PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria Round 24

Richmond SC 0 drew with Port Melbourne 0 at Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Port Melbourne and Richmond settled for a scoreless draw on Friday night.

A week after enduring the same scoreline against Bulleen last week, Port Melbourne continue to bore their way to survival in another rollercoaster season for Eric Vassiliadis’ men, while Richmond consolidate 12^th spot either side of Bulleen in survival and Northcote in automatic relegation.

A few chances on goal to the likes of Kris Kioussis, Jake Barker-Daish and Adrian Zahra were exchanged between the sides in the first half to no avail.

The trend continued in the second half, when Alex Caniglia and Bryan Bran couldn’t make opportunities pay, while at the other end Shaun Kelly and Bonel Obradovic also suffered the same fate.

 

Bentleigh Greens 0 drew with Heidelberg United 0 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

At Kingston Heath on Saturday, Bentleigh Greens’ point was welcome relief after losing captain Wayne Wallace to a calf injury before the game, while Troy Ruthven was forced off before half time, surviving a barrage for forays forward from the Bergers.

A few efforts from Reuben Way and Kenny Athiu forced saves from Ryan Scott, who also did well to deny Sean Ellis’ curling free kick in the second period, along with numerous corner kicks that were batted away.

Chris Theodoridis’ night was much quieter, but was bailed out by Les Doumbalis in one instance in the second period via a goalline clearance from a corner.

 

Hume City 2 (Carley 14’, Cahill 55’) defeated Northcote City 1 (Crowley 56’) at ABD Stadium

Northcote City hover dangerously near the automatic drop zone after failing to overcome a nine-man Hume City at ABD Stadium, losing 2-1.

The deadlock was broken at ABD Stadium when Craig Carley’s effort landed in the back of the net, after initially beating his man.

The game turned on its head when Chris Oldfield was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball altercation in the 50th minute, with the potential repercussions for that incident in terms of suspensions potentially forcing a nervous wait for Hume and its star custodian – Braedyn Crowley received a yellow card for his role in the incident.

But despite being a man down, the lead was doubled when Tom Cahill went on a mazy run and finished at the near the post with aplomb.

Prolific striker Braedyn Crowley then added another goal to his season tally to get back Northcote in the game at 2-1 moments later.

Matters got worse for Hume when Daniel Clark was sent off for a rash challenge on Cody Martindale in the 88th minute, but the home side were able to hold on and deny Northcote any vital points in their bid for survival.

 

Avondale FC 3 (Germano 5’ 30’ [p], Crazia 45’) defeated Bulleen Lions 2 (Nour 62’, Nishimoto 82’) at Knights Stadium

At Somers Street, Avondale FC continued their late-season form with a 3-2 win over Bulleen in a real tale of two halves.

It was the Jonatan Germano show early, chipping in a goal in just the fifth minute of the contest, before also converting a penalty for a handball to give the hosts a 2-0 lead after just half an hour.

Michele Crazia also added another goal to his tally in recent weeks before the break to make it 3-0 as both teams headed into the rooms.

The tide turned in the second half when Sami Nour showed his usual goalscoring threat to peg one back for his side, which jolted his side into action.

Taka Nishimoto then scored another for Bulleen in the 82nd minute to ensure the latter stages of the contest were nervous for Avondale, but the scores finished 3-2 to the hosts and ensure Bulleen still have a nervy battle to avoid relegation.

 

Melbourne Victory 0 defeated by Pascoe Vale 6 (Gasparis 10’ 36’ [p],  van ‘t Schip 15’ 38’, Santili 78’, Youssef 91’) at Epping Stadium

A hapless Melbourne Victory were trounced 6-0 by Pascoe Vale, who kept their finals hopes alive in the process.

Marino Gasparis and Davey van ‘t Schip exchanged goals – two each – to propel Paco to a 4-0 lead by the break.

Luca Santilli then added an acrobatic goal of his own later in the second half, before Joseph Youssef added the sixth in extra time to seal the tennis-like scoreline.

With Pascoe Vale now on 34 points, just four behind Green Gully who have a game in hand when they play Oakleigh Cannons tomorrow, finals football is not yet out of the equation for the late-season bloomers.

 

South Melbourne 2 (Lujic 42’, Millar 84’) defeated Melbourne Knights 1 (McGarry 63’) at Lakeside Stadium

At Lakeside, South Melbourne denied Bentleigh the premiership for at least another week.

The deadlock was broken just before the break when Brad Norton’s cutback found Milos Lujic to finish home and edge close to yet another Golden Boot.

Damien Miskulin was sent off in the second half after two yellows to make the task more difficult for his side.

That didn’t deter the Knights, who were the second club in the weekend to score after going down to 10 men (Hume City did the same), when James McGarry’s free kick went under the wall and beat Nikola Roganovic in goals.

However, a header to Matt Millar restored the lead late and ensured Bentleigh have to wait a bit longer before their premier status is confirmed.

In an interesting parralel to their contest at Knights Stadium earlier this year that ended 5-2, all of Lujic, Millar and McGarry scored, while Miskulin also received his marching orders then.

