Port Melbourne – South Melbourne
The South Melbourne fans had a reason to be optimistic at the game’s start, as Jankovic opened the scoring for the Grand Finalists in the 5th minute.
The South Melbourne “armada” grew in confidence as Langlois added two more goals in the 14th and 37th minutes, concluding the first half with a 0-3 lead.
The crowd was ecstatic in the second half as Ajak Riak added yet another beautiful goal, and South Melbourne’s performance was truly the stuff of their fans’ wildest dreams.
It was a truly inspiring performance that left South Melbourne supporters filled with optimism and confidence.
Altona Magic – Oakleigh Cannons
Cannons failed to pass through Magic’s home ground. The two teams played around for the first 45 minutes without showing anything of substance on the pitch and although the visitors managed to start the second half with Stefano Valentini opening the scoring, they eventually left the western suburbs with their heads down.
The hosts equalized in the 65th minute through Leech and then took the lead with the same scorer in the 72nd minute.
Chris Taylor’s side tried to bring the match back to level but the Magic seemed to have an answer to every offensive plan of the experienced coach of the visiting team, resulting in a defeat that now keeps them five points behind second-placed South Melbourne.
North Geelong – Heidelberg United
The Warriors and United presented two very tight sets on the grass, resulting in a strength and personal duel-based match, mainly in the center of the field.
Giorgos Katsakis’ team faced difficulty when the guests were left with ten players from the 41st minute.
Despite the “Yellow and Black” trying to create dangers for the opposition team, they seemed unable to find a solution to the defensive puzzles presented to them by the home team’s players. Ultimately, the match ended with a nil result for the “Greek” club, which continues its upward competitive course.
Bentleigh Greens – Hume City
Things are not going well for Pancyprios. The “Greens” are still at the bottom of the standings, they seem unable to find the points that will keep them in the division and they definitely need a drastic change in the image they present in order to find solutions to the competitive problem that has plagued them since the beginning of the season.
This time it was Hume who passed comfortably through the Greens’ house. The visitors, with two goals from Bingham, managed to pocket the three points and force the home side to another negative result at home.
The Cypriots must quickly find competitive solutions if they want to remain in the top division of the NPL next season.
The NPL2
Kingston City and Dandenong City ended their big derby in a 1-1 draw, leaving Kingston City in first place with 41 points.
Northcote’s amazing display filled their fans with pride as they achieved a 2-0 victory over Preston Lion.
Brunswick’s 1-2 away victory at Eastern Lions allowed them to escape the relegation zone and now sit in 12th place with 27 points.
The NPL3
It was an exciting match between Box Hill and Doveton, as the two teams battled it out for the win. Ultimately, both teams had to settle for a 1-1 draw, with each team taking a point from the match.
Both sides gave it their all, and it was a close match with neither team having clear control. The goalkeepers for both sides were excellent, keeping the match close and making some amazing saves. It was an entertaining match that had fans on the edge of their seats throughout, and in the end, it was an excellent display of soccer by both teams.
The State Leagues
Yarraville secured a big 2-3 away win this weekend, taking the three points from Whittlesea ground. Both Greek teams in the Southeast group of the same league had positive results. Malvern comfortably defeated Old Scotch 0-1, while Aris snatched a point from Melbourne group leaders SRBIJA after the two rivals tied 1-1.
NPL – RESULTS
Green Gully – Melbourne Knights 2 – 0 (46′ A. Koudakpo, 84′ G. Iannucci)
Moreland – Dandenong Thunder 0 – 4 (32′ K. Hallam, 39′ S. Lochhead, 51′ S. Lochhead, 65′ G. Damen)
North Geelong Warriors – Heidelberg United 0 – 0
Bentleigh Greens – Hume City 0 – 2 (55′ J. Bingham, 81′ J. Bingham)
Port Melbourne Sharks – South Melbourne 0 – 4 (5′ M. Jankovic, 14′ P. Langlois, 37′ P. Langlois, 61′ AC Riak)
Altona Magic – Oakleigh Cannons 2 – 1 (65′ C. Leech, 72′ C. Leech – 46′ S. Valentini)
St Albans – Avondale 1 – 2 (34′ K. Kamara, 89′ Y. Ahmed [Π] – 90+5′ J. McGlade)
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 23 60
2. South Melbourne 22 56
3. Oakleigh Cannons 23 51
4. Melbourne Knights 23 41
5. Port Melbourne 23 40
6. Altona Magic 23 38
7. Green Gully 23 37
8. Dandenong Thunder 23 30
9. Hume City 23 24
10. Heidelberg United 22 22
11. St Albans Saints 23 16
12. Bentleigh Greens 23 14
13. North Geelong 23 14
14. Moreland City 23 13
NPL2 – Results
Brunswick Juventus – Western United (Y) 1 – 1
Northcote City – Preston Lions 2 – 0
Kingston City – Dandenong City 1 – 1
Eastern Lions – Brunswick City 1 – 2
Langwarrin – Manningham United Blues 3 – 5
Melbourne City (Y) – Werribee 4 – 4
Bulleen Lions – Pascoe Vale**
**The match was played on Monday afternoon (27/07)
NPL2 – Table
1. Kingston City 23 41
2. Dandenong 23 40
3. Western United (Y) 23 39
4. Manningham 23 35
5. Preston Lions 23 35
6. Northcote City 22 33
7. Melbourne City (Y) 23 32
8. Eastern Lions 22 33
9. Langwarrin 23 29
10. Bulleen 22 27
11. Werribee 23 27
12. Brunswick City 23 27
13. Brunswick Juventus 23 26
14. Pascoe Vale 22 23
NPL3 – Results
Beaumaris -Caroline Springs George Cross 1 – 2
Goulburn Valley Suns -North Sunshine Eagles 3 – 3
Doveton -Box Hill United 1 – 1
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Geelong 3 – 2
Ballarat City – Essendon Royals 3 – 2
Melbourne Victory (Y) –Nunawading 2 – 1
NPL3 – Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 19 41
2. Caroline Springs 18 40
3. Goulburn Suns 19 32
4. North Sunshine 19 32
5. Nunawading 18 29
6. Boroondara 19 29
7. Doveton 19 27
8. Box Hill 19 22
9. Beaumaris 19 18
10. Essendon 19 17
11. Geelong 19 17
12. Ballarat 19 17
