Nothing spells a great game than two rival clubs battling it out. This week in a Greek derby, Oakeligh Cannons take on South Melbourne in what will be a bit of a push to secure high goal numbers.
Both teams are languishing in the latter part of the ladder, and are desperate to get into the top six. The winner will find itself roaring into finals contention, while it could be season over for the loser.
South Melbourne’s luck changed last week, amassing a whopping 6-1 win against Hume City.
South Melbourne has become a goalscoring machine at home, scoring 12 goals in its past two matches at Lakeside Stadium.
The situation in away matches is a lot different though, where it has not won on the road since Round 3 against Bentleigh.
Just when the Cannons were set for a comeback after a miraculous 4-1 win in round 16, they lost their momentum last week, falling 3-1 to Dandenong Thunder.
Oakleigh Cannons general manager, Aki Ionnas says the match will be a showstopper, almost like a grand final.
“Considering it’s coming close to the end of the season, both teams are fighting to survive, so its going to be a mini grand final,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
“Obviously it’ll be a tough game, South Melbourne have got a good team on the path and we’ll see an attacking style of football on Sunday.”
Sunday also sees Northcote City up against Southern Stars, in a first versus last match. After looking invincible at the halfway mark of the season, Northcote City has been unable to produce any consistent form in the second half of the season. Southern Stars likely take that into their game, but tips are Northcote City will secure an easy win.
Bentleigh Greens take on Melbourne Knights also on Sunday in a titillating third versus second. Both stand four points apart from sixth-placed Port Melbourne, meaning a loss prove very costly.
Star Bentleigh striker Luke Sherbon took home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick against Pascoe Vale last week, but an excellent 90-minute display from his teammates meant he didn’t receive all the limelight. They left the game 4-1.
While the Greens seem primed for this one, the Knights are coming off a rusty performance against the Stars.
If they are to beat Bentleigh and square the ledger between these two powerhouses, they’ll have to improve their passing, which has been a bit shabby in the past fortnight.
For round 18, Pascoe Vale open up proceedings, going up against Dandenong thunder tonight.
Greek sponsored Port Melbourne Sharks are up against Green Gully Cavaliers tonight too. The Sharks were coming into the game with a solid 3-0 win against Richmond last week. Green Gully also had similar luck, securing a 3-1 win.
Fixtures:
Pascoe Vale v Dandenong Thunder
Fri 16 Aug 8:30 PM, Hosken Reserve
Port Melbourne Sharks v Green Gully Cavaliers
Fri 16 Aug 8:30 PM, JL Murphy Reserve – SS Anderson Oval – Pitch 1
Hume City v Richmond
Sun 18 Aug 3:00 PM, Broadmeadows Valley Park – Pitch 2
Northcote City v Southern Stars
Sun 18 Aug 3:00 PM, John Cain Memorial Park – Pitch 1
Melbourne Knights v Bentleigh Greens
Sun 18 Aug 3:00 PM, Knights Stadium – Pitch 1
Oakleigh Cannons v South Melbourne
Sun 18 Aug 3:15 PM, Jack Edwards Reserve
