South Melbourne pulled off a stunning 0-1 away win against the Cannons, while Alexandros and Nea Hellas played out an entertaining draw. Pancyprios celebrated their first win of the season in style!
Hellas emerged victorious in the big derby of the matchday, stealing the three points from the home of the “Cannons”. This marked the first defeat of the season for the Oakleigh side, who appeared to be feeling the effects of their midweek Australian Cup clash with Preston Lions.
The match was decided in the centre of the field, with both coaches emphasising defensive tasks and trying to find goals with long balls and crosses from the sides. It seemed the game was destined for a draw, with tight defences and ineffective offensive lines.
However, Joshua Wallen had other plans. Ali Sulemani took a corner from the right in the 53rd minute, and Wallen powerfully headed past Lewis Italiano, giving Hellas the lead. The Cannons tried to react, but apart from a big chance from Hampson in the 90th minute, they failed to threaten the players of Esteban Quintas, who looked ecstatic after the game. The atmosphere at Jack Edwards Reserve was electric, with Giorgos Katsakis of Heidelberg United taking advantage of the opportunity to “spy” on two of the best teams in the division.
The tension was palpable at Heidelberg West on Friday night, as Alexandros welcomed Nea Hellas. The visitors had a 0-2 lead at the end of the first half, and looked set to take the victory. But then, in the dying minutes of the match, Shigeto Masuda, the Japanese centre back for the “yellow and black”, stepped up. He reduced the lead to 1-2 in the 90th minute, and then, in the 96th minute, scored a stunning header that left the visitors’ keeper, Andrew Withers, no chance. It was a thrilling match that had the fans at United’s stadium on the edge of their seats.
Friday night saw an incredible revival for Cheltenham’s “Pancyprios”, who has been struggling since the start of the season. With the change of coach and the hiring of Riccardo Marchioli, the team seemed to have been brought back from the brink.
The home team started the match with an advantage, dominating the first half, but their composure seemed to waver when they had a chance to score. The visitors, however, kept a clean sheet in the first half and started the second half with better prospects.
Joseph Monek opened the scoring for the “Saints” in the 49th minute, but the “Greens” refused to surrender and Scott Hilliar’s header in the 51st minute levelled the score. Mario Barcia then turned the game on its head with a perfect execution in the 55th minute, and Luka Ninkovic and Mitchell Rooke sealed the 4-1 victory in the 79th and 85th minutes respectively. This victory has brought a much-needed sigh of relief and a touch of optimism to the otherwise dark and unsettled season the Cypriot team has been going through.
Avondale’s remarkable victory against Melbourne Knights was the highlight of the program, keeping them at the top of the leaderboard. But that wasn’t the only impressive result.
Green Gully’s 0-7 victory against North Geelong was also remarkable, as was Hume City’s 2-5 away win against Moreland.
It was a great home victory for Herakles against Eastern Lions in the NPL2, with the Greek team bringing the match to a thrilling 4-1 finish.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Pythagoras, who suffered their third defeat in as many games in the NPL3. The Box Hill team travelled to Nunawading, only to be defeated 3-1 by the local team. In the State League 1 derby between Malvern City and Aris, however, neither team could break the deadlock, and the match ended 0-0, with both teams sharing the points.
NPL RESULTS
Bentleigh Greens – St. Albans 4 – 1 (52′ S. Hilliar, 56′ M. Barcia, 80′ L. Ninkovic, 86′ M. Rooke – 50′ J. Monek)
Heidelberg United – Port Melbourne Sharks 2 – 2 (90′ S. Masuda, 90+6′ S. Masuda – 32′ J. Regague, 45′ C. Duggan)
Hume City – Moreland City 2 – 5 (38′ B. Elibol, 77′ J. Hooper [Π] – 41′ D. McGlade, 68′ J. Rezai, 72′ B. Lauton, 75′ J. Bingham, 90+2′ J. Rezai)
North Geelong Warriors – Green Gully 0 – 7 (2′ A. Gerez, 38′ T. Vecchio, 39′ J. Hope, 78′ A. Koudakpo, 84′ P. Waring, 85′ P. Waring, 88′ J. Hope)
Avondale – Melbourne Knights 3 – 0 (28′ L. Boland, 75′ L. Boland, 85′ M. Aguek)
Altona Magic – Dandenong Thunder 3 – 2 (31′ T. Semmy, 49′ C. Leech, 52′ J. Markovski – 22′ G. Damen, 74′ K. Dover)
Oakleigh Cannons – South Melbourne 0 – 1 (53′ J .Wallen)
NPL – Ladder
1. Avondale 7 19
2. South Melbourne 7 18
3. Oakleigh Cannons 7 14
4. Green Gully 7 12
5. Melbourne Knights 7 11
6. Hume City 7 9
7. Port Melbourne 7 9
8. Heidelberg United 7 8
9. Altona Magic 7 8
10. Moreland City 7 8
11. Dandenong Thunder 7 7
12. St Albans Saints 7 7
13. Bentleigh Greens 7 3
14. North Geelong 7 3
NPL2 RESULTS
Brunswick Juventus – Pascoe Vale 0 – 1
Northcote City – Eastern Lions 4 – 1
Werribee City – Bulleen Lions 2 – 1
Langwarrin – Preston Lions 1 – 2
Manningham United – Western United (Y) 2 – 4
Melbourne City (Y) – Dandenong City 1 – 3
Kingston City – Brunswick City 1 – 0
NPL2 – Ladder
1. Pascoe Vale 7 15
2. Western United (Y) 7 15
3. Kingston City 7 15
4. Preston Lions 7 14
5. Langwarrin 7 13
6. Northcote City 6 9
7. Eastern Lions 7 9
8. Manningham 7 8
9. Werribee 7 8
10. Dandenong 7 8
11. Brunswick Juventus 7 7
12. Brunswick City 7 7
13. Bulleen 7 6
14. Melbourne City (Y) 6 4
NPL3 RESULTS
North Sunshine Eagles – Caroline Springs George Cross 2 – 3
Nunawading – Box Hill United 3 – 1
Goulburn Valley Suns – Doveton 3 – 2
Geelong – Essendon Royals 2 – 2
Beaumaris – Boroondara Eagles 2 – 0
Melbourne Victory (Y) – Ballarat City 8 – 0
NPL3 – Ladder
1. Nunawading 3 9
2. Melbourne Victory (Y) 3 9
3. Geelong 3 7
4. Goulburn Suns 3 6
5. North Sunshine 3 6
6. Caroline Springs 3 6
7. Beaumaris 3 6
8. Boroondara 3 3
9. Essendon 3 1
10. Ballarat 3 0
11. Box Hill 3 0
12. Doveton 3 0