 

Oakleigh Cannons 0 defeated by Green Gully 1 (Boland 36’) at Jack Edwards Reserve

Green Gully all but sealed their finals participation with a crucial away win to the in-form Oakleigh Cannons on Monday night in a happy homecoming for current Gully and former Oakleigh coach Arthur Papas.

Oakleigh would be ruing missed chances early when Dimi Hatzimouratis and Dusan Bosnjak had early chances that missed and were saved respectively.

It allowed FFA Cup hero Liam Boland to strike, his header giving the visitors the lead in the 36^th minute.

The scoreline would stay that way but it wasn’t for a lack of goalscoring chances, with a George Lambadaridis shot saved, Hatziouratis denied again, and Goran Zoric also had a late effort parried away.

PS4 NPL Victoria Women's Round 20

Calder United 4 (Papadopoulos 5' Au 15' Meyer 20' Lay 65') FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Iaconis 80')

Needing a win to secure the league title, Calder left nothing to chance and raced to a 3-0 lead by the 20 minute mark.

A bouncing cross from Stacey Papadopoulos looped over Bulleen goalkeeper Mia Mossman to settle the home side's nerves, with a pinpoint strike from Jess Au on 15 minutes and near-post header at a corner from Kasha Mayer securing an unassailable lead.

Cindy Lay had a string of chances and finally broke through for a goal on 65 minutes, with Bulleen pegging back one consolation through Liana Iaconis at a corner scramble 10 minutes from time.

Box Hill United 2 (Hall 15' Camilleri 51') Bayside United 0

Box Hill's strong end to the season continued a the expense of Bayside United, who remain at risk of finishing in last place on the table.

Goals to Kristina Hall and Mel Camilleri either side of half time secured an arms-length victory for the home team at Wembley Park.

Geelong Galaxy United 1 (Al-Huneidi 10') Southern United 2 (Lines 37' 56')

Southern United overturned a one-goal deficit to defeat Geelong Galaxy and keep hopes of avoiding the inaugural wooden spoon alive.

Lulu Al-Huneidi had given Geelong an early lead, but Southern's midfield maestro Saphri Lines struck either side of half time to complete the comeback win.

Heidelberg United 1 (Gray) Alamein FC 3 (Keane 29' Ayres 65' 79')

Alamein moved into second place at Bulleen's expense with a second-half surge against Heidelberg United.

Leigh Gray had put Heidelberg into the lead on the synthetic at the State Football Centre, but Hannah Keane would ensure Alamein got to the break with scores level.

Barely 24 hours back in the country from international duty with the Young Matildas, Melina Ayres then came off the bench to net a second-half double and win the match for Alamein.

PS4 NPL Victoria NPL 2 Cross-Over Round 24

By Matthew Conversano

Moreland ZebrasFC0 defeated by Eastern Lions SC 1 (Ajao 6’)

Moreland did their promotion chances no favors as they succumbed to an underwhelming loss to third bottom Eastern Lions on Friday night.

 

Phillip Ajao would put the visitors ahead early in the match, latching onto a Christopher Droustas cross and manufactured enough space in the box to fire into the bottom right corner beyond the outstretched arm of Zebras custodian Nikola Kostadinovski.

 

Despite maintaining territorial dominance for large portions of the game, Moreland failed to convert it into a goal as the visitors held on for the win.

 

Moreland City SC 2 (Kose 37, Ukuno 71’) defeated Dandenong CitySC 1 (Osmancevic 9’)

 

Any hopes of catching PS4 NPL2 East runaways Dandenong Thunder and Kingston City were dashed on Saturday afternoon as Dandenong city fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of mid-table Moreland City.

 

The visitors would open the scoring after a long ball caught out a high Moreland back four, leaving Asmir Osmancevic to round the keeper and finish into an unguarded net.

 

The host were handed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 24th minute following a handball in the box, only for Casey Thomas’ subsequent penalty to be saved by a firm palm from Damir Salcin.

 

The equalizer would eventually come in the closing stages of the first half as Trent Rixon found an unmarked Osman Kose at the back post who duly headed home.

 

Moreland would seal the winner 20 minutes from time after a spearing through ball from Anthony Ianchello put Apai Ukuno in on goal who coolly slotted the ball to the keeper’s right.

 

 

Sunshine George Cross SC 2 (Gonzalez 17’, Arredondo 54’) defeated byKingston City FC 3 (Iaconis 6’, 37’, Koukal 45+1’)

 

Kingston City took all three points away from Chaplin Reserve on Saturday afternoon, securing a promotion playoff spot, despite a late scare from a resurgent Sunshine George Cross.

 

The away side struck first in the sixth minute of play as Simo Jovanovic found an unmarked Damian Iaconis at the back post who tapped into an unguarded net.

 

Not to be deterred, George Cross pulled one back eleven minutes later as some terrific interplay between mid-season signings Yusei Kitade and Nicolas Gonzalez would be capped off with a terrific volley from the latter.

 

City would flex the muscles in the final ten minutes of the first half as a second from Iaconis and a stunning volley from Koukal would stretch the margin out to two goals at half time.

