After tucking into Easter tsoureki, lamb chops, and magiritsa, the players of Melbourne’s Greek Australian clubs returned to the State Leagues with a bang. The latest round delivered drama, goals, and heartbreak in equal measure.
State League 1 – North-West Group
It was a weekend to forget for the Greek Australian sides in the North-West. The misery began on Friday night (25 April) when Westvale Olympic fell 2-1 away to Keilor Park. The loss left the squad deflated as they gear up to face Ballarat City this weekend.
Doxa Yarraville’s trip to Ballarat was equally grim, with the hosts running out 4-2 winners. The two-hour drive back to Melbourne was a long one for the historic club, who now face a tricky home clash against a buoyant Keilor Park.
Clifton Hill suffered a painful 0-2 home defeat to Banyule City. The hosts were off the pace, struggling to find rhythm, and paid the price. This weekend, the “Blues” head to Ardeer Reserve to take on Westgate.
Panellinios, however, gave fans a match to remember. Their 3-3 draw against Westgate was a rollercoaster, packed with end-to-end action. Next up, Western Suburbs face Brimbank Stallions.
State League 1 – South-East Group
The Greek Australian clubs in the South-East were in scintillating form. Aris powered to a 1-2 away win at Doveton, shaking off their sluggish start to the season. The “Yellow and Blacks” now travel to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to face Collingwood.
Malvern City put on a masterclass, storming to a 1-4 victory at Mazenod. The result sent waves of pride through the club’s supporters. This week, they’re on the road again, taking on Beaumaris.
Bayside Argonauts also bagged a crucial 1-2 win at Old Scotch, lifting them off the bottom of the table. They’ll look to build on that when they visit Mazenod this weekend.
State League 2 – North-West Group
It was a bitter pill to swallow for PAOK and Mill Park. The “Double-Headed Eagle” fell 2-1 at Albion Rovers, while the “Pigeons” were edged out 1-0 by Western Eagles. The two Greek Australian sides now face off in a blockbuster derby on Friday at 8.30pm – a clash that’s sure to stir memories for older fans and ignite passion among the younger ones.
State League 2 – South-East Group
Chisholm United continued their fine run, seeing off Berwick City 2-1. The Oakleigh-based side are now just three points off the top and travel to Frankston this weekend to face the dangerous Peninsula Strikers.
Bentleigh United Cobras already made a winning trip to Frankston, grinding out a 0-1 victory over the Strikers. This weekend, they head to Mooroolbark for another tough test.
State League 3 – South-East Group
AEK Waverley played out a dour 1-1 draw with Croydon City. Chances were scarce, with the action largely confined to a midfield slog. The “Yellow and Blacks” face another away day this weekend, taking on third-placed Hampton Park United Sparrows.
State League 4 – East Group
East Kew’s Olympiacos slumped to a second straight defeat, losing 3-1 to Ringwood City. The “Red and Whites” dropped to sixth and will look to bounce back when they host Riversdale.
State League 4 – North Group
AEK Keon Park were in top form, dispatching Moreland United 2-0. The “Yellow and Blacks” hit the heights of last season’s dominant displays and now welcome Heidelberg Stars.
Apollon Darebin fell 2-1 to Moonee Ponds but return home this weekend to face Moonee Valley Knights.
The match of the round came between Melbourne Uni and West Preston. A 5-4 thriller left the “Greens” disappointed but kept fans on the edge of their seats. West Preston host Moreland United next.
