a point for the home side but was flagged offside as she tried to score in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Bulleen's win was soured by an ankle injury to centre back Alex Natoli, which required the defender be immediately subbed out of the game.
PS4 NPL Victoria 2 - Cross-Over Round
By Jordan Lim
Moreland Zebras 2 (Kolman x 2) Springvale White Eagles 3 (Ricciuti 54’, Pykett 62’, Stoilovic 81’)
The Springvale White Eagles renaissance under new manager Nik Kovacevic has continued as they notched up a third straight win, this time with an upset win against ladder-leaders Moreland Zebras.
A wonder-strike to former Heidelberg United man Nejc Kolman had earlier put Moreland in the lead, however goals to Josh Pykett and Jason Ricciuti saw the Eagles leading just beyond the hour mark.
While Kolman hit back with his second of the contest, a late Damir Stoilovic goal had the Zebras reeling as the forward capped off a flowing team move to grab the full complement of points, lifting to seventh on the PS4 NPL2 East ladder.
It caps off a brilliant month of football for the White Eagles faithful who’ve now seen their side go five games unbeaten, while the Zebras saw their lead cut to just goal difference after North Geelong claimed victory over the weekend.
Moreland City 0 Dandenong Thunder 4 (Barnes 31’ 60’ 80’, Korcari 84’)
Both Brandon Barnes and Dandenong Thunder continued their respective hot-streaks as the undefeated visitors grabbed a tenth successive victory to start the NPL2 campaign.
They did it in impressive manner too, firing four unanswered against NPL2 West strugglers Moreland City, who have claimed just three from their last 18 available points.
The aforementioned Barnes was once again the star of the show for the Thunder as he netted not only a second hat-trick of the season, but also scored for the sixth game in succession and jump to the top of the PS4 NPL 2 East Top Scorers charts with his 10th, 11th and 12th goals of the season.
The first came after half an hour, and he added a further two in the second half, before the experienced Veton Korcari struck late to ice a mammoth 4-0 result, temporarily going five points clear of Kingston City in second place.
Brunswick City 2 (Portillo 41, Wright 67’) Bendigo City 2 (Sporle, O’Keefe)
New head coach Jose Montana Santamarta made an immediate impact at regional outfit Bendigo City, as they grabbed a deserved score draw against surprise packets Brunswick City.
The visitors didn’t let the travel affect them, as they raced away to an early 2-0 lead courtesy of goals to Matt Sporle and a Carl O’Keefe finish from outside the box.
With a 10 point gap opening up between Brunswick and ladder-leaders Dandenong Thunder, they began to chase goals, and pulled one back before half-time through Juan Portillo from the spot.
Adam Wright then found the equaliser mid-way through the second half, although Bendigo were able to rally and hold onto the point, courtesy of some brilliant work from their defence and goalkeeper.
North Geelong Warriors 1 (Eze) Murray United 0
American import Kene Eze continued his bright start to life in regional Victoria, slotting home the deciding goal in a narrow 1-0 victory over Murray United.
It proved to be an incredibly important goal too as the win took the Warriors to within three goal difference of outright top spot on the NPL2 West ladder, sitting just behind Moreland Zebras who slipped up on Friday night against Springvale.
The scrap of a contest saw both sides exchange small jabs for the most part, only for the game to be broken by Eze, who capitalised on a defensive error to put away the only goal of the contest.
Dandenong City 4 (Filipovic 8’, Cassar 68’ 75’, Antoniadis 78’) defeated Sunshine George Cross 1 (36’)
Dandenong City proved too strong for a 10-man Sunshine George Cross as they secured a 4-1 win - their first win since the start of April.
Shaun Filipovic capitalised on a fluent team move to put the hosts in front after just eight minutes, only for Nathan Liberto to slide home from a cutback from the flank, equalising for the Georgies.
Anthony Cassar grabbed the first of a quick fire double with a neat finish in off the post, before finishing a considerably easier opportunity on 75 minutes.
Chris Antoniadis completed the rout just three minutes later, beating the keeper to a loose ball and sliding into an open net.
Eastern Lions 2 (Neales 55, Saric 70’) Whittlesea Ranges 5 (Ofli 4’ 40’ 47’ 51’ 86’)
A stellar individual performance from Whittlesea Ranges man Atilla Olli helped the visiting side to a 5-2 win over Eastern Lions, the forward grabbing all five goals for his side.