 

Despite a gallant effort from the home side in the second half, including a long range strike from Hernan Arredondo, the visitors would hold firm for a the victory.

 

Whittlesea Ranges FC2 (Ofli28’, Yabio53’) drew withBrunswick City SC 2 (Le Page 23’ 84’)

 

Brunswick City backed up their underdog win against PS4 NPL2 East table-toppers Dandenong Thunder last week, with another impressive result against that of PS4 NPL2 West, Whittlesea Ranges.

 

Andrew Le Page converted his second long range strike in as many weeks as he sent a dipping free kick flying into the top right corner.

 

Attila Ofli would respond just five minutes later with a wonder strike from within the centre circle which caught Wes Coles off his line to equalise for the home side.

 

Despite the confidence gained from his earlier strike, Ofli failed to convert a penalty ten minutes before half time as he fired his strike over the bar.

 

Tedros Yabio would put the hosts ahead on 53 minutes following a corner, only for Brunswick to peg one back, and ultimately salvage a point thanks to via yet another successful free kick from Le Page.

 

Murray United FC 1 (Walker 45+1’) defeated byBallarat Red DevilsSC 2 (Trigger 21’, Karras 48’)

 

North Geelong will be ruing it’s missed opportunity to gain some ground in the promotion chase as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Galvin Park.

 

The visitors would strike the first blow via a swift turn and shot from Michael Trigger which flew into the top corner after 21 minutes.

 

Murray would equalise in first half stoppage time after a miscommunication between Red’s defender Daniel Tinker and ‘keeper Aaron Romein allowed Zac Walker to roll the ball into an empty net.

 

It would be Peter Karras’ goal in the opening stages of the second half that would prove decisive, latching onto a Dejan Mitrovic cross to score from close range.

 

Springvale White Eagles FC 1 (Pykett 13’) defeated byNorth Geelong Warriors FC 3 (Anderson 7’, 59’, Eze 46’)

 

North Geelongsit just a sole point behind PS4 NPL2 West league leaders St Albans after a consummate 3-1 victory over Springvale on Saturday afternoon.

 

An early goal from Michael Anderson set the tone for the match early on, sparking a reply from John Pykett six minutes later.

 

Warriors would prove too strong after the break however, with goals from American frontman Kene Eze and another from Anderson securing a comfortable win.

 

 

Dandenong Thunder SC7 (Barnes 8’, 27’, 35’, 43’, 69’, Bennett 61’, Catherine 77’) defeated Bendigo City FC0

 

Dandenong Thunder put on  clinic at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday afternoon, with talisman Brandon Barnes putting five goals past a lacklustre Bendigo City side, bringing his total to a remarkable 39 goals in 21 games.

 

Four first half goals saw the game over as a contest at the termination of the first half, with Barnes adding a fifth from the penalty spot in the 69th minute of play. Scoresheet contributions from Sam Catherine and Daniel Bennett completed the rout.

 

The win sees Thunder equal on 59 points with Kingston City with four games to play.

 

 

St Albans Saints SC 2 (Barresi 30’, Covarrubias 56’) defeated Goulburn Valley SunsSC 1 (Gaillard 29’)

 

St Albans move a point clear at the summit of the PS4 NPL2 West as they secured a come-from-behind win against Goulburn Valley Suns.

 

A first half goal from Suns’ Anthony Gaillard was countered just a minute later after a powerful strike from Saints’ youngster Adrian Barresi found the back of the net to keep the game deadlocked at half time.

 

Rodrigo Covarrubias’ would provide a fitting winner ten minutes after the restart as took the ball down and with a swivel and shot lobbed Suns’ custodian Monty Al-Gazaly who was left clutching at air as the ball floated into the net, allowing the hosts to hold on a secure a narrow win.

 

 

Nunawading City FC 2 (Gathercole 9’, Likassa 42’) defeated by Werribee CitySC 4 (Aleksic 41’, Weaver 46’, 57, Marafioti 87’)

 

Werribee backed up an impressive winoverMoreland City last week with a comfortable 4-2 win over NPL2 East’s last placed Nunawading City.

 

An enthralling first half saw an early goal to Nunawading’s Dan Gathercole being cancelled out by a Djordje Aleksic strike in the 41st minute, only for Firaol Likassa to restore the advantage three minutes prior to the first half’s end.

 

Despite a commendable fight, Werribee would add 3 second half goals via a brace to Shaun Weaver and a late goal from Anthony Marafioti to condemn Nunawading to their 23rd loss of the season.

 

Melbourne City 2 (Zinni 31’, Marafioti 85’) defeated Box Hill United SC 1 (Simos 88’)

 

Melbourne City maintain their promotion contender status after a solid 2-1 away win over Box Hill United on Sunday.a

 

A strike from Stefan Zinni would put the visitors in the ascendency after the half hour mark, coupled with a late goal from Giuseppe Marafioti to double the advantage five minutes from full time.

 

A late goal via a free kick from Thomas Simos would prove little more than mere consolation as Box Hill couldn’t manage to muster up an equaliser, propelling City well into the PS4 NPL2 West title battle.