This week, the unpredictable NPL continues with some intense matches all over Melbourne. South Melbourne and Port Melbourne will face off in the local derby, which is the highlight of the 10th matchday. Last Saturday, Hellas secured a 1-0 victory in the derby against Bentleigh Greens, while the Sharks lost 3-2 away to last year’s champions, Cannons.
This week, Heidelberg United is looking to press the restart button. The Black and Yellows view the match against Geelong Warriors as a great chance to get back on track and improve their position in the standings. Coach Katsaki’s team is hoping to put the disastrous defeat against Avondale (8-2) behind them, which seemed to plunge the entire club into introversion and negativity, from the management to the loyal fans of the team.
Chris Taylor and the Cannons will be looking to keep up with Avondale and South Melbourne as they host Altona Magic this Friday (21/04). The home side is continuing their positive streak towards another successful season, having just beaten Port Melbourne last Monday (17/04). Taylor must be pleased to see his absentee list shrinking and his options increasing as his squad grows stronger week by week.
This week, Bentleigh Greens will travel to the north of the city to take on Hume City. The Greens have made strides to improve their competitive image, but they still have a long way to go if they want to avoid the bottom of the standings. Desperately needing points to keep them close to the teams above them in the table, the mission of the “Cypriots” will not be easy as Hume is on the rise, which was demonstrated by their away victory last week at Green Gully.
This weekend, Northcote City travels northwest to face the tough Preston Lions in a nerve-wracking match for NPL2. The “Greeks” see this match as an opportunity to prove their greatness this year. Meanwhile, Kingston will face Dandenong City on Friday (21/04) , determined to win and stay close to the leader Preston Lions. Eastern Lions will be hosted by Brunswick City, with the hosts desperately hoping for a three-pointer to take a breather in the standings and move away from the bottom layers of the table.
This weekend, Box Hill United have the opportunity to put their dismal start to the season behind them when they welcome the Goulburn Valley Suns for the NPL3 Championship. The “Greek” team is determined to take the three points so they can look to the future with more optimism.
This Saturday afternoon, Yarraville will take on Altona City in the North-West Group of the State League, aiming to reach the top. Aris will also face a difficult mission in the Southeast Group of the Championship, traveling to Warragul to take on Gippsland United with the aim of securing a win that will keep them at the top of the table.
THE NPL PROGRAM
Friday 21.04
Heidelberg United – North Geelong Warriors 19:30
Oakleigh Cannons – Altona Magic 20:30
Saturday 22.04
Avondale – St Albans Saints 15:00
Hume City – Bentleigh Greens 18:30
Dandenong Thunder – Moreland City 19:15
Monday 24.04
Melbourne Knights – Green Gully 19:30
South Melbourne – Port Melbourne Sharks 19:30
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 9 25
2. South Melbourne 9 22
3. Oakleigh Cannons 8 17
4. Melbourne Knights 9 17
5. Green Gully 9 15
6. Altona Magic 9 14
7. Hume City 9 13
8. Port Melbourne 8 12
9. Dandenong Thunder 9 10
10. Heidelberg United 9 8
11. Moreland City 9 8
12. St Albans Saints 9 7
13. Bentleigh Greens 9 3
14. North Geelong 9 3
THE NPL2 PROGRAM
Friday 21.04
Dandenong City – Kingston City 19:45
Pascoe Vale – Bulleen Lions 20:15
Melbourne City (Y) – Werribee City 20:15
Preston Lions – Northcote City 20:30
Saturday 22.04
Brunswick City – Eastern Lions 15:00
Manningham United Blues – Langwarrin 15:00
Sunday 23.04
Western United (Y) – Brunswick Juventus 15:00
NPL2 – Table
1. Preston Lions 9 18
2. Western United (Y) 9 18
3. Kingston City 9 17
4. Langwarrin 9 16
5. Pascoe Vale 9 16
6. Eastern Lions 9 15
7. Dandenong 9 14
8. Northcote City 9 13
9. Manningham 9 12
10. Bulleen 9 9
11. Werribee 9 9
12. Brunswick City 9 8
13. Brunswick Juventus 9 7
14. Melbourne City (Y) 9 7
THE NPL3 PROGRAM IN DETAIL
Friday 21.04
Essendon Royals – Beaumaris 20:15
Saturday 22.04
Ballarat City – Doveton 15:00
North Sunshine Eagles – Geelong 15:00
Box Hill United – Goulburn Valley Suns 15:30
Caroline Springs George Cross – Melbourne Victory (Y) 17:30
Nunawading – Boroondara Eagles 19:30
NPL3- Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 5 15
2. Nunawading 5 12
3. North Sunshine 5 12
4. Geelong 5 10
5. Goulburn Suns 5 9
6. Beaumaris 5 8
7. Boroondara 5 6
8. Caroline Springs 5 6
9. Doveton 5 4
10. Box Hill 5 3
11. Essendon 5 1
12. Ballarat 5 1
