The NPL Victoria Men’s competition delivered a pulsating round of fixtures, with the blockbuster clash between Preston Lions and Heidelberg United stealing the show. This derby was less a football match and more a heavyweight bout, especially in a frenetic first half.
For 40 minutes, the two sides traded blows like seasoned boxers. The ball pinged from end to end, chances piled up in front of both goals, and the tension only grew as the clock ticked on.
The decisive moment arrived just before the break. The electric Bul Juach picked up the ball on the edge of the box, drove forward a few meters, and unleashed a rocket past the Lions’ keeper to make it 0-1. It was a knockout blow, silencing the vocal Preston faithful and sending Heidelberg’s “yellow and blacks” into raptures.
The second half saw a shift. Heidelberg tightened their lines, ceded possession, and managed the game with composure to see out the win without further drama. This was a massive statement of intent from the Bergers, propelling them, albeit temporarily, to the top of the ladder and cementing their title credentials.
South Melbourne put in a herculean effort against St Albans Saints on Friday night. For 94 minutes, they did everything right. George Mells fired them ahead in the 23rd minute, and the in-form Max Mikkola doubled their lead in the 50th. Victory seemed certain. But the Saints refused to roll over. Mickel Platt pulled one back in the 55th minute, shifting the momentum. Then, deep into stoppage time, a moment of chaos allowed Lucas Byrns to level the score at 2-2, leaving South Melbourne stunned. The Greek Australian side were left to lament a result that slipped through their fingers, their faces frozen in disbelief as a vital away win evaporated.
Port Melbourne Sharks, meanwhile, battled their way to a hard-fought point at Green Gully. The Greek Australian outfit faced a stern test at one of the competition’s toughest venues. The “green machine” dominated possession and created plenty of chances, but the Sharks showed grit and a stubborn will to survive. Max Gaydovskiy’s side held firm for a 0-0 draw, a point that could prove golden in the tight race to avoid the drop.
The game between Oakleigh Cannons and Melbourne Knights was cancelled due to the Knights ground being waterlogged.
VPL1
Bentleigh Greens, led by coach George Katsakis, secured a massive away win over the weekend, keeping their promotion push on track. The “greens” edged Melbourne Srbija 2-1 in a thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats. Bentleigh struck first in the 66th minute, taking a crucial lead. Srbija equalised in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finale. But 17-year-old Edward Jack Mitrevski had other ideas, popping up with a 95th-minute winner to send the Bentleigh camp into delirium. The victory keeps the Greek Australian side level with Melbourne City at the top of the ladder, their promotion dreams burning bright.
Northcote City proved to be ruthless hosts on Friday night, staging a late comeback to down Eastern Lions 2-1. The Greek Australian side looked set for a draw until the 87th minute when they levelled the score. Just a minute later, they flipped the game on its head with a stunning second goal, sparking wild scenes among the home fans. The result rocketed Northcote into fourth place, just 10 points off the top.
Brunswick City faced a tough lesson against Langwarrin, falling 2-1 at home. Despite their quality, the Greek Australian side couldn’t overcome Langwarrin’s resilience and a touch of fortune, leaving them stuck in seventh place.
VPL2
Box Hill United’s Pythagoras clinched a vital 2-1 win over Pascoe Vale, a result that could define their season. Luka Jevtic and Ruben Sanchez-Marcano were the heroes, their goals lifting the Greek Australian side to ninth place and breathing new life into their campaign. For Pascoe Vale, the loss leaves them teetering on the brink of relegation.
NPL – Results
- Green Gully – Port Melbourne Sharks 0 – 1
- Preston Lions – Heidelberg United 0 – 1 (43′ B. Juach)
- St Albans Saints – South Melbourne 2 – 2 (23′ G. Mells, 50′ M. Mikkola – 55′ M. Platt, 90+5′ L. Byrns)
- Hume City – Dandenong City 3 – 0 (45+3′ L. Isgrove, 73′ R. Harker, 90+3′ M. Uysal)
- Dandenong Thunder – Altona Magic 6 – 0 (11′, 18′ J. Jalloh, 20′ J. Romanovski, 46′ D. Clark, 59′ M. Memeti, 71′ M. Selimovski)
- Melbourne Knights vs Oakleigh Cannons (cancelled due to the ground being waterlogged)
NPL – Standings
Team Matches Points
- Heidelberg 17 41
- Avondale 16 39
- Dandenong Thunder 17 36
- Oakleigh Cannons 16 34
- Hume City 17 30
- Preston Lions 17 28
- Dandenong City 17 23
- Green Gully 17 22
- Altona Magic 17 17
- South Melbourne 17 16
- St Albans Saints 17 13
- Melbourne Victory 16 12
- Port Melbourne Sharks 17 11
- Melbourne Knights 16 9
VPL1 – Results
- Northcote City – Eastern Lions 2 – 1
- Brunswick City – Langwarrin 1 – 2
- Moreland City – Melbourne City 0 – 2
- North Sunshine Eagles – Bulleen Lions 2 – 1
- Manningham United Blues – Western United 4 – 4
- Melbourne Srbija – Bentleigh Greens 1 – 2
- Kingston City vs Caroline Springs George Cross (This match will be played on Monday evening, 9/6)
VPL1 – Standings
Team Matches Points
- Bentleigh 17 38
- Melbourne City 16 35
- George Cross 16 33
- Northcote 16 28
- Western United 16 26
- Bulleen Lions 16 26
- Brunswick 17 25
- North Sunshine 17 24
- Manningham 17 22
- Melbourne Srbija 17 17
- Langwarrin 17 16
- Eastern Lions 17 14
- Kingston City 16 11
- Moreland City 17 11
