South Melbourne’s efforts were in vain as they left Avondale Stadium defeated, keeping them away from the top of the standings.
It was a very tight match, decided mainly by the personal duels of the footballers in every corner of the pitch.
The “Italians” opened the scoring in the 61st minute with Stefan Zinni, one of the most influential footballers of the current season.
The visitors then looked for a goal to level the match, but the home team doubled their goals with Liston Diaz in the 83rd minute.
Just before the referee’s final whistle, the “Greek” team managed to score the goal of honour with Luka Ninkovic in the 98th minute.
Hume City – Port Melbourne Sharks
Port Melbourne left Hume’s Stadium with the score tied.
The “Greek” team displayed their virtues on the grass and dominated, but failed to steal the three points from the “Turks” home.
Against the flow of the match, the home team opened the scoring.
The “reds” counterattacked from the left, with Lazaridis passing the ball to Josh Bingham, who deftly made it 1-0.
The visitors didn’t relent; they pushed up their lines and increased the pressure, eventually finding the equalizer in the 75th minute through Ross Archibald.
With this tie, the Port team remains in fifth place in the standings, in the golden top six that leads to the championship finals.
Green Gully – Heidelberg United
George Katsakis’ Heidelberg United passed victoriously through Greens Gullys home, giving their all on the pitch and circulating the ball beautifully around, resulting in the three points being left in their pockets.
The black and yellow have performed greatly in the last few weeks and will regret not showing the same face from the start of the season, as things could have been much different for the historic club.
Altona Magic – Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh Greens are not letting up as they suffered yet another defeat against Altona Magic. Despite their best efforts, Pancyprios remains in the last two places of the table, leading to NPL2.
This was a tough defeat for the storied Greens side, who will be desperately searching for a miracle in the final matchday to stay in the top division of Victorian football.
The NPL2
Kingston suffered a heavy and unjustifiable defeat at home.
The “red and whites” were defeated 0-5 against Manningham, putting a huge blemish on their otherwise impressive course.
A terrific performance from Brunswick against Pascoe Vale.
The Greek team left no room for reaction from the guests, scoring four goals and giving the friends of the club a beautiful football afternoon full of goals and spectacle.
Northcote and Western United matched each other at 1-1, judged by the strength and passion of their footballers.
The NPL3
Essendon Royals inflicted a heavy 3-0 defeat on Box Hill United, who had a very poor night and could not withstand the home team’s superiority.
The State Leagues
Yarraville suffered a bitter home defeat. The Blue and White Club hosted the Brimbank Stallions, who scored three goals to just one for the hosts.
The teams from the Southeast Group had better luck.
Malvern overcame Eltham 2-1, while Aris from Springvale defeated Old Scotch by the same scoreline.
NPL RESULTS IN DETAIL
Avondale – South Melbourne 2 – 1 (61′ S. Zinni, 83′ L. Diaz – 90+8′ L. Ninkovic)
Moreland – St Albans 0 – 1 (3′ B. Summerskill)
Altona Magic – Bentleigh Greens 1 – 0 (45+4′ C. Cavallo[A])
Hume City – Port Melbourne Sharks 1 – 1 (59′ J. Bingham – 75′ R. Archibald)
Melbourne Knights – Dandenong Thunder 2 – 1 (38′ J. Phelps, 82′ I. Franjic – 66′ K. Dover)
Green Gully – Heidelberg United 1 – 2 (38′ N. Bonada – 63′ J. Ali, 84′ S. Ellis)
NPL Ladder
(Rank/Team/Points)
1. Avondale 25 64
2. South Melbourne 24 59
3. Oakleigh Cannons 25 55
4. Melbourne Knights 25 47
5. Port Melbourne 25 42
6. Altona Magic 25 41
7. Green Gully 25 37
8. Dandenong Thunder 25 33
9. Hume City 25 25
10. Heidelberg United 24 25
11. St Albans Saints 25 22
12. Moreland City 25 16
13. Bentleigh Greens 25 15
14. North Geelong 25 14
THE RESULTS OF NPL2
Werribee – Langwarrin 0 – 0
Brunswick Juventus – Melbourne City (Y) 5 – 2
Northcote City – Western United (Y) 1 – 1
Kingston City – Manningham United Blues 0 – 5
Brunswick City -Pascoe Vale 4 – 1
Eastern Lions – Preston Lions 2 – 1
Bulleen Lions – Dandenong City **
**The match will be held on Monday 14/08
NPL2 Ladder
(Rank/Team/Points)
1. Western United (Y) 25 43
2. Dandenong 24 43
3. Manningham 25 41
4. Kingston City 25 41
5. Eastern Lions 25 39
6. Northcote City 25 37
7. Preston Lions 25 35
8. Bulleen 24 33
9. Melbourne City (Y) 25 33
10. Langwarrin 25 33
11. Werribee 25 31
12. Brunswick City 25 30
13. Brunswick Juventus 25 29
14. Pascoe Vale 25 23
THE RESULTS OF NPL3
Essendon Royals -Box Hill United 3 – 0
Ballarat City – Caroline Springs George Cross 1 – 2
Beaumaris – Nunawading 7 – 1
Goulburn Valley Suns – Geelong 1 – 0
Doveton – North Sunshine Eagles 0 – 5
Boroondara Carey Eagles -Melbourne Victory (Y) 2 – 1
NPL3 Ladder
(Rank/Team/Points)
1. Caroline Springs 21 49
2. Melbourne Victory (Y) 22 42
3. North Sunshine 21 35
4. Goulburn Suns 21 35
5. Nunawading 21 32
6. Boroondara 21 32
7. Doveton 21 27
8. Box Hill 21 25
9. Beaumaris 21 24
10. Essendon 21 23
11. Geelong 21 18
12. Ballarat 21 17
