The Weekend Wrap: Burfoot banger, South salvage, Alamein train takes off

by Staff Writers 0

In a contest with more penalties than goals, a 10-man Melbourne Knights salvaged a draw against Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve

It all started in the 20th minute when Milan Batur was sent off for a last-man challenge following a Fraser Chalmers mis-kick, but the custodian made amends to save Alan Kearney’s spot kick. Yet it was Jacob Colosimo down the other end who earned a penalty and duly converted from the spot. Another penalty in the second half to Port after James McGarry was deemed to have handballed was converted by David Stirton, with Port unable to make the numerical advantage count any further.

Oakleigh finally hit their straps to secure a first win of the season, surprising Hume City 2-1 at home

New import Ross Frame scored his first goal for the club since his move from Ireland in the first half to propel the visitors into the lead. Former Cannons man Kofi Danning then scored against his old club for his new side, but it wasn’t enough as Ali Hameed popped up late to seal a dramatic victory.

NPL Victoria | Oakleigh Cannons 2 – 1 Hume City | OC: Ross Frame 26′, Ali Hameed 90′ – HC: Kofi Danning 53′

Posted by NMS Media on Friday, 11 March 2016

Under 20’s highlights

NPL U20 Round 3: Oakleigh Cannons 0 def by Hume City 4NPL20s VIDEO | Hume City F.C. took away all three points in the NPL Victoria Under 20s on Friday night defeating Oakleigh Cannons FC 4-0. It took just 72 seconds for the ball to find the back of the net thanks to a lob by Adrian Corsi. Erdeniz Yildiz would double the lead part-way through the first half with a tremendous strike from 25-yards out. Just prior to the break, Corsi would set up Jonas Markovski for a tap in however was adjudged to be offside.In the second half, Hume continued their control of posession through the midfield and pressure into the front third. Kristian Trajceski fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. In the 72nd minute Markovski missed a bicycle kick shot but Jordan Fahim made up for it at the back post with a shot across the keeper to give Hume their four goal win.Afterwards, Adrian Corsi and Kristian Trajceski spoke to TCF about the match.

Posted by The Corner Flag on Monday, 14 March 2016

Three goals is usually enough to win a game, but not for Richmond as Victory doubled their tally

It took Victory just six minutes to open the scoring when George Howard got on to the end of a pinpoint Joey Katebian cross. The latter then turned scorer to double the advantage, before Liam Flynn assisten Hamlet Armenian as the hosts pegged a goal back. Sebastian Pasquali bagged a brace before the break to effectively kill off the contest, with his hat-trick in the second half sandwiched in between a Jake Barker-Daish penalty and Katebian’s second goal. Armenian also scored a second late in the contest, which acted as mere consolation.

Perhaps not panic stations yet, but Avondale remain without a point after four games

And this time it was a defeat to Bentleigh, who continue their unbeaten run. Ryan Paczkowski scored on the rebound after Chris Lucas hit the post for the first goal, while Troy Ruthven added a second just after half an hour with a spectacular volley. Avondale saw a comeback in sight when Matt Sanders halved the lead after the break, but Troy Ruthven sealed the win with another screamer directly from a free kick. The game also marked the return of Matt Thurtell from a long injury layoff.

The first of two goalless draws on Saturday came between Green Gully and Heidelberg

Both defences had the better of it throughout the 90, as a few early efforts by Evan Christdoulou and Liam Boland – including a spectacular volley from the ladder – didn’t trouble the scorers. A flashpoint came when Harry Noon’s strike led to appeals for handball on Roddy Vargas which were waved away. The visitors had a chance to win it late when Kenny Athiu was played through on goal, but his scuffed effort was saved by Rani Dowisha.

Northcote earned a first point of the season in a scoreless encounter against Pascoe Vale

Todd Dekker was dangerous early, getting in behind and appealing for a penalty after being taken down. Davey van ‘t Schip came closest when his low strike hit the upright. A largely low-key encounter ended in a bang as two penalty appeals that were turned down led to Michalis Karvouniaris sent off for remonstrating.

