PS4 NPL Review Men's Round 12 / Women's Round 10
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PS4 NPL Victoria
By Brandon Galgano
Richmond SC 1 (Caniglia 75’) FC Bulleen Lions 0
With neither side having won in over a month of league football leading up to the clash, the first half was an even contest with both goalkeepers Griffin McMaster and Gian Tapia relatively untested in the opening period of action.
The second half though saw the hosts create a number of chances which saw Mc Master step into make a few critical interventions which kept his side level as Richmond pushed for an opening goal.
One constant thorn in the visitors side was the pace of Alex Caniglia with the Richmond number 10 often beating his opponent and was generally dangerous as the game went on.
That danger was confirmed as the winger opened the scoring with fifteen minutes to play, striding in at the back post before volleying home an excellent cross from the right to make it 1-0 Richmond.
Bulleen pushed for an equaliser with the introduction of Gianni De Nittis an attempt from manager Dom Barba to get his side back into the contest but his side was clearly lacking the flair of missing winger Sami Nour and despite forcing Tapia into a late save at his near post, the Lions were unable to find an equaliser with the final score 1-0 for the home side.
Bentleigh Greens 5 (Holmes 24’, Thurtell 26’ Bavcar 52OG’, Lucas 85’, 90Pen) Northcote City 0
Bentleigh Greens continued to heap pressure on South Melbourne at the top of the table with a resounding 5-0 victory over cellar dwellers Northcote City on Friday night.
Tyson Holmes opened the scoring with a thumping header in the 24th minute before Matt Thurtell made it two in two minutes just moments later.
An unfortunate own goal from Nicholas Bavcar early in the second period made the points safe for the hosts at 3-0 before a late double from Chris Lucas sealed what was another important three points for John Anastasiadis' men.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Katebian 45’, Reid O.G 46’) Green Gully 5 (Boland 27’, Jones 65’, Krousoratis 77’, 85’, Christodoulou 90’)
Green Gully continued their drive into the top six with a strong display against a Melbourne Victory side who simply collapsed in the second half at Epping Stadium on Saturday.
Having opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Liam Boland, the visitors looked to be going into the break with the lead but for a late goal for Victory skipper Joey Katebian.
An own goal from Matthew Reid then saw the Victory take the lead just moments into he second period before Gully skipper Daniel Jones leveled the scores again just after the hour mark.
The introduction of former Port Melbourne man Nick Krousoratis by coach Arthur Pappas was the major turning point though with the striker grabbing two goals in the space of seven minutes to give Gully a seemingly unassailable lead before a late goal from Evan Christodoulou secured a vital three points for the visitors with the final score 5-2 Green Gully.
Hume City 4 (Harris 29’, Kearny OG 34’, Markelis 74’, Cahill 87’) Port Melbourne 1 (De Abreau 59’)
In a battle between two top six contenders it was Hume City who took home an important three points with a resounding 4-1 victory over Port Melbourne at ABD Stadium on Saturday night.
South Australian striker Kym Harris opened the scoring for the hosts before an own goal for Irish midfielder Alan Kearney made it 2-0 for the hosts going into the break.
Jamie De Abreu got one back for the visitors fifteen minutes into the second period but Port simply didn't have the quality to break down a resolute Hume defence with late goals for Theo Markelis and Debutant Tom Cahill who finally made his first appearance for the club following a wait for international clearance finally coming through early last week.
The result means Hume jump Heidelberg United into 4th place with Port Melbourne sitting just outside the top six in seventh place.
Melbourne Knights 1 (Hicks 1') Avondale FC 3 (Ammache 69', Symeoy 71', 78')
by Damir Kulas
A fantastic nine minute second half spell saw Avondale overcome the Melbourne Knights in the battle of Somers Street on Friday night with two goals from right-back Nick Symeoy doing the damage.
The home side made the perfect start to proceedings when Kiwi international midfielder Jason Hicks scored his third goal of the campaign inside the opening minute by lobbing the ball over former Knights shot-stopper Chris May.
