Round 19 of this year’s NPL Championship is here and promises to be full of intense matches, and another “Greek” derby.
Heidelberg United – South Melbourne
Heidelberg United will host South Melbourne on Friday evening (16/06) for their second consecutive “Greek” derby. Last week, the “yellow and black” suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to the Cannons, and coach Katsakis is now focusing on improving the defensive function of his team. On the other hand, the South Melbourne side is determined to win and stay at the top of the table until the end of the season.
Oakleigh Cannons – St Albans Saints
Last year’s champions, the Cannons, will welcome Tough St Albans to their home on Saturday (17/06). Chris Taylor’s players have been playing beautiful yet highly effective football and are hoping for some South Melbourne and Avondale slip-ups. Last week, the home team showed their strength on the pitch, defeating Heidelberg United 5-1 in a match that only resembled a derby. It will be interesting to see if Oakleigh can keep up the frenetic pace they have been playing in recent weeks..
Melbourne Knights – Port Melbourne Sharks
This weekend, the fifth-placed Sharks face a great challenge as they travel away from home to battle the fourth-placed Melbourne Knights, who have seven points more than the “Greek” team. After suffering a poor home result against Green Gully (1–3), the Reds and Blues are determined to get back on the path of success and stay in the top six of the league by giving it their all on the pitch.
Dandenong Thunder – Bentleigh Greens
This week, the “Greens» face yet another daunting mission when they travel to Dandenong to take on the ever-present local Thunder. Since the start of the season, the margins have dangerously narrowed for the “Greens,” who must find a way to reverse their negative competitive image if they are to avert the nightmare of relegation.
NPL2
This week, Kingston, currently in second place, will be travelling to Bulleen for their NPL2 match against the “Lions”. Northcote City will be welcoming Werribee to their home ground, and Brunswick City will be making the south-east trip to Langwarrin to face the local club.
NPL3
Box Hill’s task this week is expected to be extremely difficult as they face one of the strongest teams in the division, Nunawading City. Pythagoras is coming off a big home win against North Geelong and should be considered a certainty to take to the pitch with the aim of surprising their opposition and hoping to get something positive out of the match.
The State Leagues
Yarraville will face Upfield on Matchday 13 of the North West Group this weekend. Malvern will host Springvale White Eagles, while Aris will travel to Bentleigh to take on the Cobras, in difficult tasks for the teams of the Southeast Group.
NPL Round 18
Friday 16/06
Melbourne Knights – Port Melbourne Sharks 19:30
Heidelberg United – South Melbourne 19:30
Green Gully – Altona Magic 20:00
Oakleigh Cannons – St Albans Saints 20:30
Saturday 17/06
Moreland – Avondale 3pm
Dandenong Thunder – Bentleigh Greens 3pm
Hume City v North Geelong Warriors 6.30pm
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 Round 18
Friday 16/06
Dandenong City – Western United (Y) 19:45
Pascoe Vale – Melbourne City (Y) 20:15
Preston Lions – Manningham United Blues 20:30
Northcote City v Werribee City 8.30pm
Langwarrin v Brunswick City 8.30pm
Saturday 17/06
Eastern Lions – Brunswick Juventus 15:00
Monday 19/06
Bulleen Lions – Kingston City 20:15
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 Round 14
Saturday 17/06
Ballarat City v Melbourne Victory (Y) 3pm
Doveton -Goulburn Valley Suns 3pm
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Beaumaris15:00
Box Hill United v Nunawading 3pm
Caroline Springs George Cross – North Sunshine Eagles 5.30pm
Essendon Royals –Geelong 7pm
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