With their eyes and minds fixed on the top of the table, Chris Taylor’s ‘fighters’ put on yet another impressive display of football, comfortably defeating Moreland with a 0-3 win.
The “Greek” team appears to be raising the quality of their performance on the pitch week after week, making it difficult for anyone to make predictions about the final outcome of this year’s championship.
Wade Dekker opened the score for the Cannons in the 16th minute, after a corner kick and a rebound inside the home team’s area. Alex Salmon then doubled the lead for his side in the 37th minute, bringing joy to his teammates and manager as they headed to the dressing room for the break.
The champions did some neat passing in the second half, moving the ball around effectively, creating chances all over the pitch and eventually scoring a third goal in the 78th minute, courtesy of the team’s experienced striker and one of the stars of the away win, Chris Lucas.
Chris Taylor’s team secured another important win, ending the first round of this year’s championship on a high note.
South Melbourne – North Geelong Warriors
South Melbourne remained at the top of the table after their 2-1 home win against North Geelong on Sunday afternoon (14.05). Esteban Quintas’ team had their centre forward, Ajak Riak, in amazing form.
The South Sudanese striker scored twice, leading his team to another important win. He first opened the score from close range in the 36th minute and then doubled the score with a powerful header in the 47th minute.
The visitors attempted to fight back, but they only managed to score one goal in the 95th minute of the game, making the score 2-1.
This was another positive step towards the championship for one of the best teams in the league.
Altona Magic – Port Melbourne Sharks
Port Melbourne’s team soared to new heights, easily defeating Altona Magic 0-2 at home.
Valentin Cesnik’s goal in the 11th minute of the game gave the “Red and Blue” a head start. His goal gave Sharks the momentum they needed to stay focused and compete at their highest level. It was a great way to start the match.
The home side attempted to fight back, but continually encountered the sturdy defensive wall that Adam Piddick’s team had constructed on Saturday afternoon. Ultimately, the visitors scored a second goal in the 61st minute with Anthony Ianchello, sealing any hopes the “Magic” had of equalizing and earning at least one point.
Melbourne Knights – Heidelberg United
There is no end in sight to the competitive slump that the historic club of Heidelberg has experienced this year. United suffered yet another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of the Melbourne Knights.
The “Croats” proved to be poor hosts after gifting Giorgos Katsakis’ side with not one, not two, but five goals, adding yet another heavy defeat to this year’s collection of ugly results for the “yellow and black” club.
United’s management will have to quickly find a remedy for the team’s extremely poor playing situation if they do not want to get involved in dangerous adventures at the end of the season…a scenario that, of course, does not befit the size or the history of the club.
Bentleigh Greens – Avondale
The image of Bentleigh Greens is still negative, as they failed to resist Avondale’s “appetite”. The Greens welcomed the Italian team on Friday night in front of several supporters from both teams.
The home team attempted to get their game going, passing the ball effectively for the first thirty minutes of the match, but eventually fell apart when they conceded the first goal in the 36th minute from the in-form Zander Guy. The “supersonic” winger had an excellent game, providing a demonstration of how a wing forward should move around the pitch.
The “Cypriots” wanted to restore some balance in the second half of the game, but Trajceski’s goal in the 50th minute once again cut the legs out from under Riccardo Marchioli’s players. Yusuf Ahmed made it 0-3 in the 53rd minute, and Guy made it 0-4 in the 90th minute.
NPL2
We had a nerve-wracking match for the NPL2 championship. Brunswick City won the big derby against Preston Lions with a score of 1 – 0. With this victory, the “Greek” team temporarily climbed to third place, just one point behind Preston and Eastern Lions.
Northcote and Kingston City had less successful matches. The “Blues” drew at home against Manningham while the “Red and Whites” suffered a 0-2 defeat at home to Melbourne City.
NPL3
Box Hill United took a big breather on Saturday afternoon. Pythagoras cruised past Ballarat’s home in comfort and style with 0 – 3. A result that put them in tenth place in the standings.
State Leagues
Yarraville remained relatively close to the top of the North West group table, having been held to a 1-1 draw at home against Corio.
Malvern achieved a great home win against Richmond with a score of 6-1. This huge victory allowed the “Greek” team to jump into second place in the table, just two points behind Eltham Redbacks.
The weekend was unsuccessful for Aris from Springvale as they were defeated 1-2 by the Casey Comets on Saturday afternoon.
NPL RESULTS
Bentleigh Greens – Avondale 0 – 4 (36′ Z. Guy, 50′ K. Trajceski, 53′ Y. Ahmed, 90′ Z. Guy)
Melbourne Knights – Heidelberg United 5 – 0 (15′ G. Albano, 42′ C. Bramwell, 84′ T. Ssemakula, 86′ J. Phelps, 90+2′ M. Sumaoro)
Green Gully – St Albans Saints 0 – 1 (28′ M. Grgic)
Moreland City – Oakleigh Cannons 0 – 3 (17′ W. Dekker, 37′ A. Salmon, 78′ C. Lucas)
Altona Magic – Port Melbourne Sharks 0 – 2 (11′ V. Cesnic, 61′ A. Ianchello)
Hume City – Dandenong Thunder 0 – 2 (58′ K. Hallam, 80′ G. Damen)
South Melbourne – North Geelong Warriors 2 – 1 (36′ A. Riak, 47′ A. Riak – 90+5′ L. Zivcic)
NPL – Table
1. South Melbourne 13 34
2. Avondale 13 34
3. Oakleigh Cannons 13 29
4. Melbourne Knights 13 27
5. Port Melbourne 13 21
6. Green Gully 13 18
7. Altona Magic 13 17
8. Dandenong Thunder 13 16
9. Hume City 13 14
10. St Albans Saints 13 13
11. Heidelberg United 13 13
12. Moreland City 13 9
13. North Geelong 13 7
14. Bentleigh Greens 13 6
NPL2 Results
Werribee City – Pascoe Vale 5 – 1
Brunswick Juventus – Langwarrin 3 – 2
Northcote City – Manningham United Blues 2 – 2
Eastern Lions – Dandenong City 1 – 0
Kingston City – Melbourne City (Y) 0 – 2
Brunswick City – Preston Lions 1 – 0
Western United (Y) – Bulleen Lions 3 – 1
NPL2 – Table
1. Preston Lions 13 24
2. Eastern Lions 13 24
3. Western United (Y) 13 24
4. Kingston City 13 23
5. Dandenong 13 20
6. Northcote City 13 20
7. Manningham 13 19
8. Langwarrin 13 19
9. Werribee 13 18
10. Brunswick City 13 17
11. Pascoe Vale 13 17
12. Melbourne City (Y) 13 16
13. Bulleen 13 10
14. Brunswick Juventus 13 10
NPL3 Results
Ballarat City – Box Hill United 1 – 4
Beaumaris – North Sunshine Eagles 2 – 3
Goulburn Valley Suns – Nunawading 2 – 1
Boroondara Eagles – Essendon Royals 2 – 2
Caroline Springs George Cross – Doveton 1 – 0
Melbourne Victory (Y) – Geelong 3 – 0
NPL3 – Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 9 22
2. North Sunshine 9 19
3. Nunawading 9 18
4. Goulburn Suns 9 17
5. Boroondara 9 14
6. Caroline Springs 9 13
7. Geelong 9 11
8. Beaumaris 9 11
9. Doveton 9 10
10. Box Hill 9 10
11. Essendon 9 8
12. Ballarat 9 1