The hosts would retain that advantage going into the break as they looked to continue their march towards a top six placing.
However the game was turned on its head half way through the second half when Alex Khrapko teed the ball to Ammache who unleashed from outside the box and found the bottom left hand corner of the net for his first senior league goal.
Two minutes later and the Avengers took the lead when Symeoy latched onto a pass from Jonatan Germano 25 metres from goal and found the top corner of the net with his first goal for the club in what is surely to be a goal of the season contender from the 21 year-old.
The former Melbourne City defender then sealed the three points twelve minutes from time when he found himself in the six yard box to finish off a great team move and net an unlikely double to condemn Andrew Marth’s side to their second straight home defeat in the space of seven days as Avondale crept to within a point of the Knights who occupy eight place on the competition standings.
Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Bosnjak 81') Heidelberg United 0
The Oakleigh Cannons recorded a 1-0 victory over Heidelberg United at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night thanks to a splendid late strike from Dusan Bosnjak.
The visitors went into the contest without the services of injured attackers Kenny Athiu, Sean Ellis, Kaine Sheppard and Reuben Way and it was the hosts who had the better of the first interval with Goran Zoric seeing his effort saved by Chris Theodoridis while Dean Piemonte had his shot cleared off the line by Luke Byles.
Dimitri Hatzimouratis had a good opportunity to open the scoring but hit the ball straight into the arms of a grateful Theodoridis.
The two would then be involved in the game’s flashpoint shortly afterwards when the Bergers custodian was sent off for appearing to launch his knee into the chest of the former Sydney Olympic forward.
Theodoridis was given his marching orders for that incident – receiving his second red card of the season - prompting United to hand a league debut to teenager Pasquale Gioffre and make himself an immediate Heidelberg hero by guessing correctly to save Bosnjak’s penalty.
That save seemed to galvanise George Katsakis’ men with makeshift number nine Andreas Govas forcing John Honos into a one handed save. However Bosnjak eventually got his reward nine minutes from time with a brilliant turn and finish into the bottom right hand corner of the goal past Gioffre.
The hosts had Steven Topalovic sent off in the dying stages of the contest for a second yellow card before Kosta Kanakaris’ header struck the post as the Cannons were not to be denied last on this time around collecting a precious three points much to the disappointment of the dejected Warriors.
South Melbourne 0 Pascoe Vale 1 (Youssef 63')
A ten man Pascoe Vale outfit have avenged their 2015 semi-final defeat at the hands of South Melbourne with a sensational 1-0 triumph over the league leaders at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night.
The visitors were forced to work for the three points when goalkeeper Alex Pavlidis was adjudged to have collected a back pass.
The resulting free-kick just outside the six-yard box was tipped onto the post before eventually falling to Nick Epifano who’s goal-bound shot was diverted over the bar by the outstretched arms of Rams defender Tomislav Milardovic. Epifano took the resulting spot-kick but saw his attempt saved by Pavlidis who guessed right.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Vale tested South goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic on two separate occasions as Davey van’t Schip and Matthew Lazarides attempted to give Vitale Ferrante’s men an unlikely lead heading into the half-time break.
That moment did arrive just past the hour mark when former South midfielder Youssef found himself unmarked at the back post to give Paco the lead.
Brad Norton then skyed a good chance to net an equaliser before South Sudan international Peter Deng cleared off the line as the hosts struggled in their search to find a leveller.
Luca Santilli then almost netted a spectacular second when his effort from range was saved by Roganovic.
However despite launching countless attacks in search of an equaliser, South were to be denied by a heroic performance from the visitors who collected their first three points since Round 2 to move out of the relegation spots and into tenth while the hosts were left the rue a disappointing second defeat of the campaign.
PS4 NPL Victoria Women's
By Mark Gojszyk
Calder United 0 Geelong Galaxy United 3 (Spiranovic 22’, 75’, White 78’)
Calder United slumped to an uncharacteristic 3-0 home defeat against Galaxy United.
It looked ominous early for the hosts when Laura Spiranovic scored the first of her brace following a flick on from a corner kick.
