Bentleigh being the exception, the “Greek” clubs have painted the NPL Championship blue and white by playing beautiful yet effective football.
This weekend, we saw the “Hellenic” teams dominating against strong opponents in matches of great importance, full of tension and intense duels.
South Melbourne – Melbourne Knights
The Melbourne Knights, who had drawn against the Cannons the previous weekend, presented South Melbourne with a formidable challenge as they travelled away from home to face one of the strongest teams in the division.
The visitors took control of the game from the first minute, displayed their football skills on the pitch, and finally managed to take the lead seconds before the end of the first half with a beautiful long shot by Jack Painter-Andrews.
The “Croats” came out determined for the second half, managing to level the match in the 51st minute after a beautiful individual effort and flawless execution from Gevaro Nepomuceno.
But South Melbourne did not give up, and with Ajak Riak as the protagonist, they managed to get back in front of the score in the 54th minute and finally leave the field with the three points in their possession.
It was a hugely important win for Hellas, who still share the top of the table with this year’s excellent Avondale, who cruised to a 0-1 victory against Hume City.
Oakleigh Cannons – Dandenong Thunder
The third-ranked Cannons achieved a big home win against the ever-challenging Dandenong Thunder with a score of 2-1. The home team’s captain and natural leader on the pitch, Joe Guest, opened the scoring in the 49th minute.
The visitors did not appear ready to give up, and after a well-executed attack, they managed to equalize the score at 1-1 through Grad Damen in the 62nd minute.
From then on, the “Greek” team drastically improved their performance, demonstrating that they were determined to achieve only one result: victory. This victory eventually came thanks to a well-executed penalty kick by Alex Salmon in the 69th minute, which was won by “Blues” captain Joe Guest.
Moreland City – Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne stormed through Moreland’s home. The “Sharks” entered the field with an obvious desire to take control of the game from the first minute, showing incredible offensive pluralism, and scoring five goals. They left the field with three points and their luggage full of dreams for the difficult continuation of the championship.
Anthony Ianchello kicked off the scoring in the 10th minute, and set the tone for the port side’s performance. 0-2 came shortly after, as George Mells showed his outstanding individual skill and technique by weaving through any and all opponents in his way. His perfect pass to Dor Jok at the right moment gave the latter no difficulty in scoring his first of the night from a very close range.
It was assist man, Mells who scored a penalty in the 44th minute, making it 3-0.
From there, action was taken by Dor Jok, who scored two more goals, completing a hat trick, ensuring victory for his team and the three points that keep them just four points away from the Knights and fourth place in the table.
Heidelberg United – St Albans Saints
Heidelberg United is well on its way. The historic Alexandros, who celebrated his 65th birthday with a memorable gala on Saturday night, defeated St Albans a day earlier with a score of 3-0.
Adrian Zahra’s beautiful long shot in the 30th minute opened the scoring for the “Yellow and Black”, leaving no time for the visitor’s goalkeeper to react.
Kaine Sheppard stunned Heidelberg’s fans when he scored a goal in the 70th minute, causing them to leap out of their seats and erupt into cheers. The skilful midfielder picked up the ball in the corner of the box and took an unlikely shot that first hit the crossbar before going into the back of the away team’s goal, making the score 2-0.
Coach Katsaki’s players were on a mission to win, and their hard work paid off in the 73rd minute when Eoin Ashton scored a close-range shot to secure the third goal of the match.
The players’ determination and drive to succeed were evident – they never gave up and pushed until the very end – and their victory was well deserved. Every player had a part to play and the success of the team was the result of their collective efforts.
Coach Katsakis can be proud of the team’s performance and their commitment to reaching their goal.
Green Gully – Bentleigh Greens
Bentleigh Greens have been unable to find a remedy for the poor image they have been displaying this year. The “Cypriot” club began the match against Green Gully with a promising start, as they took the lead in the 18th minute through Lucas Derrick, but eventually left the field, once again, with their heads hung low.
The hosts equalised in the 41st minute through Adolph Koudakpo, took the lead in the 64th minute through Pierce Waring’s penalty, and sealed the victory with Tyler Vecchio’s goal in the 85th minute.
The “Greens” yet again suffered a disappointing night in this year’s dismal run, and they seem unable to reverse their team’s fortune.