Bulleen looked on their way to an upset 2-0 win before South had other ideas

A Sami Nour half volley from Gianni De Nittis’ cross saw the hosts take a 10th minute lead. Takanori Nishimoto then doubled the advantage in double the time, with Bulleen looking good for their money thereafter. With the game edging closer to a win for the hosts, Matt Theodore pegged one back in the 84th minute, before Milos Lujic headed in the equaliser to stun the crowd at David Barro Stadium.

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NPLW

It was yet another NPLW loss for Heidelberg United, and another win for Calder, who continued on their merry way, posting five goals unanswered at Olympic Village. 

Jess Pitts got things off to a flying start with a thunderous effort which flew into the top right corner past Christina Fonua.

Rachel Alonso doubled the lead from a cutback, sliding low into the corner of the goals, before Marie Rampal added a second goal in as many games with some quick footwork and an even better finish.

Enza Barilla followed in a shot from Tijen Hussein to tap home from close range, before Alonso grabbed her brace on 89 minutes with a tidy finish on the break.

It rounded off a brilliant afternoon for the visitors, but Heidelberg will need to act fast to save their season.

#PS4NPLWVIC #HDLvCUCheck out Calder United SC’s highlights of the match against Heidelberg United Womens FC on Saturday #PS4NPLWVIC

Posted by NPLW Victoria on Sunday, 13 March 2016

Alamein FC’s latest American import Hannah Keane was central to everything good Alamein FC did, netting a hat-trick and assisting one as her side triumphed over Box Hill United 4-1.

Keane beat Emily Shields with a powerful effort to kick things off in the first half, only for Melanie Camilleri to grab a second goal for the season with a near post finish.

A cut-back from Keane found Melina Ayres to blast home a second and re-take the lead, with the forward then adding her second before the half’s conclusion.

Keane snuck her hat-trick past the near post of Shields, who did her best throughout the contest to keep the scoreline respectable.

FC Bulleen Lions claimed a 4-1 win over Southern United, who hosted their first ever NPLW fixture at Lawton Park Reserve.

Emily Coppock opened the scoring with a strong finish from Taryne Boudreau’s cut-back, only for Southern to hit back through Selena Karlson who leapt highest to meet a tailing cross from the wing.

The hosts had wrestled control of the contest, but were unable to put away their chances, which came back to haunt them as Bulleen were able to find a further three goals in the second half.

Substitute Lia Privitelli making an immediate impact on the contest with a double, the first of which came from a strong finish off the post, soon completing her brace with a toe poke past Jaye Todd in goals.

Beattie Goad rounded off the scoring in typical style, striding past her defensive markers and clinically dispatching with a left-footed strike.

Iaconis

FULL PHOTO GALLERY 

Galaxy United registered their second straight win to start the season with a 2-1 defeat of Bayside United, who put in an energetic display despite the loss.

Adriana Taranto picked out the bottom corner following a strong run through the middle of the park to open the scoring.

Emma Robers had a glorious chance to open, and her well hit shot struck the crossbar on its way to safety.

Instead, Galaxy youngster Caitlin Pickett headed home to seal the contest on 82 minutes, just moments after the bar denied Bayside their equaliser.

A late goal to Bronte James made the final few minutes interesting but the hosts weren’t able to hang on for a win.

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NPL2 East

Brunswick have made it seven points from 12 to start the NPL Victoria 2 East season after registering a 2-1 win over Dandenong City.

After netting a brace in the 5-0 win over Nunawading City last week, Adam Wright glanced a header past goalkeeper Dandenong keeper Damir Saccin to open the scoring in the first half.

Brunswick keeper Wesley Coles made a pair of good stops in the early stages of the second half, before Dimi Vithoulkas doubled the lead with a fantastic placed strike from outside the area.

Ashley Cattermole grabbed a consolation on 59 minutes, heading home a free-kick to round off the scoring.

An absolute blinder from Eastern Lions’ Sam Burfoot was enough to claim a 1-0 victory over Springvale White Eagles at White Eagles Stadium.

It came in the 88th minute, as Burfoot flicked the ball above and behind himself with his first touch, before flicking the ball back over his head and chipping the keeper from close range.

Chances traded hands periodically throughout the game with Jason Ricciuti and Ryan Barbare enjoying the best chances for the hosts, while Burfoot could’ve had a double, were it not for a good save from Springvale’s keeper to deny him from a set-piece.

