The nail-biting battle for top spot between South Melbourne and Oakleigh Cannons continues to take twists and turns as both teams dropped points this weekend, leaving “Hellas” ahead with just a single point.
Both teams were left disappointed in the 16th round of the Victorian NPL, with the league leaders suffering an away upset and their rivals being held to a stalemate.
Heidelberg United and Bentleigh played out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon, with the result enough to keep “Alexandros” from climbing past the Greens into sixth.
The yellow-blacks pulled ahead through Joshua Pin (52′) before “Παγκύπριος” took the lead with goals to George Lambaridis (58′) and Mitchell Hore (72′). Kaine Sheppard struck late (86′) to rescue a point for the hosts.
Oakleigh recorded a 0-0 away draw against Dandenong Thunder on Saturday evening to give the Cannons their second consecutive tie, leaving them one point behind “Hellas” in second.
A relieved South Melbourne managed to keep hold of top spot despite a dramatic 2-1 away loss to Melbourne Knights on Friday night.
The Knights struck early through Mohammed Sumaoro (9′) before “Hellas” managed an equaliser through Maximilian Mikkola (86′). In the dying minutes, Gian Albano found the back of the net to take all three points (90+5′).
Port Melbourne Sharks secured an impressive 1-3 away victory over Green Gully, moving into third in the process.
“Nea Hellas” scored first through Chris Duggan (6′) before the hosts brought it level via Nahuel Bonada (13′). Two swift second-half efforts from Luca Tevere (51′) and Jackson Courtney-Perkins (55′) was enough to bag the win.
NPL Victoria Ladder
1-South Melbourne: 37
2-Oakleigh Cannons: 36
3-Port Melbourne Sharks: 31
4-Green Gully: 28
5-Avondale FC: 27
6-Bentleigh Greens: 24
7-Heidelberg United: 23
8-Melbourne Knights: 22
9-Dandenong Thunder: 22
10-Altona Magic: 20
11-St Albans: 20
12-Hume City: 12
13-Dandenong City: 10
14-Eastern Lions: 6
NSW
Sydney Olympic has moved to the top of the ladder on 27 points after a 2-4 away success over Northbridge Bulls in the 14th round on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Ujdur (15′) and Darcy Burgess (33′) earned the Blues’ first two goals, with Lachlan Scott scoring on either side of each goal for the Bulls (19′, 55′). Roy O’Donovan (67′) and Ujdur again (71′) guaranteed the three points.
In Northern NSW, Newcastle Olympic fought hard for a 1-1 home draw against league leaders Broadmeadow Magic in their 13th round fixture on Sunday afternoon, putting them in fifth on 12 points. Damon Green struck early for Magic (2′) but Kent Harrison secured an equaliser (27′).
SA
Adelaide Olympic were forced to settle for an away draw against White City in the 13th Round on Saturday afternoon, keeping them in tenth on 11 points. Michael Cittadini (2′) put the visitors ahead but this was cancelled out by Evan Kounavelis (45+2′).
QLD
Olympic FC earned a dominant 4-1 home win against Gold Coast Knights in a Round 10 catch-up on Saturday night to stay in second on 23 points. Two penalties to Keegan Jelacic (16′, 53′) and a goal from Daniel Leck (59′) put the hosts in front before the Knights offered some resistance through Luke Bechwith (69′). Olympic would have the final say with a final strike from Shannon Brady (76′).
WA
Floreat Athena fell 1-2 at home in their 11th round match against Armadale on Saturday evening to remain in fourth on 20 points. The travellers took the lead through Abdul Osman (23′) and Pieter Jacobsz (68′) with Athena getting one back late via Robert Petkov (89′)
TAS
Olympia Warriors suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Clarence Zebras in their ninth-round encounter on Friday night, keeping them in second-last (7th) on only three points. A first-half effort from Riley Dillon (24′) was enough to give the Zebras the victory.