Jess Pitts almost equalised via a corner situation as well, when her volley thundered into the bar before being cleared.
That’s as close as they got to scoring, as Laura Spiranovic tapped in a through ball –keeper Beth Mason Jones won the race to the ball before failing to clear the danger.
A neat finish by Kariah White into the bottom corner of the net minutes later blew the score out to 3-0 in the space of a few minutes.
Box Hill United 1 (Pedic 85’) Heidelberg United 0
It was a low-key and at times very scrappy contest at Wembley Park, but Box Hill secured a crucial 1-0 win over a surprisingly lacklustre Heidelberg United to keep in touch with the top half of the ladder.
For Box Hill, there were good spells of possession without the cutting edge until late in the contest via a neat finish from substitute Jasmina Pedic.
Meanwhile, Heidelberg struggled to find a way on the counter, with in-form scorer Leigh Gray well contained by the hosts' defensive line.
There were warning signs in the second half when a cross whipped in was put in the back of the net by Kristina Hall, but a foul was called on Melanie Camilleri in the process when she slid in stretching for the ball and cleaned up keeper Christine Fonua in the process.
Hall did have a significant role to play in the eventual winner, however, but it all started with a pinpoint diagonal ball from Maddie Richardson at the back, with Hall nodding it down for substitute Pedic to deliver a classy lob over Fonua with a first touch effort in the 85th minute.
From there, no matter what Heidelberg tried it was just to no avail, and really it was Hayley Guerts with the best chance to seal the three points when Elaina Vatcky founder her in the box, but her shot was hit straight at Fonua.
It didn't matter in the end as the side held on for a valuable three points and a big confidence boost while thwarting Heidelberg's recent good run.
Bayside United (Robers 13’, Conrad 56’) Southern United 2 (Lines 14’, Eliadis 83’)
Bayside United and Southern United played out an entertaining 2-2 scoreline at Kingston Heath.
The hosts took the lead early when Courtney Conrad’s ball was met by Emma Robers for a volley in the 12th minute.
That was cancelled out just after the restart when Tiffany Eliadis teed up Saphri Lines for her fourth goal of the season with a long-range effort – one of the goals of the season.
Conrad and Robers again combined, albeit with roles reversed, when the midfielder flicked on for the Canadian to finish neatly in the 56th minute.
Southern again clawed back the deficit and netted the late equaliser – the club’s third straight league draw – through Eliadis, who benefited from Brittany Dudley-Smith’s assist on her long-awaited return.
Bulleen Lions (Goad 16’, Privitelli 71’, A. Baker 87’) Alamein FC 1 (Ayres 33’)
Beattie Goad started proceedings in the 16th minute by latching onto a ball into the box from Caitlin Friend, and finishing past Melissa Maizels from a tight angle.
Melina Ayres hit back after half an hour from a set piece by looping a header past Lauren Farrugia after the hosts couldn’t clear their lines, with the ball bouncing around off heads in the box.
With Alamein perhaps looking good value to earn a result, disaster struck in the 72nd minute when Maizels couldn’t deal with a bobbling ball, spilling in the path of Lia Privitelli for a tap in at the back post
Alison Baker then netted the late sealer via another classy assist from Friend, consolidating Bulleen’s lead to six points at the top of the NPLW ladder, albeit having played an extra game.
PS4 NPL 2 East
By Aaron Ciavarella
Brunswick City 0 Box Hill United 1 (Schroen 94’)
Box Hill United earned their second win running this season against a stubborn Brunswick City side on Saturday afternoon at a vibrant Dunstan Reserve.
The affair was relatively evenly poised for the majority of the first half. It was evident that Brunswick had the better of the chances only to force the Box Hill custodian, Keegan Coulter into making several important saves to keep the Spartans at bay.
The Spartans had the better of the opportunities early on with the likes of Adam Wright and Jose Portillo causing havoc in the Box Hill 18 yard box, at times Keegan Coulter had to step in and single handily keep his side in the game.
Box Hill had their fair share of opportunities as well but at times they lacked polish and penetration.