Full Match Details for Greek Australian Clubs
State League 1 – North-West Group
Round 5 Results
Keilor Park – Westvale Olympic 2-1
Clifton Hill – Banyule City 0-2
Western Suburbs – Westgate 3-3
Ballarat City – Yarraville 4-2
Round 6 Fixtures
Friday May 2
Westgate – Clifton Hill 8.30pm
Yarraville – Keilor Park 8.30pm
Saturday May 3
Westvale Olympic – Ballarat City 3pm
Western Suburbs – Brimbank Stallions 3pm
Standings
1. Ballarat 5 12
2. Keilor Park 5 9
3. Sydenham 5 8
4. Upfield 5 8
5. Westgate 5 7
6. Banyule 5 7
7. Western Suburbs 5 6
8. Yarraville 5 4
9. Clifton Hill 3 4
10. Brimbank 5 4
11. Westvale Olympic 5 3
12. Corio 5 2
State League 1 – South-East Group
Round 5 Results
Mazenod – Malvern City 1-4
Old Scotch – Bayside Argonauts 1-2
Doveton – South Springvale 1-2
Round 6 Fixtures
Friday May 2
Collingwood – South Springvale, 8.30pm
Saturday May 3
Beaumaris – Malvern City 3pm
Mazenod – Bayside Argonauts 3pm
Standings
1. South Springvale 5 12
2. Hampton East 5 12
3. Mornington 5 12
4. Malvern 5 7
5. Doveton 5 7
6. Collingwood 5 7
7. Old Scotch 4 6
8. Gippsland 5 6
9. Bayside Argonauts 4 5
10. Beaumaris 4 3
11. Mazenod 5 3
12. Brandon Park 4 1
State League 2 – North-West Group
Round 5 Results
Albion Rovers – Altona East 2-1
Western Eagles – Mill Park 1-0
Round 6 Fixtures
Friday May 2
Altona East Phoenix – Mill Park 8.30pm
Standings
1. Lalor 5 15
2. Altona East 5 12
3. Albion 5 11
4. Williamstown 5 10
5. Mill Park 5 9
6. Craigieburn 5 7
7. Whittlesea 4 6
8. Western Eagles 5 6
9. Uni Hill 5 5
10. Dallas 4 1
11. Geelong 5 1
12. Strathmore 5 0
State League 2 – South-East Group
Round 5 Results
Chisholm United – Berwick City 2-1
Peninsula Strikers – Bentleigh United Cobras 0-1
Round 6 Fixtures
Saturday May 3
Peninsula Strikers – Chisholm United 3pm
Mooroolbark – Bentleigh United Cobras 3pm
Standings
1. Sky 5 12
2. Knox 5 11
3. Mooroolbark 5 10
4. Chisholm 4 9
5. Peninsula 5 7
6. St Kilda 5 7
7. Berwick 5 7
8. Casey 5 7
9. Cobras 5 5
10. North Caulfield 5 4
11. Noble Park 4 3
12. Doncaster 5 0
State League 3 – South-East Group
Round 5 Results
Croydon City – Waverley Wanderers 2-2
Round 6 Fixtures
Saturday May 3
Hampton Park United Sparrows – Waverley Wanderers 3pm
Standings
1. Dandenong South 5 15
2. Elwood 5 12
3. Hampton Park United 5 10
4. Middle Park 5 9
5. Heatherton United 5 7
6. Sandringham 5 6
7. Rowville Eagles 5 5
8. Croydon 5 5
9. Waverley Wanderers 4 4
10. Ashburton 5 4
11. Greater Dandenong 4 2
12. White Star 5 1
State League 4 – East Group
Round 5 Results
Ringwood City – East Kew 3-1
Round 6 Fixtures
Saturday May 3
East Kew – Riversdale 3pm
Standings
1. Kings Domain 5 12
2. Riversdale 5 12
3. Manningham Juv. 5 12
4. Ringwood 5 12
5. Albert Park 5 10
6. East Kew 5 9
7. Mount Waverley 5 7
8. Docklands 5 4
9. Monash City Villar. 5 4
10. Yarra Jets 5 2
11. Monbulk 5 2
12. Knox 5 0
State League 4 – North Group
Round 5 Results
Keon Park – Moreland United 2-0
Moonee Ponds United – Darebin United 2-1
Melbourne University – West Preston 5-4
Round 6 Fixtures
Friday May 2
Keon Park – Heidelberg Stars 8.30pm
Saturday May 3
Darebin United – Moonee Valley Knights 3pm
West Preston – Moreland United 5pm
Standings
1. Melbourne Uni 5 13
2. Watsonia Heights 5 12
3. Moonee Valley 5 11
4. Moonee Ponds 5 10
5. Keon Park 5 9
6. Fawkner 5 7
7. West Preston 5 7
8. Darebin 5 7
9. Stars 5 7
10. Thornbury 5 3
11. Moreland 5 0
12. Glenroy Lions 5 0
