The NPL Championship is in full swing. Every week brings matches of great intensity, games of immense importance that drastically alter the landscape of the standings.
Bentleigh Greens – South Melbourne
The first of two derbies of parochial interest is between Bentleigh and South Melbourne. The hosts are coming off a home defeat against Oakleigh, which luckily did not cost them too much as Moreland and North Geelong failed to win their respective matches. The Greens are aware that every point is worth its weight in gold and, with that in mind, they will be expected to take to the pitch against South Melbourne.
The guests are not in a good mood. Anyone watching the historic club’s games will have noticed that in recent weeks they have been exhibiting a certain goal-scoring difficulty and a numb way of moving the ball, which first translated into a home derby defeat against the Cannons and a week later in the draw against Hume, which eventually pushed them out of the top two. Esteban Quintas knows better than anyone the importance of the match against the Greens and it remains to be seen whether last year’s Grand Final finalists can get back on the winning path they have so successfully charted since the start of the season.
Port Melbourne – Oakleigh Cannons
This weekend, Port Melbourne will host an exciting game between two teams in excellent competitive and psychological condition who only seem to be looking upwards. The hosts have closed the gap with the Knights and are now only one point behind them, while the visitors have already leapfrogged Greece in the table and have their sights set on Avondale.
Port Melbourne easily got past St Albans the previous matchday and are in top form, expected to protect their defensive line and create dangers for their opponent. The “blue and red” will give everything to put a brake on the uncontrollable course of last year’s champions.
Chris Taylor has been in seventh heaven in recent weeks, watching his players faithfully follow the systems and tactical instructions he presents them in training. He is likely to field the same line-up that he fielded against Bentleigh against the “Sharks”.
The Oakleigh side’s distance to the coveted summit has shortened dramatically, turning every match from now on into a final.
Avondale – Heidelberg United
This week, Heidelberg takes on a huge challenge as they welcome Avondale to John Cain Memorial Park. Sitting twelve points away from the top six of the league, the “Yellow and Black” must start winning matches if they are to keep their mathematical chances alive.
Last week, they suffered a tough loss against the Magic, but they have a chance to turn it around against the “Italians”. A victory can potentially change the psychology of the entire “Yellow and Black” organisation, making this match the perfect opportunity for a big impact.
NPL2
This year’s NPL2 is breaking hearts and no one can predict the final ranking of the teams in the leaderboard.
Kingston City is stealing the limelight with their historic performance and this week they face one of the most serious rivals for promotion, Preston Lions. Northcote has a chance to pocket the three points of victory and maybe one or two of their rivals in the standings this week as they face the bottom of the standings, Pascoe Vale, away from home. Brunswick, also at the bottom of the standings, hosts Bulleen Lions this weekend in a match that could dramatically change Leonidas’ standings.
NPL3
This weekend, Box Hill United will welcome Beaumaris in a tough match as the “blue and white” club strives to move closer to the top six of the standings.
State League
Keilor Park welcomes Yarraville, with the minds of the people of the “Greek” club firmly set on victory.
Malvern travels to Cranbourne this weekend to take on the formidable Comets. Aris is expected to have an easier task, as they will host the relatively weak Collingwood this year.
NPL – Schedule
Saturday 15/07
Heidelberg United – Avondale 15:00
Bentleigh Greens – South Melbourne 15:00
Port Melbourne Sharks – Oakleigh Cannons 17:30
Hume City – Green Gully 18:30
Dandenong Thunder – North Geelong Warriors 19:15
Sunday 16/07
St Albans – Altona Magic 15:00
Melbourne Knights – Moreland 16:00
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 21 56
2. Oakleigh Cannons 21 51
3. South Melbourne 20 50
4. Melbourne Knights 21 38
5. Port Melbourne 21 37
6. Altona Magic 21 32
7. Green Gully 21 31
8. Dandenong Thunder 21 24
9. Hume City 21 21
10. Heidelberg United 20 20
11. St Albans Saints 21 16
12. Bentleigh Greens 21 14
13. Moreland City 21 13
14. North Geelong 21 13
NPL2 – Schedule
Friday 14/07
Dandenong City – Brunswick Juventus 19:45
Pascoe Vale – Northcote City 20:15
Preston Lions – Kingston City 20:30
Saturday 15/07
Brunswick City – Bulleen Lions 15:00
Eastern Lions v Werribee 15:00
Manningham United Blues – Melbourne City (Y) 15:00
Sunday 16/07
Western United (Y) – Langwarrin 15:00
NPL2 – Table
1. Kingston City 21 37
2. Dandenong 21 36
3. Western United (Y) 21 35
4. Preston Lions 21 35
5. Manningham 21 32
6. Eastern Lions 20 30
7. Melbourne City (Y) 21 29
8. Langwarrin 21 29
9. Northcote City 20 27
10. Bulleen 21 26
11. Werribee 21 26
12. Brunswick Juventus 21 25
13. Brunswick City 21 23
14. Pascoe Vale 21 23
NPL3 – Schedule
Friday 14/07
Box Hill United v Beaumaris 19:30
Essendon Royals – Doveton 20:15
North Sunshine Eagles – Melbourne Victory (Y) 20:30
Saturday 15/07
Nunawading – Geelong 14:00
Caroline Springs George Cross -Goulburn Valley Suns 17:30
Sunday 16/07
Ballarat City -Boroondara Carey Eagles 14:00
NPL3 – Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 17 38
2. Caroline Springs 16 34
3. Goulburn Suns 17 31
4. Nunawading 16 28
5. North Sunshine 17 28
6. Boroondara 17 26
7. Doveton 17 23
8. Box Hill 17 18
9. Beaumaris 17 18
10. Essendon 17 17
11. Geelong 17 16
12. Ballarat 17 11
