The NPL Victoria season is a non-stop rollercoaster! Every week, another blockbuster clash steals the spotlight from the last. This weekend, all eyes in Victorian football turn to the big one: newly-promoted Preston Lions taking on last year’s champs, Oakleigh Cannons.
Both teams are coming into this one licking their wounds, which just adds more spice to this already fiery contest.
The Lions had a tough time against the quality of Avondale, while the Cannons suffered a shocker at home, getting thumped 3-1 by St Albans.
The hunger for victory will be massive. The stands will be packed. Chris Taylor’s boys need to block out the noise, forget the ‘how’s’ and ‘whys’, and step onto that pitch with one goal: to grab those three points.
But it is not going to be a walk in the park! The cashed-up Lions, with their strong squad and passionate fans, are a team that can put anyone to the sword.
Guest, Knowles, Salmon, and the rest of Taylor’s warriors need to be at their absolute best if they want to escape that hostile Preston ground with the win.
Another tough away day awaits Alexandros this week. The ‘Yellow-Blacks’ are heading southeast of Melbourne to face the always tricky Dandenong City. Their last trip to Dandenong, just a couple of weeks back, ended in a bitter defeat against Thunder. This time around, just a stone’s throw from the Albanian-Australian club’s ground, they’ll be locking horns with City.
The home side seems to have a real taste for draws this season. Out of six games, four have ended level. They might struggle to get wins, but they definitely leave it all out on the park. Alexandros, on the other hand, are still searching for consistency. They play some cracking football in patches, but they’re struggling to keep their performance levels high for longer periods.
This weekend, consistency will be the key to the match. A few good moments or a strong half won’t be enough to secure the win. They need a full 90 minutes of heart, soul, and absolute focus.
South Melbourne Hellas coach Esteban Quintas has only one thing on his mind: victory! The Argentine gaffer thrives in times like these, when the heat is on. Doubt, criticism, and negativity fuel the Latin American, making him even stronger.
He’s adamant about his players and believes now is the time for everyone in the club to dig deep and show what they’re made of. After all, tough times are what separate the boys from the men.
Against Hume, Hellas must win. They need those three points more than anything. But Hume won’t be a pushover. The five goals they conceded last week against Alexandros don’t reflect their true quality. Either way, this match promises a full 90 minutes of pure football magic. Don’t miss the action!
Meanwhile, Nea Hellas are desperate to escape the nightmare start to their season. The Port Melbourne side are struggling, sitting at the bottom of the ladder with just one win in six games. This situation can’t continue for the ‘Sharks’, and that’s exactly what they’ll be thinking on Sunday when they travel to St Albans to face the Saints. We’ll have to wait and see if they can show some fight on the pitch and inject some much-needed optimism into their future fixtures.
VPL1
We’ve got a cracking Greek derby this week in the VPL1! Leonidas from Brunswick are hosting Kingston City in a match packed with history. Both teams are neck and neck in the standings, which adds even more spice to this already super-interesting clash in round seven.
Top-of-the-table Bentleigh Greens are welcoming Caroline Springs. The mighty Pancyprios are on a roll! They’re racking up wins for fun, playing some beautiful football, and look more ready than ever for a return to the big league of the NPL.
Iraklis are also playing at home this week. Northcote City will host Langwarrin on Friday night. An opponent that’s definitely within reach for the Greek Australian side. A bit of composure and some basic attacking finishing will be enough to secure the win for Iraklis.
VPL2
Box Hill United are desperate to keep their momentum going this week. Pythagoras had a field day last week in Brunswick, but that big win against Juventus will mean nothing if they don’t follow it up with a positive result against Geelong this Saturday.
NPL – Schedule
Friday March 21
Melbourne Knights – Melbourne Victory 7.30pm
Dandenong City – Heidelberg United 7.45pm
Preston Lions – Oakleigh Cannons 8.30pm
Hume City – South Melbourne 8.30pm
Saturday March 22
Altona Magic – Green Gully 6.15pm
Dandenong Thunder – Avondale 7pm
Sunday March 23
St Albans Saints – Port Melbourne Sharks 4pm
NPL – Standings
1. Avondale 6 18
2. Dand Thunder 6 13
3. Preston Lions 6 11
4. Oakleigh Cannons 6 10
5. Heidelberg Utd 6 10
6. Hume City 6 10
7. Dand City 6 7
8. St. Albans 6 7
9. South Melbourne 6 7
10. Melb Knights 6 6
11. Altona Magic 6 5
12. Mel Victory NPL 6 5
13. Green Gully 6 5
14. Port Melb Sharks 6 3
VPL1 – Schedule
Friday March 21
Northcote – Langwarrin 7.30pm
Brunswick City – Kingston City 8pm
Moreland City – Western United 8.30pm
Bentleigh Greens – Caroline Springs 8.30pm
Saturday March 22
Manningham United – Bulleen Lions 3.15pm
Eastern Lions – North Sunshine Eagles 6pm
Sunday March 23
Melbourne City – Melbourne Srbija 3pm
VPL1 – Standings
1. Bentl Greens 6 15
2. Melb City 6 14
3. Western Utd 6 13
4. Carol Springs 6 12
5. Bulleen Lions 6 10
6. Kingston 6 10
7. Brunswick City 6 9
8. Northcote 6 9
9. Manningham 6 8
10. North Sunshine 6 6
11. Melbourne SRBIJA 6 4
12. Moreland 6 4
13. Langwarrin 6 1
14. Eastern Lions 6 1
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