Victorian NPL teams have really started upping the ante after returning for round two of the 2021 season.

South Melbourne’s positive start from last week could not entirely carry them through the match against the Eastern Lion visitors. Despite the first half starting off on the sluggish side, Ioannis Georgopoulos was able to give the Lions the lead 27 minutes in.

The game reached a draw in the 47th minute thanks to South Melbourne’s Harrison Sawyer.

The match at Lakeside was attended by Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou, along with CEO James Johnson and Federation staff. Speeches preceded in the President’s Room with a focus on the proposed Second National Division.

The second ‘Greek derby’ ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jack Edwards Reserve between the Oakleigh Cannons and Alexander’s Heidelberg United. Matt Thurtell scored with a close shot for the Cannons in the 41st minute, but Jackson Lino was not going to let the rival team get away with the win, equalising the score in the 56th.

READ MORE: Q&A with Argentinian trained Port Melbourne Shark Kris Kioussis

Adam Piddick’s Sharks we able to snag the win from hosts Bentleigh Greens thanks to an extra time goal by John Kuol bringing the final score to 2-3. The Pancyprians had the lead twice in the game with goals made by Jacob Alexander in the 45th and Damian Iaconis in the 75th, however Port Melbourne came to bite back each time.

Chris Duggan and Jackson Courteney Perkins brought the Sharks up to speed with goals scored in the 47th and 83rd minutes respectively.

The Melbourne Knights’ 2-1 victory also stood out with Alun Webb scoring both goals against Dandenong Thunder. The Croatian team had found its way to the top of the standings with six points. Joshua Meaker scored the only goal for Thunder three minutes before full time.

Altona Magic was not looking great in the match against visitors Avondale FC, conceding two goals in the first half, but two justified dismissals forced the visitors to play the last 30 minutes with nine players.

With the numerical advantage under its belt, John Markovski’s front managed to equalise the match at 2-2 in the last 10 minutes.

READ MORE: NPL’s South Melbourne Hellas wins first Greek derby

You can catch the next games on the following days:

Friday 12 March
19:45 Port Melb – East Lions
20:30 Oakleigh – South Melb
20:30 Thunder – Bentleigh

Saturday 13 March
15:15 Avondale – Green Gully
18:30 Altona – Heidelberg
20:00 Hume – Dand City

Sunday 14 March
17:00 St Albans – Knights