Oakleigh Cannons – Heidelberg United
Last year’s champions, the Oakleigh Cannons, put on a great performance on Friday night. With Valentini and Guest leading the way, demolishing Heidelberg United 5-1.
The home team left no room for a reaction from the yellow and black after they entered the match furiously, opening the score in just the first minute with Stefano Valentini.
Chris Taylor’s side’s left winger, who appeared to be in a demonic state, was the one to double the Blues’ lead with a long-range shot in the 27th minute.
In the 33rd minute, it was time for captain Guest to add his name to the list of scorers. The 29-year-old midfielder took the ball about ten metres away from the opponent’s goal and, with a masterful left-footed shot, increased the score to 3-0. This was the result with which the 22 footballers went to the dressing room for the break.
In the second half, the guests showed that they wanted to put up some resistance; they reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute with Ashton, but it was Valentini again who in the 83rd minute dashed any hopes of the “yellow and blacks” by scoring for the third time in the same match.
Alex Salmon scored the final 5-1 in the 88th minute, giving the home team a great victory.
Port Melbourne – Green Gully
Port Melbourne Sharks suffered a tough home defeat against Green Gully. Although they started the match with the best of signs, opening the score in just the fifth minute with Luca Tevere, they succumbed to the pressure of the Greens and ultimately left their field defeated with a 1-3 scoreline.
Bonada levelled the match in the 55th minute, while the “bionic” Koudakpo was the one who sealed the triumph for his team with two personal goals, the first in the 62nd minute and the second in the 78th minute.
This was a very bitter defeat for the Harbour Club, as it saw the Melbourne Knights slip away in the standings by a full seven points, while at the same time feeling the breath of Green Gully, who moved closer to them by three points.
Bentleigh Greens – Melbourne Knights
Bentleigh Greens suffered yet another defeat at their home ground, which does not bode well for escaping the nightmare of possible relegation.
The home team managed to resist the advances of the “Croats” in the first half, demonstrating that they could get something positive from the match. However, in the end, their dreams were shattered when Mohammed Sumaoro sent the ball into the depths of the “green” nets in a beautiful way, making the score 0-1 for the opposing team in the 59th minute.
The score stayed the same until the referee blew the final whistle, sending the few supporters of the home team onto the pitch to go home, once again, with their heads down.
NPL2
The winner of the great Greek derby of NPL2 was Kingston City. The “Red and Whites” went through Northcote with relative ease, with a score of 1-3. With this victory, Kingston came within one point of Preston Lions, who drew 2-2 against the youngsters of Western United.
Brunswick City achieved a great away victory, beating Melbourne City’s youngsters 1-2.
NPL3
Box Hill United had a huge home win against a tough North Sunshine. Pythagoras played some beautiful layered football, circulating the ball well, and they left the field with the scoreboard showing 2-0.
State Leagues
We had a goalless draw at the Yarraville Stadium. The Greek team welcomed Sydenham Park in a tasteless game which will be quickly forgotten by the supporters of both teams.
Aris lost 0-1 to Mornington at home, whereas Malvern easily won 2-1 against Gippsland United.
NPL – Results
Port Melbourne Sharks – Green Gully 1 – 3 (5′ L. Tevere – 55′ N. Bonada, 62′ A. Koudakpo, 78′ A. Koudakpo)
Oakleigh Cannons – Heidelberg United 5 – 1 (1′ S. Valentini, 27′ S. Valentini, 33, J. Guest, 83′ S. Valentini, 87′ A. Salmon – 63′ E. Ashton)
Avondale – North Geelong Warriors 3 – 0 (10′ Y. Ahmed [P], 35′ L. Diaz, 52′ Y. Ahmed)
Bentleigh Greens – Melbourne Knights 0 – 1 (59′ M. Sumaoro)
Altona Magic – Moreland 3 – 1 (7′ J. Markovski, 30′ M. Gamo, 77′ J. Markovski – 39′ K. Arob)
St Albans Saints – Hume City 3 – 0 (63′ M. Zwad, 87′ D. Fabrizio, 87′ G. Ott)
South Melbourne – Dandenong Thunder ABD
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 17 46
2. South Melbourne 16 43
3. Oakleigh Cannons 17 39
4. Melbourne Knights 17 34
5. Port Melbourne 17 27
6. Green Gully 17 24
7. Altona Magic 17 23
8. Dandenong Thunder 16 22
9. Heidelberg United 17 19
10. Hume City 17 17
11. St Albans Saints 17 16
12. Moreland City 17 12
13. Bentleigh Greens 17 9
14. North Geelong 17 7
NPL2 – Results
Dandenong City – Werribee City 1 – 0
Langwarrin – Eastern Lions 2 – 3
Preston Lions – Western United (Y) 2 – 2
Brunswick Juventus – Bulleen Lions 0 – 1
Northcote City – Kingston City 1 – 3
Melbourne City (Y) – Brunswick City 1 – 2
Manningham United Blues – Pascoe Vale 4 – 0
NPL2 – Table
1. Preston Lions 17 31
2. Kingston City 17 30
3. Dandenong 17 29
4. Western United (Y) 17 28
5. Eastern Lions 17 28
6. Manningham 17 26
7. Werribee 17 23
8. Northcote City 17 23
9. Brunswick City 17 23
10. Melbourne City (Y) 17 22
11. Langwarrin 17 22
12. Pascoe Vale 17 20
13. Bulleen 17 19
14. Brunswick Juventus 17 17
NPL3 – Results
Box Hill United –North Sunshine Eagles 2 – 0
Essendon Royals –Nunawading 2 – 2
Beaumaris – Goulburn Valley Suns 2 – 2
Boroondara Carey Eagles –Caroline Springs George Cross 2 – 3
Geelong -Ballarat City 1 – 1
Melbourne Victory (Y) – Doveton 5 – 0
NPL3 – Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 13 31
2. Nunawading 13 25
3. Caroline Springs 13 25
4. Goulburn Suns 13 24
5. North Sunshine 13 22
6. Doveton 13 19
7. Boroondara 13 17
8. Geelong 13 15
9. Beaumaris 13 15
10. Box Hill 13 14
11. Essendon 13 13
12. Ballarat 13 2