The NPL2
We had a thrilling match on Friday night between Kingston City and Werribee with a final score of 3-3. The two teams gave their all on the pitch, fiercely fought for the win, scored a total of six goals but ultimately left the field with a draw, not only in terms of the score but also in terms of the impressions.
Juventus inflicted a painful 1-2 defeat on Northcote at home, thus costing the hosts their chance of entering the top five of the table.
Equally disappointing was Brunswick City’s performance in their home defeat of 1-2 against Manningham, which resulted in the “Greek” team’s relegation to eleventh place in the standings.
The NPL3
Box Hill United sadly trudged out of their stadium after suffering a 1-2 defeat to Caroline Springs George Cross.
The State Leagues
Yarraville suffered a home defeat on Friday night against Banyule City with a scoreline of 2-3 in the State League North West Group.
It was a challenging weekend for the South East group’s two “Greek” teams. Aris hosted Eltham Redbacks in an exciting 1-1 draw, while Malvern had the same result against Bentleigh United.
NPL – RESULTS
Melbourne Knights – South Melbourne 1 – 2 (85′ M. Hore – 45+2′ J. Painter – Andrews, 54′ A. Riak)
Green Gully – Bentleigh Greens 3 – 1 (41′ A. Koudakpo, 64′ P. Waring [P], 85′ T. Vecchio – 18′ L. Derrick)
Oakleigh Cannons – Dandenong Thunder 2 – 1 (49′ J. Guest, 69′ A. Salmon [P] – 62′ G. Damen)
Heidelberg United – St Albans Saints 3 – 0 (30′ A. Zahra, 70′ K. Sheppard, 73′ E. Ashton)
Moreland – Port Melbourne Sharks 0 – 5 (10′ A. Ianchello, 38′ D. Jok, 44′ G. Mells [P], 63′ D. Jok, 69′ D. Jok [P])
North Geelong Warriors – Altona Magic 0 – 5 (8′ J. Markovski, 42′ T. Semmy, 73′ T. Semmy, 87′ R. Harding, 90′ R. Harding)
Hume City – Avondale 0 – 1 (34′ Y. Towns)
NPL – TABLE
1. Avondale 16 43
2. South Melbourne 16 43
3. Oakleigh Cannons 16 36
4. Melbourne Knights 16 31
5. Port Melbourne 16 27
6. Dandenong Thunder 16 22
7. Green Gully 16 21
8. Altona Magic 16 20
9. Heidelberg United 16 19
10. Hume City 16 17
11. St Albans Saints 16 13
12. Moreland City 16 12
13. Bentleigh Greens 16 9
14. North Geelong 16 7
NPL2 – RESULTS
Pascoe Vale – Western United (Y) 3 – 2
Kingston City – Werribee City 3 – 3
Preston Lions – Dandenong City 2 – 1
Northcote City – Brunswick Juventus 1 – 2
Brunswick City – Manningham United Blues 1 – 2
Eastern Lions – Melbourne City (Y) 1 – 2
Langwarrin – Bulleen Lions 0 – 3
NPL2 – TABLE
1. Preston Lions 16 30
2. Western United (Y) 16 27
3. Kingston City 16 27
4. Dandenong 16 26
5. Eastern Lions 16 25
6. Werribee 16 23
7. Northcote City 16 23
8. Manningham 16 23
9. Melbourne City (Y) 16 2
10. Langwarrin 16 22
11. Brunswick City 16 20
12. Pascoe Vale 16 17
13. Bulleen 16 19
14. Brunswick Juventus 16 14
NPL3 – RESULTS
Box Hill United -Caroline Springs George Cross 1 – 2
Essendon Royals – North Sunshine Eagles 1 – 0
Ballarat City –Nunawading 1 – 5
Beaumaris – Melbourne Victory (Y) 0 – 4
Doveton – Geelong 2 – 1
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Goulburn Valley Suns 1 – 2
NPL3 – TABLE
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 12 28
2. Nunawading 12 24
3. Goulburn Suns 12 23
4. North Sunshine 12 22
5. Caroline Springs 12 22
6. Doveton 12 19
7. Boroondara 12 17
8. Geelong 12 14
9. Beaumaris 12 14
10. Essendon 12 12
11. Box Hill 12 11
12. Ballarat 12 1