Ofli grabbed two before half time, before another quick two in succession just after the play’s resumption saw the Ranges hold a 4-0 lead.
Cameron Neales pulled one back soon after to continue his run of four successive games on the scoresheet, and defender Slavisa Saric grabbed a second for the Lions but it was too little, to late for the hosts as Ofli rounded off the result with a fifth in the dying embers of the contest.
It was an important result for the Ranges as the surprise packets sit just goal difference behind Moreland Zebras and North Geelong Warriors in the race for automatic promotion.
Melbourne City 7 (Cristaldo 5’ 35’, Marafioti 26’, Athanasiou 34’, Eyigun 66’, Barforosh 80’ 90’) Nunawading City 0
There was yet more misery for Nunawading City who were embarrassed by Melbourne City, who amassed a seven goal tally against the struggling NPL2 East side.
Christopher Cristaldo got the ball rolling with a neat finish from the spot, before Giuseppe Marafioti soon made it 2-0 with a placed effort at the second time of asking.
A ‘quick-fire double salvo’ had Nunawading reeling at 4-0 as Leo Athanasiou netted, as did Cristaldo to complete his brace.
Ali Eyigun powered a low free kick through a wall and keeper to make it five, before youngster Tom Barforosh grabbed a brace off the bench, finishing two well worked team moves.
Box Hill United 3 (Muriqi 45+1, 47, 52) St Albans Saints (Monek 25’, 72’, Devlin 85’)
A goal fest at Wembley Park ended in a draw as St Albans Saints came from two goals behind to grab a 3-3 draw with hosts Box Hill United.
Rinor Muriqi was the star of the show, grabbing a six minute hat-trick either side of the break, while for St Albans, young star Joe Monek grabbed two, with Barry Devlin heading home an 85th minute equaliser.
Muriqi’s expert set-pieces proved the catalyst in the opening hour of the contest, teeing up Michael Godfrey for a point blank header that sailed over the bar, and also a deflection from a corner which cannoned off the crossbar and out.
St Albans also tested the woodwork through Monek, who steered a shot from the angle onto the upright, after Keegan Coulter saved Josh Knight’s initial shot.
The opener came through Monek who beat Coulter to an angled cross, and tapped home into an empty net.
Muriqi hit the postage stamp with a textbook free-kick on the stroke of half-time before slotting a penalty just after the break.
He completed his hat trick after 52 minutes from open play with a close range finish, before nearly adding a fourth with an outlandish attempt from beyond the half way line, which had keeper Alex Baird beat, but not the upright, as it bounced off the post and away.
Monek poked home a second after latching onto a Josh Knight through ball, before swingman Devlin - who played as a striker for the final half an hour - headed home from close range, also via Knight’s delivery.
The drama wasn’t done there as Baird made what will surely go down as a save of the season contender, tipping wide Adrian Del Monaco’s close range effort deep into stoppage time.
Goulburn Valley Suns 0 Ballarat Red Devils 1 (King 90+3’)
In a week which saw star striker Craig Carley officially complete his move to Hume City, Goulburn Valley Suns were also luckless on the pitch as they lost 1-0 to Ballarat Red Devils.
Very little separated the pair at McEwen Reserve in the battle of the former NPL top-flight outfits, however, a David King effort was enough for the visitors to claim the competition points.
With the game heading towards a draw, King was able to head home from a corner to seal the result in stoppage time.
The win was the Red Devils’ fourth in a row, which sees them sit just a game off top spot in a tightly congested NPL 2 West ladder.
Kingston City 3 (Zwen 4’, Iaconis 55' 69') Werribee City 0
Kingston City continued to apply pressure on runaway leaders Dandenong Thunder, notching up a 3-0 win over the struggling Werribee City to close the gap to just five points at the top.
The game saw its first goal early as Mouad Zwed netted his first league goal in just the fourth minute of play at The Grange Reserve, cutting in from the right flank before curling an effort past the keeper.
The hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead, only for Damian Iaconis to put the game to bed with two unanswered goals in the second half.
Kingston travel out to Bendigo City on Saturday in search of a ninth win of the season, while the Bees host Goulburn Valley Suns on Sunday afternoon.
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