Heidelberg’s 5-nil win over South Melbourne turned the tables on its old rival, delivering redemption for the Bergers following a 6-nil defeat in the opening round of the season.
This Sunday, in a Round 15 NPL1 clash at Knights stadium, the third-placed Bergers will be wary of a Melbourne Knights team seeking the same sort of redemption for the 6-1 loss to Heidelberg at the Village in Round 2.
In that game the Bergers began like men possessed, scoring four times in the opening 20 minutes.
The Knights will be a lot more cautious this time around, although they themselves are coming off a good win last week against Green Gully, and a good result against the Bergers will keep the seventh-placed Knights within touch of the top six.
Sitting just behind the Knights on the ladder is the Port Melbourne Sharks. Eric Vassiliadis’ team has come up empty-handed in its last three matches, all against top six opponents. But this week the Sharks have a chance to get back on the winners list, travelling to Epping Stadium to take on a struggling Melbourne Victory. A win for the Sharks is vital if it is to launch a challenge for the top six.
Top meets bottom in a Sunday Greek derby when South Melbourne hosts Northcote City. Goran Lozanovski’s team celebrated just its second win of the season last week against the Victory and now sits just three points shy of the play-off spot. South knows Bentleigh is breathing down its neck and will be determined to follow last Wednesday’s FFA Cup win over North Geelong with a win in the league.
In NPL 2 E, Kingston City strengthened its grip on second place with a vital win over Box Hill United last weekend. This Sunday City travels to sixth-placed Ballarat Red Devils in a cross conference match whilst Brunswick City travels to eighth-placed Werribee City. Preceding those matches, Box Hill United plays third-placed Moreland Zebras away on the Saturday.
In Round 10 State League NW1 action on Saturday, Yarraville hosts Western Suburbs in the derby, while a struggling Altona East Phoenix has the tough job of hosting undefeated league leader Altona Magic.
Another derby features in SE 1 when fifth-placed FC Clifton Hill hosts Malvern City, which holds on to second spot despite a second loss last week. South Springvale can expect a tough test when it hosts third-placed Casey Comets.
Meanwhile, in State League 5 E, Monash City is home to bottom side Lilydale Eagles this Saturday after last week, when City finished on top of Healesville SC with a 4-2 win to grab top spot on the table.