After last Sunday’s 2-nil away loss in the local derby to Heideleberg United, Northcote City travels to Knights stadium on Saturday for a crucial six-pointer against another side battling for survival, Avondale.
Just six points separate the two sides, with 13th-placed Northcote desperate to make up ground on 11th-placed Avondale. Expect both teams to go for the win in a game which could be a nail-biter for the fans of both teams.
Last weekend Avondale were blasted off the park by Oakleigh Cannons to the tune of 6-nil, with Bosnjak, Piemonte and Hatzimouratis helping themselves to a brace of goals each. The win was the first in a series of three matches from which joint coach Peter Tsolakis is hoping to get maximum points to consolidate the Cannons’ spot in the top six.
On Friday night the Cannons host bottom team Melbourne Victory, and on Tuesday the Cannons travel to Kevin Bartlett reserve to take on 12th-placed Richmond in a catch-up game. It will be a game Northcote City will be following with a keen interest.
Two Hellenic derbies took place last night, the results of which were unavailable at the time of going to print. Bentleigh Greens hosted a suspension-hit South Melbourne in a battle for top spot, while third-placed Heidelberg visited Port Melbourne, hoping to close the gap on second spot.
In Rd 20 NPL 2 East action on Saturday Kingston City will hope to arrest a mini form slump and get back to winning ways, but won’t find it easy away to a talented and youthful Springvale White Eagles in a local derby. City is in second spot on the table, 10 points ahead of Dandenong City but trailing top team Thunder by six points.
The same afternoon, fifth- placed Box Hill United host eighth-placed Eastern Lions, while Brunswick City travels to bottom-placed Nunawading City tomorrow after coming from behind to defeat White Eagles at home last week.
State Leagues resume this week after last weekend’s catch up round. In Rd 14 NW 1 action, Altona East Phoenix faces a tough task away to fourth-placed Sydenham Park today, Yarraville will be hoping for a win away to bottom of the table Diamond Valley United and tomorrow, Western Suburbs will be hoping to pick up all three points when it hosts a struggling Cairlea FC.
In SE 1, South Springvale has a difficult road trip away to league leader Mornington while fourth-placed Malvern City hosts Morwell Pegasus today. FC Clifton Hill hosts Langwarrin in a mid-table clash.
In 2 SE, third-placed Caulfield United Cobras faces a tough game away to fourth-placed Beaumaris as the Cobras try to bridge the gap to second spot.