With Northcote City fortifying its position on top of the ladder with another victory, round ten of Victorian Premier League has seen the lower half of the ladder showcase some improvement, as Oakleigh Cannons, Dandenong Thunder and Richmond record victories against teams higher than them on the ladder.

Oakleigh Cannons took three points from their hosts in Pascoe Vale last weekend, securing an amazing 4-0 victory thanks to the hat trick of Reece Vittiglia. It’s the first victory for the Cannons under Miron Bleiberg. This Sunday’s task, however, won’t be the easiest one, as the Cannons host fifth on the ladder Melbourne Knights on Sunday. In round ten, Melbourne Knights were defeated by Hume City (0-1), in a match that shot Hume City to second place on the ladder, taking over the Bentleigh Greens.

Bentleigh Greens’ match with Green Gully in round ten didn’t have the expected ending for John Anastasiadis’ boys. The Green derby has seen the Cavaliers – who are seven positions below now third placed Bentleigh – two goals ahead of Bentleigh before they shared the points at the end of the game (2-2).

Tonight, Bentleigh Greens hosted the bottom of the table Southern Stars, while Cavaliers travel to Dandenong tomorrow. In the bottom of the ladder battle last Saturday, Richmond scored a 4-0 victory over Southern Stars, winning the first points in 2013 season. Last night, Richmond played a home game to Pascoe Vale.

Apart from Oakleigh Cannons, three other Greek-sponsored club will play their Victorian Premier League round 11 matches this Sunday.

The Hercules boys from Northcote City, who with their continuous victories leave nothing to report on, will have an interesting encounter when they meet with their new ‘neighbours’ on the table, the second placed Hume City. The round ten match with South Melbourne helped Lozanovski boys to stretch their lead (3-0) and strengthen the top of the ladder position, being seven points ahead of the second on the ladder.

In a derby that is likely to attract many Greek supporters, South Melbourne will try to finally carve out the victory when they host Port Melbourne Sharks on Sunday, after going for six matches with only one win.

Port Melbourne Sharks lost the three points when they were overpowered by Dandenong Thunder at their ground (0-2), last Friday.
A Greek derby will be a hard task for VPL new comers, the Sharks – however, South Melbourne is only two points ahead of them at the moment.

For the Sharks’ head coach Eric Vassiliadis, his squad’s achievements after joining Victorian Premier League this season are great, but still “a few points short” where they want to be.

“I wouldn’t say that we have overachieved. I am very comfortable and happy with how the boys are approaching the competition, but we still think we are a few points short where we wanted to be,” Vassiliadis told Neos Kosmos.

“We’re also dealing with some uncertainties and challenges outside the club – like the changes in the National Premier League, directions the clubs are taking in terms of how they manage their priorities leading into what seems to be an uncertain period for next year… But it’s not different to problems that other clubs are dealing with.”

With the South Melbourne side announcing the release of five players ahead of the mid-season transfer window, Vassiliadis says his team will expect a ‘real response’ from Peter Tsolakis’ squad.

“Going to the Lakeside is always a challenge, no matter what year and which team do you go with. Given that South Melbourne has had what seems to be a pretty tumultuous week at their football club, I am looking for a real response from them – and we will have to try and match that intense and that response. From our perspective, we should be going into the game with the full strength team, looking to express ourselves, and put our best look forward. And, definitely, come away from that game with something,” Vassiliadis said.

“Over the journey, the teams have shared support of the Greek community. I suspect all our supporters are eagerly anticipating a pretty good game, and hopefully a lot of Greek supporters come there as well.”

VPL Round 11 Fixtures:

Bentleigh Greens v Southern Stars, tonight, 8:15 pm at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Richmond v Pascoe Vale, tonight, 8:30pm at Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Dandenong Thunder v Green Gully, Saturday 29 June at 7.00 pm, George Andrews Reserve
Hume City v Northcote City, Sunday 30 June at 3.00 pm, Broadmeadows Valley Park
South Melbourne v Port Melbourne Sharks, Sunday 30 June at 3.00 pm, Lakeside Stadium
Oakleigh Cannons v Melbourne Knights, Sunday 30 June 6.30 pm, Jack Edwards Reserve