The Victorian state leagues kicked off last weekend, with hundreds of clubs starting their season.
Among them were many Greek Australian teams, across five different categories and groups, all with a rich history and loyal fans.
Neos Kosmos will provide weekly updates on the happenings in the state leagues, with a focus on the groups in which Greek – Australian clubs compete.
State League 1 Northwest group
Three Greek Australian clubs participate in the Northwest group of the first division of the state leagues.
* The match against Ballarat saw Yarraville suffer a tough 5-2 loss.
From the beginning, the home team took control of the game, leaving the away team to play a supporting role.
Yarraville will next host Westgate on Friday night, April 4th.
* In their away game, Clifton Hill’s team, nicknamed the “men from the hill”, suffered a defeat. They were unable to resist Sydenham Park and ended up losing 2 – 0, resulting in zero points for the match.
On the next matchday, Clifton Hill will host Corio.
* The Western Suburbs, known for their epic matches, only managed to snag a single point in the match against Whittlesea that ended in a thrilling 3 – 3 draw.
Approximately 300 die-hard fans were treated to this nail-biting game on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Western Suburbs will travel to Ballarat for the 2nd matchday of the season.
State League 1 Southeast Group
There are two Greek Australian clubs that compete in the Southeast group of the first division of the state leagues.
*Malvern City started their campaign with a defeat to the Springvale White Eagles. The Blues were overwhelmed by the dominance of their opponent, allowing them to score three goals while only managing to score one.
Next matchday, City will face Banyule City.
*South Springvale began the season with a 0-1 loss at home to Banyule City.
The “Yellow and Black” seemed unorganized and ill-prepared for the start of the season. In their upcoming match, Aris from Springvale will play against Collingwood City at home.
State League 2 Northwest group
There are three Greek-Australian clubs participating in this group.
* Westvale Olympic achieved a great away victory with a 3-4 score. The guests had a great day thanks to Harry Theodorakopoulos, whose nearly perfect performance led his team to earning three points.
On the next matchday, Westvale will play away against Geelong Rangers.
* Craigieburn City was no match for Mill Park, who effortlessly jumped over their hurdle. With the game in their grasp from the start, the hosts cruised to a 3-1 win.
However, Keilor Park, notorious for their dependability, will surely put up a tougher fight in the next matchday.
* Altona East Phoenix swooped in and effortlessly defeated Hume United on their own turf. The “black and white” showed their dominance, leaving the home team in the dust with a final score of 0-2.
And as for next weekend? PAOK is getting ready to take on the Hoppers Crossing squad.
State League 2 Southeast Group
There are three Greek-Australian clubs competing in this group.
* The Bayside Argonauts got off to a strong start this season.
The team dominated the field at Darebin International Sports Center, allowing no room for resistance from North Caulfield.
They maintained control of the match and ultimately came out with a score of 0-2. In their next game, the Argonauts will play against Hampton East Brighton at home.
* Chisholm had a rough start to the season as they were unable to compete against Skye United, who ultimately won with a score of 2-1 at Jack Edwards Reserve.
In the next matchday, Chisholm will be playing against BCSC.
*Bentleigh United and Knox City could not decide who was the better team, settling the score at 1-1. The Cobras showed some fierce determination and nearly seized victory at Egan Lee Reserve. In the next game, the “yellow and black” squad will be hitting the road to take on Greater Dandenong. It’s sure to be an electric match that will have fans on the edge of their seats.
State League 4 North group
Two Greek Australian clubs participate in the Northern group of the fourth division of the Victorian State Leagues..
*Darebin United began their journey this year with a significant away victory.
Apollon from Thornbury easily defeated Moreland United with a score of 2-3.
On the next matchday, they will face another challenging away match as they travel to Greensborough to take on Watsonia Heights.
* West Preston has already been in Greensborough for matchday one. Antigoras faced Watsonia in a head-to-head match that ended in a draw with an impressive score of 3-3.
West Preston will face Thornbury Athletic for matchday number two.
State League 4 East group
*There is only one Greek-Australian club participating in the Eastern group of the fourth division, and that is none other than Waverley Wanderers.
The team called A.E.K. Waverley began this year’s campaign on a sour note, experiencing a 0-2 home defeat by Knox United. The “Two-Headed Eagle” will now travel to Croydon to play against the local City for the second matchday.
State League 5 East group
*East Kew is the only Greek-Australian team competing in this group. Olympiacos from Kew played an away game in the league opener and was held to a 1-1 draw against Lilydale Montrose United.
The “Red and Whites” will face Noble Park at home in their next match..
State League 5 North group
*The representative of the Greek community in this group is none other than Keon Park. The “Black and Yellow” started the season off strong, winning with a score of 0-1 at the home of Doreen United.
On matchday two, Keon will face Alphington at home.
THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN CLUBS SCHEDULE
State League 1 Northwest group
Matchday 1 – Results
Sydenham Park – Clifton Hill 2 – 0
Ballarat City – Yarraville Glory 5 – 2
Western Suburbs – Whittlesea United 3 – 3
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Friday 5/4
Yarraville Glory – Westgate 20:30
Saturday 6/4
Clifton Hill – Corio 15:00
Ballarat City – Western Suburbs 17:30
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Ballarat 1 3
2. Sydenham 1 3
3. Corio 1 3
4. Westgate 1 3
5. Brimbank 1 3
6. Western Suburbs 1 1
7. Whittlesea United 1 1
8. Geelong 1 0
9. Strathmore 1 0
10. Upfield 1 0
11. Clifton Hill 1 0
12. Yarraville 1 0
State League 1 Southeast Group
Matchday 1 – Results
Springvale White Eagles – Malvern City 3 – 1
South Springvale – Banyule City 0 – 1
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Friday 5/4
Collingwood City – South Springvale 20:30
Saturday 6/4
Banyule City – Malvern City 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Mornington 1 3
2. White Eagles 1 3
3. Eltham 1 3
4. Gippsland 1 3
5. Banyule City 1 3
6. Brandon Park 1 1
7. Casey Comet 1 1
8. Mazenod 1 0
9. Old Scotch 1 0
10. South Springvale 1 0
11. Malvern 1 0
12. Collingwood 1 0
State League 2 Northwest group
Matchday 1 – Results
Albion Rovers FC – Westvale Olympic 3 – 4
Mill Park – Craigieburn City 3 – 1
Hume United – Altona East Phoenix 0 – 2
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Saturday 6/4
Hoppers Crossing – Altona East Phoenix 15:00
Geelong Rangers – Westvale Olympic 15:00
Mill Park – Keilor Park 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Whittlesea 1 3
2. Mill Park 1 3
3. Altona East Phoenix 1 3
4. Geelong Rangers 1 3
5. Westvale Olympic 1 3
6. Keilor Park 1 3
7. Albion Rovers 1 0
8. Lalor United 1 0
9. Hoppers Crossing 1 0
10. Craigieburn City 1 0
11. Uni Hill Eagles 1 0
12. Hume United 1 0
State League 2 Southeast Group
Matchday 1 – Results
Knox City – Bentleigh United Cobras 2 – 2
Chisholm United – Skye United 1 – 2
North Caulfield – Bayside Argonauts 1 – 2
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Friday 5/4
BCSC – Chisholm United 20:30
Saturday 6/4
Bayside Argonauts – Hampton East Brighton 15:00
Greater Dandenong – Bentleigh United Cobras 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Bayside Argonauts 1 3
2. Skye United 1 3
3. Mooroolbark 1 1
4. Bentleigh United Cobras 1 1
5. Hampton East Bentleigh 1 1
6. Knox City 1 1
7. Greater Dandenong 1 1
8. Peninsula Strikers 1 1
9. Doncaster Rovers 1 1
10. BCSC 1 1
11. North Caulfield 1 0
12. Chisholm United 1 0
State League 4 North group
Matchday 1 – Results
Watsonia Heights – West Preston 3 – 3
Moreland United – Darebin United 2 – 3
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Saturday 6/4
Watsonia Heights – Darebin United 15:00
Thornbury Athletic – West Preston 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Moonee Valley 1 3
2. Darebin United 1 3
3. Plenty Valley 1 3
4. Glenroy Lions 1 3
5. Fawkner 1 3
6. West Preston 1 1
7. Watsonia Heights 1 1
8. Thornbury 1 0
9. Moreland 1 0
10. Docklands 1 0
11. Melbourne UNI 1 0
12. Greenvale United 1 0
State League 4 East group
Matchday 1 – Results
Waverley Wanderers – Knox 0 – 2
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Saturday 6/4
Croydon City – Waverley Wanderers 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Knox United 1 3
2. Kings Domain 1 3
3. Monash City Villareal 1 3
4. Albert Park 1 3
5. Boronia 1 3
6. Croydon City 1 1
7. Riversdale 1 1
8. Manningham Juventus 1 0
9. Yarra Jets 1 0
10. Monbulk Rangers 1 0
11. Waverley Wanderers 1 0
12. Ringwood City 1 0
State League 5 East group
Matchday 1 – Results
Lilydale Montrose United – East Kew 2 – 2
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Saturday 6/4
East Kew – Noble Park 15:00
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Mount Waverley 1 3
2. Templestowe Wolves 1 3
3. East Bentleigh 1 3
4. Old Melburnians 1 3
5. East Kew 1 1
6. Lilydale Montrose United 1 1
7. Old St Kevins 1 1
8. Glen Waverley 1 1
9. Noble Park 1 0
10. Whitehorse United 1 0
11. Old Ivanhoe 1 0
12. Old Trinity 1 0
State League 5 North group
Matchday 1 – Results
Doreen United – Keon Park 0 – 1
Matchday 2 – Schedule
Friday 5/4
Keon Park – Alphington 20:30
Table
Teams Matches Points
1. Melbourne UNI 1 3
2. Moreland Eagles 1 3
3. La Trobe UNI 1 3
4. Keon Park 1 3
5. Mitchell Rangers 1 1
6. Alphington 1 1
7. Heidelberg Stars
8. Meadow Park
9. Birrarung 1 0
10. Doreen United 1 0
11. Roxburgh Park 1 0
12. Tullamarine 1 0