The NPL championship served up an Easter feast of incredible goals and dazzling performances this past weekend. Despite the smaller crowds due to holiday festivities, the teams managed to deliver a sumptuous spread of real football magic.
South Melbourne – Avondale
The highly-anticipated derby between South Melbourne and champions Avondale ended in disappointment for the Greek Australian team.
Despite coming out with high energy and determination, they let their opponents steal the show with an early goal.
It was a classic case of “you can possess the ball, but you can’t possess the lead.” However, South Melbourne was not one to give up easily and managed to equalize the match with a penalty from their star player, Sawyer.
Sadly, their moment of glory was short-lived as Avondale bounced back with a penalty of their own. Talk about a penalty party!
In the end, Avondale walked away with a well-deserved victory, leaving South Melbourne with their first defeat of the season.
But hey, at least they’re still at the top of the league table, so I guess you could say they’re “losing in style.”
Heidelberg United – Manningham United
Heidelberg United really knows how to throw a party – as displayed by their smashing 5-0 win over Manningham.
Talk about being the ultimate hosts, they dominated the game and showed no mercy. And let’s talk about Nick Olsen, that man was on fire with not one but two goals. Even a slower start in the second half couldn’t stop these unstoppable Greek Australians.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if they can keep up this impressive show, but for now, they’re on a roll and it’s a Greek Easter celebration every week for Heidelberg United.
Port Melbourne – Dandenong City
The Port Melbourne Sharks took the scenic route to a sweet victory against Dandenong City on Saturday.
The Greek Australian squad was determined to snag the three points, and they did so with impressive gusto.
Their weapons of choice? Striker extraordinaire Jackson Courtney Perkins, who fired two goals, and the one and only Mr. Peters, who added the third with ease.
The only thing the opposing team could manage was a measly consolation goal from one of their own “Greek Australian kids”, Timothy Atherinos, in the 78th minute. Talk about a masterclass in victory.
The VPL1
Bentleigh Greens and Northcote City each refused to be defeated on foreign turf this weekend. T
he Greens ventured to the charming town of Werribee to take on their adversaries. Despite conceding a goal in the 39th minute, the visitors managed to even the playing field with a last-minute score before halftime.
Likewise, Langwarrin and Northcote City settled for a tie. Despite the home team’s 2-0 lead, the Greek-Australian squad rallied to level the playing field and snag a point before departing Langwarrin.
The VPL2
Box Hill United suffered a crushing defeat at the hands (or should I say feet) of the Goulburn Valley Suns.
Despite Pythagoras bringing his best geometry moves to Shepparton, the result was a three-angled loss and zero points packed in their bags for the journey home.
NPL – RESULTS
Dandenong Thunder – Melbourne Knights 0 – 3 (6′ C. Bramwell, 27′ C. Bramwell, 71′ S. Sakhi)
Altona Magic – Hume City 0 – 2 (11′ A. Abdallah, 67′ L. Isgrove)
Green Gully – St Albans Saints 4 – 0 (25′ S. Ahmed, 45′ M. Adam, 50′ J. Regague, 54′ M. Adam)
South Melbourne – Avondale 1 – 3 (51′ H. Sawyer [P] – 14′ G. Ott, 56′ K. Kur [P], 63′ G. Ott)
Port Melbourne Sharks – Dandenong City 3 – 1 (38′ J. Courtney – Perkins, 60′ J. Courtney – Perkins, 64′ E. Peters – 78′ T. Atherinos)
Heidelberg United – Manningham United 5 – 0 (16′ M. Aidara, 24′ J. Pin, 44′ N. Olsen, 70′ J. Pin, 74′ K. Sheppard)
Oakleigh Cannons – Moreland City *
*This match will take place on Monday night (6/5)
NPL – TABLE
Teams Matches Points
1. South Melbourne 12 29
2. Heidelberg Utd 12 26
3. Avondale 12 26
4. Hume City 12 26
5. Oakleigh Cannons 11 22
6. Port Melb Sharks 12 21
7. Dand City 12 16
8. Melb Knights 12 14
9. Green Gully 12 14
10. Altona Magic 12 13
11. Dand Thunder 12 11
12. Manningham 12 9
13. St. Albans 12 7
14. Moreland 11 0
VPL1 – RESULTS
Langwarrin – Northcote City 2 – 2
Caroline Springs – North Geelong 2 – 1
Werribee City – Bentleigh Greens 2 – 2
Melbourne City – Eastern Lions 3 – 1
Brunswick City – Preston Lions **
Kingston City – Melbourne Victory **
Bulleen Lions – Western United **
**These matches will take place on Monday night (6/5)
VPL1 – RATING
Teams Matches Points
1. Melb Victory 11 29
2. Northcote 12 23
3. Preston Lions 11 21
4. Bentl Greens 12 20
5. Western Utd 11 19
6. Langwarrin 12 18
7. Brunswick City 11 16
8. Bulleen Lions 11 16
9. Kingston 11 14
10. Carol Springs 12 12
11. Eastern Lions 12 11
12. Melb City 12 10
13. Werribee City 12 6
14. North Geelong 12 4
VPL2 – RESULTS
Brunswick Juventus – Essendon Royals 0 – 3
Altona City – North Sunshine Eagles 1 – 1
Doveton – Nunawading City 1 – 2
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Pascoe Vale 0 – 3
FC Melbourne Srbija – Beaumaris 2 – 0
Goulburn Valley Suns – Box Hill United 3 – 0
VPL2 – TABLE
Teams Matches Points
1. Brun Juventus 7 15
2. Altona City 7 15
3. Essendon Royals 7 15
4. FC Melb. Serbia 7 14
5. Nunawading City 7 13
6. Nth Sunsh. Eagles 7 13
7. Pascoe Vale 7 12
8. Boroondara Eagles 7 10
9. Box Hill United 7 6
10. Goulburn V. Suns 7 4
11. Doveton 7 0
12. Beaumaris 7 0