The decider will go down as an early contender for goal of the season, which you can see below. FULL HIGHLIGHTS

Dandenong Thunder continued their unbeaten start to the NPL2 East season with a dominant 3-1 win over Box Hill United at Wembley Park.

BHUvDT

(Click image for full report)

Dandenong were in control for the majority of the contest, with Amir Osmancevic continuing his blistering start to life in the NPL2 East with another brace, including the opener on 19 minutes with a vicious strike off the upright.

Simon Colosimo then doubled the lead with a near post flick on from a Kristian Sarkies corner.

Michael Godfrey and Kobbie Boahene both rose high over Thunder keeper Fraser Maclaren to meet an Alex Dao free-kick, which was bundled home by the latter to pull one back for the hosts.

The game was put to bed by Osmancevic’s second, which saw him finish at the second time of asking past Coulter into the right side of goal.

It could have been much worse for Box Hill, with Veton Korcari missing a pair of golden chances in the first half, and Osmancevic cannoning a shot off the crossbar with a hat-trick on offer.

FULL REPORT

In the battle of the regional sides, Goulburn Valley Suns triumphed 2-1 over Murray United, but were forced to come from behind to snatch their third win of the season.

New signing Geoffry Lino broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time with his first ever goal in Murray colours.

After the break, the Suns hit back, first through Hakeem Alaraibi who headed home from a corner kick, then through Craig Carley who grabbed his fifth goal in four games.

Goulburn Valley end the week in third place, while Murray are still in search of their first win.

Nunawading City were no match for a fast finishing Kingston City, who piled on two goals after the break to secure a 3-1 win.

The game sat at 1-0 heading into the break, with former Czech youth international Zdenek Koukal scoring his fourth goal in consecutive games to start the season.

Velibor Mitrovic then struck twice in quick succession to extend the lead out to three goals, and ensuring Kingston’s unbeaten start to the season continues.

Nunawading grabbed a late consolation goal to David Antequera to round off the scoring heading into the split rounds.

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NPL2 West

North Geelong flexed their muscles at home to put away a disappointing Sunshine 4-0

Two Matthews combined early as a long throw from Townley was latched onto by Thorne for the lead. It was 2-0 when Rudi Saglam scored after Michael Anderson’s saved shot deflected to him. Anderson then scored with a brilliant effort from 30 metres sealed the points before the break had even arrived. Townley then added another season goal from the spot – his third so far – to rub salt into the visitors’ wounds.

Whittlesea continue their good form with another win over a Bendigo outfit still looking for their first goal of the season

Whittlesea were 1-0 up half time courtesy of a Matthew Iuliano free kick. Atilla Ofli pounced minutes into the second half to add to the advantage, while the team’s third goal to Matthew Cundari effectively killed off the contest. George Slefendorfas then sealed proceedings with a shot that was adjudged to have crossed the line after bouncing off the frame of the woodwork.

Melbourne City looked like a side priming for promotion early with a comfortable win over Moreland Zebras

A free-kick from Phil Petreski did the damage in the first half. Brad Clarke made it a second after the half time break, slotting in following a saved penalty. James Kelly saw red with just over 10 minutes to go, which didnt help the Zebras cause as Chris Cristaldo sealed the contest late.

St Albans crashed to their first defeat of the season, a result which may kickstart Moreland City’s season

St Albans perhaps had the better of it in a scoreless first half, but it was Apai Ukuno who continued his good form and put the visitors in the lead through a precise header. Substitute Tedros Yabio scored off the bench for a second week consecutive week with a close range strike from a Joseph Monek cross. Ukuno then won it for the visitors, scoring his second of the match from the edge of the area.

It was penalties galore as Ballarat outlasted Werribee City at home

It was looking good early when Dave King tapped in after Dom Swinton’s shot was blocked from a corner, but Werribee equalised in the 27th minute mark through Delfin Mosibe, who followed in his saved penalty to slot home. A spectacular Nelson Salvatore free kick restored the advantage, though Werribee hit back again through another Mosibe penalty. The pendulum swung in Ballarat’s favour again, as a handball in the box allowed Shaun Romein to step up and score the winner.