The second half commenced and Brunswick looked to Mike Ndjekompte to add a spark to the game and ultimately search for a winner.
In stoppage time, Alex Schroen slipped a ball past Harry Rowarth in the Brunswick goal to secure Greg Kassidas’ side their second win on the trot.
Dandenong City 7 (Freddi 11’, Freddi 21’, Filipovic 28’, Freddi 35’, Cattermole 44’, Blackburn 79’, Matkovic 81’) Nunawading City 0
Dandenong City continued their push up the PS4 NPL 2 East table after an emphatic 7-0 drubbing against a struggling Nunawading City side.
Dandenong didn’t waste any time on getting the job done when Gonzalo Freddi opened the scoring in the 11th minute. City kept piling the pressure on their opponents when Freddi added another to his tally on the 21st minute.
Shaun Filipovic then headed a third not long after. Freddi then finished off from the spot in the 35th minute to confirm his hat trick.
Ash Cattermole then made it five on the verge of the interval.
Jarryd Blackbourn and Dario Matkovic then finished the demolition job 10 minutes before the conclusion of play.
Murray United 1 (Walker 58’) Springvale White Eagles 5 (Pykett 12’, Stoilovic 15’, Joseph 37’, Pykett 59’, Stoilovic 60’)
Springvale White Eagles continued their sensational form, on this occasion they were convincing winners against Murray United on the border.
Nik Kovacevic’s side were switched on from start to finish when goal scoring machine of late, John Pykett manufactured a beautifully taken free kick to put the visitors up after 12 minutes.
Only three minutes later the White Eagles were 0-2 up when the previous scorer John Pykett crossed a ball in for Damir Stoilovic to finish.
Isaiah Joseph then scored in the 37th minute after a goal mouth scramble from a corner which he tapped in from inside the six-yard box.
After the break, it was really three minutes of mayhem when Zac Walker pulled a goal back for the hosts on 58 minutes to make it 1-3.
Walker’s goal ended up being in vain when in minutes 59 and 60, Springvale certified the three points. The goal sources were once again John Pykett from the penalty spot and Damir Stoilovic chipping the Murray custodian.
Dandenong Thunder 6 (Barnes 17’, Barnes 30’, Barnes 32’, Korcari 57’, Barnes 80’, Bennett 90’) Eastern Lions 0
Dandenong Thunder opened the scoring quarter of an hour into the game when Brandon Barnes slotted a free kick into the bottom corner from 25 yards out. He then doubled his tally by rifling a ball into the top corner from the edge of the box to make it two on the half hour mark.
Only a couple of minutes later, Barnes sealed his hat trick tapping in off a Daniel Bennett cross. After the two sides came back from the sheds, Amir Osmancevic was brought down in the box for Veton Korcari to finish. Brandon Barnes wrapped up his contribution on the night when the captain Brendan Elmazovski slipped through a pass to the prolific striker for him to tuck away. Just prior to the referee blowing for full time, Daniel Bennett scored Dandenong's sixth.
Goulburn Valley Suns 1 (Al Gazaly 90+6’) Kingston City 1 (Karpeh 90+1’)
Kingston City dropped two crucial points in Shepparton on Sunday afternoon in one of the more surprising results in the NPL2 East.
The first half wasn’t exactly easy on the eye as both teams were very cautious which is in some ways unlike these sides normally.
Kingston then eventually opened the scoring through Jerry Karpeh in stoppage time.
Then even deeper into time added on the home side equalised through Fahed Al Gazaly.
PS4 NPL 2 West
By Matthew Conversano
Moreland Zebras FC 0 North Geelong Warriors FC 0
A deadlocked, but by no means dull contest at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday afternoon saw North Geelong Warriors and Moreland Zebras cancel each other out in fiery first against second clash.
Despite chances at both ends, it was the defense that came out on top in a heated battle of promotion contenders.
A tense opening saw both sides arm wrestle for a stronghold on the match, with sights at goal falling at a premium.
