Get ready for an action-packed weekend of real football and intense rivalries with much excitement and drama.
Three full days of matches that can change the balance of the NPL championship. The “Greek-Italian” battle between Avondale and Oakleigh Cannons stands out from the weekend’s schedule.
Both teams are in excellent form, going from win to win – something that adds even more value to Saturday’s match.
The hosts are on an incredible run this year, with nine wins and one draw under their belt – an impressive feat. The visitors have been no slouches either, managing to stay competitive despite the absences of key players. Now that they have found their rhythm, it looks like we’re in for an exciting derby with the same level of intensity that both teams have displayed this season. Let’s hope for an entertaining match.
Just nine kilometres to the south and two and a half hours later, another battle will begin, this time a civil one, as Port Melbourne will welcome Bentleigh Greens. The hosts suffered a heavy defeat last Monday against South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium going down 5-2 and see this match as an opportunity to make amends and get back on the path of victory.
The guests are also in high spirits. The arrival of their new coach has given the players a boost, creating healthy competition between them, which has resulted in a change in their competitive image and the acquisition of victories that a few weeks ago would have seemed impossible. A good example of this is the three points they won last week at home against Hume City.
South Melbourne will host the formidable Altona Magic for their second consecutive home match. The Greeks’ team showed great strength in their previous game against the Port Melbourne Sharks. Esteban Quintas’ players showed tremendous commitment to the way their manager approached this particular match, fighting with passion and selflessness, resulting in a victorious and enjoyable afternoon full of goals and football spectacle. It was a beautiful performance from the “Blues” that came at the right time, giving the club the push it needed to look to the immediate future with more faith and optimism.
Heidelberg will have another opportunity to get back on the road to success this weekend. George Katsakis’ team is eagerly looking for the restart button and the way back to the path of positive results. The home side failed to defeat North Geelong last weekend, being held to a 1-1 draw, which created some grumbling and concern in the stands at Olympic Park. However, this concern does not seem to be shared by the experienced coach of the home team, who believes that the change in the competitive image of his team is simply a matter of time.
NPL 2
The weekend promises to be extremely difficult for the “Greek” teams of NPL2. On Saturday (29/4) afternoon, Kingston City will welcome to their stadium one of the best teams in the division, the youngsters of Western United. The match is expected to be tight and with few goals. The home team will have to show patience and regular adherence to the Tsolakis – Tagalakis plan in order to break the block of the most effective defence in the category. You see, the “Green and Black” have conceded just eight goals in ten matches.
Northcote’s task this weekend should not be considered easy, as they welcome Dandenong City. Brunswick City faces a perilous outing as they travel to Werribee to face the local club who always show extra passion when playing at home, making it difficult for the visiting teams.
NPL3
Box Hill United will attempt to move away from the lower tiers of the table this week. Pythagoras will face Beaumaris away from home, in a match which presents an opportunity for the “Greek” team to take a step towards a more positive season than the one they are currently experiencing.
State League
Looking to continue their good run in the State League’s North West Group this weekend, Yarraville travels to Keilor Park to face the local club. The “Greek” club is in fifth place in the standings, just five points away from the top of the table.
The “Greek” teams of the Southeast group of the category are doing an excellent job this year. This weekend, Malvern, who are second-placed, will welcome Casey Comets while Aris will travel to the outskirts of the city to face Collingwood.
THE NPL PROGRAM
Friday 28 April
Green Gully – Dandenong Thunder 20:00
Heidelberg United – Moreland City 20:30
Saturday 29 April
Avondale v Oakleigh Cannons 15:00
North Geelong Warriors – St Albans Saints 15:00
Port Melbourne Sharks – Bentleigh Greens 17:30
Sunday 30 April
Melbourne Knights – Hume City 16:00
South Melbourne – Altona Magic 16:00
NPL – TABLE
1. Avondale 10 28
2. South Melbourne 10 25
3. Oakleigh Cannons 10 23
4. Melbourne Knights 10 20
5. Green Gully 10 15
6. Altona Magic 10 14
7. Hume City 10 13
8. Dandenong Thunder 10 13
9. Port Melbourne 10 12
10. Heidelberg United 10 9
11. Moreland City 10 8
12. St Albans Saints 10 7
13. Bentleigh Greens 10 6
14. North Geelong 10 4
THE NPL2 PROGRAM
Friday 28 April
Werribee City – Brunswick City 20:15
Brunswick Juventus – Manningham United Blues 20:30
Northcote City – Dandenong City 20:30
Saturday 29.04
Eastern Lions – Pascoe Vale 15:00
Langwarrin v Melbourne City (Y) 15:00
Kingston City – Western United (Y) – 16:00
Monday 01.05
Bulleen Lions v Preston Lions 20:15
NPL2 – TABLE
1. Preston Lions 10 21
2. Western United (Y) 10 21
3. Dandenong 10 17
4. Kingston City 10 17
5. Pascoe Vale 10 17
6. Langwarrin 10 16
7. Manningham 10 15
8. Eastern Lions 10 15
9. Northcote City 10 13
10. Werribee 10 12
11. Brunswick City 10 11
12. Bulleen 10 10
13. Brunswick Juventus 10 7
14. Melbourne City (Y) 10 7
THE NPL3 PROGRAM
Saturday 29 April
Beaumaris – Box Hill United 15:00
Goulburn Valley Suns – Caroline Springs George Cross 15:00
Doveton v Essendon Royals 15:00
Boroondara Eagles – Ballarat City 15:00
Geelong – Nunawading 16:00
Sunday 30.04
Melbourne Victory (Y) – North Sunshine Eagles 15:00
NPL3 – TABLE
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 6 16
2. North Sunshine 6 15
3. Nunawading 6 12
4. Geelong 6 10
5. Goulburn Suns 6 10
6. Boroondara 6 9
7. Beaumaris 6 8
8. Caroline Springs 6 7
9. Doveton 6 7
10. Box Hill 6 4
11. Essendon 6 4
12. Ballarat 6 1
