By SEAN ELLICOTT (@SeanEllicott)

Photo BRUNO SILVERII / IL GLOBO

Bentleigh Greens SC has maintained top spot on the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria table after a 3-1 victory over Werribee City at Galvin Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan De Vries netted twice either side of the interval with Jamie De Abreu adding a third for the Greens before Robert Naumoski pulled one back from the spot for the hosts.

Despite the full time score line, Werribee started the contest on the front foot.

Greens custodian Alastair Bray was forced into a sharp double save inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour while Bees forwards Evan Batsis was proving to be a handful in the final third.

Nino Ragusa’s men were desperate to seize upon any delivery inside the penalty area while at the other end Chris Lucas and Tyson Holmes looked to test out Bees keeper Frano Saric’s from range.

The breakthrough came in the 30th minute via New Zealand forward Ryan De Vries.

Daniel Visevic’s corner was met by the head of Tyson Holmes, who could only direct his attempt into the upright before De Vries nodded in his first goal since returning to the club on the rebound.

The New Zealand international soon made it 2-0 with his second minutes after the break.

De Abreu provided the resulting cut-back following a swift attack, as the 23-year-old comfortably tucked his effort into the bottom corner.

Less than ten minutes later and De Abreu added John Anastasiadis’ side’s third of the afternoon.

Tyson Holmes released Liam McCormick down the right flank, as the midfielder squared to De Abreu, slotting the ball via Saric into the back-of-the-net.

Werribee however struck back following the hour mark from 12 yards.

After mishandling a low strike, Alastair Bray was adjudicated to have fouled Werribee’s Dean Tomeski in his attempts to make amends for his error, as the referee pointed to the spot despite a late whistle.

Naumoski assumed the responsibilities, converting his pin-point penalty via Bray’s outstretched hand into the side netting. 

With Werribee’s famous final flurry and stoppage time looming, Anastasiadis urged his charges to maintain their discipline and momentum in the latter stages of the contest.

Notwithstanding a gallant display, Bentleigh held onto its two-goal ascendancy, closing the match out as 3-1 victors.

Next week the Greens host Heidelberg United in Round 17’s top-of-the-table clash while Werribee City take on third placed South Melbourne.

Match details:

Werribee City 1 (Naumoski 69') defeated by Bentleigh Greens 3 (De Vries 31' 49', De Abreu 58') HT [0-1].

Werribee City XI: 1. Frano Saric (GK), 4. Simon Colosimo, 23. Steven Cudrig, 19. Robert Naumoski, 13. Milan Savic, 5. Dean Tomeski, 11. Bobby Vidanovski, 3. Ryan Filipovic, 8. Kobbie Boahene, 6. Anthony Ragusa, 9. Evan Batsis.

Substitutes: 16. Angus Martin, 25. David Thompson, 2. Michael Sims, 12. Rob Kilmartin, 17. Deang Aquek.

Bentleigh Greens XI: 21. Alastair Bray (GK), 11. Dion Kirk, 5. Jack Webster, 4. Troy Ruthven, 17. Ryan Love, 10. Tyson Holmes, 6. Liam McCormick, 19. Daniel Visevic, 7. Jamie De Abreu, 9. Chris Lucas, 23. Ryan De Vries.

Substitutes: 1. Ryan Scott, 8. Wayne Wallace, 16. Luke O'Dea, 22, Austin Wong, 42. Daniel Eksiyan.