The first chance of note would fall to North Geelong, as a long throw from Matt Townley; a tactic which snatched three points away from Brunswick the week prior, found the head of American Kene Eze who saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Zebras goalkeeper Nicholas Kostadinovski maintaining a clean sheet for the home side.
Despite having the majority of possession as well as territorial dominance of the first half, it would take Moreland 43 minutes to test North Geelong ‘keeper Daniel Zilic for the first time, as a cross from Daniel Petrov from the right picked out an unmarked Josh Sabidussi who’s header would’ve crept under the bar if not for a firm palm away from Zilic.
A second half not dissimilar to the first again saw Moreland tip the share of possession in their favor without seriously alerting the North Geelong defence.
It would take a terrific turn and Shot from Josh McMonagle-Ihasz 20 minutes after the restart to trouble the Warriors’ sturdy back 4 as it dribbled beyond, the toe of Sabidussi, the left hand of Zilic, and agonizingly beyond the left upright.
North Geelong looked certain to pinch the three points right at the death as substitute Jason Hidic found himself on the end of a cut back, only to somehow scoop the ball from six yards out into a sufficiently comfortable area for Kostadinovski to palm the ball away.
Melbourne City 3 (Ahmed 35’, Petreski 44’, Sarwari 86’) defeated Moreland City 1 (Paz 57’)
Melbourne City earned the right to stake their claim a PS4 NPL 2 promotion contenders with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Moreland City at La Trobe University on Saturday afternoon.
Moreland City would live to regret two wasted opportunities from South-Sudanese frontman Apai Ukuno in the opening 25 minutes, as they went behind 10 minutes prior to halftime thanks to a Yusuf Ahmed strike.
Ahmed would again be involved in the 44th minute, as he was brought down by Shane Carr in the box that referee Alessandro Arbizzani adjudged to be a penalty, which was duly converted by Phil Petreski.
Despite a Lisandro Paz goal sparking the possibility of salvaging a point for the visitors, a Mehdi Marwari strike in the 86th minute put the result beyond doubt.
Ballarat Red Devils SC 1 (Trigger 37’) Whittlesea Ranges FC 1 (Ofli 45')
The draw earlier in the day in the top of the table clash between Moreland Zebras and North Geelong Warriors meant that the winner of this game would find themselves second, one point behind leaders North Geelong.
Ballarat would make the initial breakthrough via a Michael trigger strike after 37 minutes of play, only to be cancelled out by an Atilla Ofli equaliser just seven minutes later.
Though it was certainly not for the want of trying, the game remained level with neither side able to snatch a decisive goal in the second half.
Werribee City FC 2 (Piovesan 4’, Naumovski 61’) drew with Sunshine George Cross SC2 (Turer15’, Logozzo 75’)
Sunday afternoon sparked into life just four minutes after kick off as Daniel Piovesan fired home a header following a corner to put Werribee into the lead.
Not to be outdone, Ahmet Turer brought the visitors level after a quarter of an hour with a swift turn and shot which flew beyond the reach of Werribee custodian Anthony Saric.
Robert Naumovski would put Werribee ahead again on 61 minutes, pouncing onto a ricochet off Georgies’ full back Liam O’Connell to coolly convert past ‘keeper Senad Ahmetovic in a 1 v 1 duel.
Sunshine would draw level again on the 75th minute mark as Adrian Logozzo latched onto a parry from Saric off a Ryan Dragovic strike; a goal which proved to be decisive as neither side could conjure up a winner.
St Albans Saints SC 6 (Skorich 6’, 43’, 60’, Knight 12’, McGuffie 66’, Devlin 89’) Bendigo City FC 1 (O’Keefe 30’)
St Albans continue their push for promotion contention with a resounding 6-1 win over Bendigo City on Sunday afternoon at Churchill Reserve.
Early goals from Ivan Skorich and Josh Knight as well as a penalty save from custodian Alex Baird put the hosts on the front foot early.
Despite a goal from Bendigo’s Carl O’Keefe which brought the margin back to a goal on 30 minutes, an onslaught which saw strikes from Barry Devlin, Ryan McGuffie and a completed hat trick from Skorich.
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