It might have only been a draw, but South Melbourne’s failure to get its usual three points has given Oakleigh Cannons a sigh of relief.

They have been able to knock two points off their gap with South Melbourne after they got back on their feet with a 2-1 win against Bentleigh Greens.
Oakleigh coach Miron Bleiberg was unimpressed with his side’s win, after pitch conditions on the day soured both teams’ play.

“It was what you call an ugly win. I didn’t enjoy the game, I didn’t enjoy the win, I enjoyed the three points,” Bleiberg said.

The Cannons are the closest hope of dethroning the almost faultless South Melbourne, who have set up shop at the top of the NPLV ladder since the start of the season.

South Melbourne fell at the hands of Northcote City, after a series of errors “gifted” the team a goal.

“It was just a series of errors… and as a result we kind of gifted them a goal so that’s the most disappointing aspect as I felt it was the type of game were one goal would maybe be enough but it just wasn’t to be,” South Melbourne coach Chris Taylor said.

Northcote City plays another blockbuster Greek derby this Sunday, this time against Oakleigh Cannons.

Northcote will be taking the unexpected draw with them in this match, and being unbeaten in seven matches, Goran Lozanovski’s side has pretty great odds.

Up until Hume City defeated Oakleigh in Round 18, Northcote City was the only side to keep Oakleigh Cannons at bay with a 1-1 draw in round nine.

They played a mid week match against Dandenong Thunder, where they mirrored the 1-1 score.

Finishing has been a bit of an issue for Lozanovski’s side, and to keep their title, the team must address defence issues.

Third on the ladder, Heidelberg United have played two games in five days, but its nothing compared to what their opponents this week will be facing.

Melbourne Knights are leg weary, coming back from a loss in Brisbane for the FFA Cup, and a trip to Shepparton last weekend.

Heidelberg managed a solid 2-0 win against Hume City on the weekend, while their mid-week match against Green Gully saw them held to a 1-1 draw.

Sadly their title race is over, with 14 points separating them from South Melbourne.