The Victorian football world was buzzing as the 7th matchday served up a magical mix of rivalries, crowded stands, and unexpected outcomes. Though the spotlight may have been stolen by a lackluster derby, the other Melbourne stadiums put on a show that left us feeling lucky to have seen it all.
Oakleigh Cannons – South Melbourne
The game of football at Oakleigh on Friday night was lackluster, but the true superstars were the passionate fans from both teams who packed the Jack Edwards Reserve. And let’s not forget the amazing canteen workers who kept our taste buds happy with mouthwatering food and refreshing drinks without any break for hours.
That was it, though.
On the field, we watched as a group of players in white and blue jerseys chased the ball without a clear strategy.
Even the two managers performed poorly on this night.
Experienced Chris Taylor appeared hesitant to make any changes, leaving players like Salmon on the field who had a negative impact throughout the entire ninety minutes. Esteban Quintas chose only the best players for his starting eleven, resulting in a lack of quality substitutes on the bench who could potentially make a difference in the match. Both teams played similar attacking styles, causing a derby full of meaningless battles in the center of the field and little action in front of either goal.
The atmosphere in Oakleigh on Friday night was positively enchanting!
The dedicated fans of two historic clubs flocked in droves, providing the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable football extravaganza.
And the best part? Peace reigned supreme with no signs of violence or disruptions. Families reveled in the evening as children ran around and played and women sipped on warm cups of coffee.
With this invigorating atmosphere, let’s keep our fingers crossed for equally lively crowds in the upcoming matches this season.
Port Melbourne Sharks – Altona Magic
What a heart-wrenching match for Port Melbourne!
Despite their fierce determination and brave efforts against Altona Magic, they were unable to claim victory. And just when they were on the brink of scoring a winning goal, disaster struck as their keeper, Shalamanov Trenkov, received a red card, leaving them with ten players on the field.
Despite losing their keeper, Nick Marinos team refused to back down.
With unwavering determination, they pushed themselves to improve their game, and it paid off.
In the 79th minute, Eoghan Stokes, assisted by the incredible Courtney-Perkins, scored with an one-touch goal that completely stunned the opposing team’s helpless goalkeeper, Gonzalez.
But even with this impressive lead, the team’s defense couldn’t keep out all their opponent’s attacks.
Magic fought back fiercely, eventually scoring an equalizer in the 90th minute with a powerful shot from Bul Juach.
The draw was a tough pill to swallow for Port Melbourne. Not because they played poorly, but because their young players lacked experience. With some more seasoned players on the field, they could have possibly held onto the ball and wasted a little more time, preventing the Magic from scoring.
It’s a lesson learned for this determined team, and they’ll come back stronger and wiser for the next match.
Avondale – Heidelberg United
The reigning champions Avondale and Alexandros were playing a highly-anticipated match, which was abandoned in the 85th minute at a tied score of 0-0.
Just five minutes before the end, the intense battle was halted due to a neck injury sustained by Nicholas Olsen, a player for Alexandros.
We all hope for a speedy recovery of the injured player from United.
Moving through the mundane, we must pause to applaud Hume City’s stellar triumph at Melbourne Knights’ territory.
The “Turks” unequivocally commanded the match and left both their opponents and fans in awe.
Aamir Abdalah, the game’s shining star, continues to dazzle us in the first seven games of the season.
VPL1
Under the reign of George Katsakis, Bentleigh Greens kicked off with a bang.
The seasoned coach skillfully guided his new squad to a 2-0 win over the formidable Kingston City.
Not only did the players bring their A-game, but their relentless determination and pressure on the field proved they were not going down without a fight.
Talk about a display of raw grit and determination.
Northcote City sure knows how to give a crowd a good time.
They effortlessly powered through the North Geelong Warriors’ turf, netting five goals. The Warriors’ fans were left gobsmacked and pondering their team’s fate.
The Greek club definitely left a lasting impression and raised the bar for future games.
Brunswick City attempted to snatch a win but Langwarrin weren’t having it.
The two teams danced around each other like a pair of skilled boxers, but ultimately they hugged it out with a 2-2 draw.
VPL2
On Friday night, Box Hill United and Essendon Royals had a nerve-wracking match.
The two rivals gave their all on the field, offering ninety minutes full of action and suspense. The exciting football spectacle ended with a final score of 3-3, leaving both teams’ fans satisfied.
NPL – RESULTS
Melbourne Knights – Hume City 2 – 5 (4′ C. Bramwell, 69′ M. Hore – 6′ M. Hore [A], 21′ J. Bingham, 49′ A. Abdallah, 67′ A. Abdallah, 90+ 1′ M. Platt [P])
St Albans – Manningham United 2 – 1 (39′ B. Summerskill [P], 49′ A. Gerez – 68′ R. Harding)
Green Gully – Dandenong Thunder 1 – 1 (27′ J. Hope – 53′ B. Kirdar)
Oakleigh Cannons – South Melbourne 0 – 0
Moreland City – Dandenong City 1 – 2 (68′ Goal – 10′ Th. Giannakopoulos, 36′ K. Athiu)
Port Melbourne Sharks – Altona Magic 1 – 1 (79′ E. Stokes – 90′ B. Juach)
Avondale – Heidelberg United 0 – 0 Abandoned
NPL – Table
Teams Matches Points
1. South Melbourne 7 17
2. Hume City 7 15
3. Avondale 7 14
4. Heidelberg Utd 7 13
5. Oakleigh Cannons 6 12
6. Port Melb Sharks 7 12
7. Dand City 7 11
8. Melb Knights 7 8
9. St. Albans 7 7
10. Dande Thunder 6 7
11. Green Gully 7 7
12. Manningham 7 6
13. Altona Magic 7 5
14. Moreland 7 0
VPL1 – Results
Brunswick City – Langwarrin 2 – 2
Bentleigh Greens – Kingston City 2 – 0
Eastern Lions – Preston Lions 3 – 3
North Geelong Warriors – Northcote City 0 – 5
Western United – Caroline Springs George Cross*
Melbourne Victory – Melbourne City 3 – 0
Bulleen Lions – Werribee City*
*This match took place on Monday night (25/3)
VPL1 – Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Melb Victory 7 17
2. Langwarrin 7 15
3. Northcote 7 13
4. Kingston 7 11
5. Bulleen Lions 6 11
6. Brunswick 7 10
7. Bentl Greens 7 10
8. Preston Lions 7 9
9. Western Utd 5 6
10. Carol Springs 6 6
11. Melb City 7 6
12. Werribee City 6 6
13. Eastern Lions 6 3
14. North Geelong 7 0