Image: Mark Avellino
The league lead has chopped and changed between the likes of Avondale, Bentleigh and Green Gully in recent weeks, and now Heidelberg United take the mantle as the only team to pick up all three points on offer in the round so far following a 2-1 win over Bulleen Lions.
Elsewhere, St Albans and Melbourne Knights played out a scoreless draw that suits neither side, while North Geelong held Hume City to a 1-1 draw, as did Port Melbourne to Avondale, meaning the first four games of Round 13 all finished 1-1.
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At Olympic Village, Kenny Athiu got Heidelberg underway against Bulleen in the 18th minute, dispatching a penalty following a handball in the area called on Eli Luttmer.
Bulleen pushed and, after squandering an earlier chance, the side had the equaliser when Brad Clarke smashed in his second goal of the season to square the ledger.
Yet the Bergers re-took their lead in the 35th minute and carried it into the break when Sean Ellis’ ever-dangerous set-piece deliveries caused havoc again, with Steven Pace netting from a corner.
Athiu nearly had his second before the break but was thwarted by a good save from Wyatt Chant
The visitors came out full of intent in the second half and Clarke could have added to his tally in the 57th minute when played through by Oliver White but was off target, with Heidelberg breathing a sigh of relief.
Despite their best efforts, an equaliser eluded the Lions who go home empty handed, with the win propelling Heidelberg to top of the table alongside Avondale but with a superior goal difference.
Warriors Vs. Bulleen Lions #Bergerbrigade #KINGKENNY #PS4NPLVIC @FFV365 @gazzagazzagc @HUFCWARRIOR pic.twitter.com/pOMlzD0lK4
— Bergerbrigade (@bergerbrigade58) May 14, 2017
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The other Sunday game was characterised by the lack of confidence in both St Albans and Melbourne Knights, both of whom went scoreless in a low-key draw via a combination of missed chances to take the lead and some important saves at either end.
Michael Grgic had a long range effort early for St Albans, spotting Fraser Chalmers off his line but his lob was just off target.
At the other end, Danny Dixon crossed in for a marauding Luke Jurcic to head over from close range in a gilt-edged opportunity.
One of St Albans’ best chances came when two ex-Knights combined as Anthony Katiforis’ delivery from the backline fell to Caleb Mikulic; his point-blank effort was saved by Chalmers, who also thwarted Jean Carlos Solorzano’s follow-up.
Aaron Romein had to make some important saves of his own to deny the likes of Dixon and Jason Hicks and preserve his side’s clean sheet.
Joey Monek had a couple of efforts to net for St Albans too but his radar was well off, with both clubs having to settle for a scoreless draw.
It’s a result that doesn’t change the make-up of the bottom three, with St Albans still in the bottom two alongside North Geelong, while the Knights continue occupy 12th but edge closer to the likes of Bulleen and Kingston above them.
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Hume City started brightly against North Geelong and, after a few early chances, took the lead in the sixth minute when Bryan Bran’s ball into the area was latched onto by Jayden Prasad, who rounded Marko Stevanja for the early lead.
The lead should have been doubled when a pinpoint cross just after the half-hour mark from James McGarry met the head of Liam Boland, but his effort flashed agonisingly wide.
Hume were made to pay for that miss, with Nicholas Jurcic netting soon after in transition to get the hosts on level terms. His goal, however, led to an injury which he couldn’t shake off before eventually being substituted at half time.
The visitors again blew a chance to find the back of the net just before the break when Wayne Wallace’s pinpoint ball to Atilla Ofli put the attacker in on goal but Stevanja produced an important save.
Both sides exchanged opportunities in the second half but goals weren’t forthcoming, with Hume City unable to make inroads on the top four, while North Geelong notched up their sixth draw of the season from 13 games as that elusive win continues to evade Micky Colina’s men.
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Avondale came out against Port Melbourne knowing a win would extend their lead at the top following draws to Bentleigh Greens and Green Gully the night before.
Kaine Sheppard had an early attempt that didn’t trouble the scorers, but his 20th minute attempt did the damage, sending his side into the lead.
Evan Christodoulou couldn’t add to his tally, while substitute Kristian Trajceski became another Avondale player to try seal the game but was unable to.
And with that came a late free-kick to Port Melbourne following a professional foul by Jeff Fleming, with Francesco Stella stepping up to take the set-piece for his side, and Philippe Bernabo-Madrid guiding the ball into the back of the net for the late equaliser and his second goal in consecutive weeks.
The frustrating draw meant Avondale couldn’t take the lead outright at the top of the table, while it was a handy point for Port in edging away from the wrong end of the table.