Image: Northcote City
Five scorers in five-star Northcote win over Bendigo
Northcote City passed its first test on the road with flying colours in its bid to return to the top flight, while Srecko Baresic-Nikic’s young Bendigo brigade will have plenty to mull over after a 5-0 trouncing. Two separate flurries of goals in both halves contributed to the scoreline.
Former St Albans vice-captain turned Northcote skipper Josh Knight opened the scoring on 21 minutes, before Alec Goodwin converted a one-on-one just five minutes later to double the advantage and give the hosts a mountain to climb.
A three-goal period in the final 20 minutes of the contest began with former Moreland Zebras man Baggio Yousif, who put the finishing touches on Anthony Ramzy’s magic down the wing in the 72nd minute. Nick Bavcar and James Papadimitriou also added the finishing touches on 82’ and 88’, the latter joining one-time Zebras teammate Yousif on the scoresheet.
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Hero Hodor saves Sunshine against Zebras
Debutant Adam Hodor struck twice in the space of five minutes to cancel out wonder goals from Regsan Watkins and Josh McMonagle-Ihasz to earn a point for Sunshine George Cross against Moreland Zebras.
Daniel Petrov would go closest in the opening 30 with a long-range effort, however his shot was tipped over the bar by Robert Santilli. Soon after a defensive mishap from Barry Devlin allowed Watkins to fire, however Santilli matched the shot by parrying it for a corner.
The game sprung into life 10 minutes from the interval when some build-up play in the Zebras midfield found Watkins in the right position, nestling the ball into the top corner, leaving Santilli stranded this time.
A minute from the break a Josh McMonagle-Ihasz set piece doubled the lead, mirroring a free-kick scored by Wayne Rooney a couple weeks back.
The Zebras went into the break two goals to the good, however Sunshine would not lie down. After play commenced, Brandon Scerri had a chance of his own, however his shot was well covered at the front post by ex-Brisbane Roar youth custodian Andre Janesse.
New signing Amir Osmancevic would go close, however Santilli guarded his front post well to deny the debutant the chance to open his account.
With five minutes to play it looked as though the Zebras would take all three points in their opening game. However debutant Adam Hodor had different ideas. A long ball from custodian Santilli found the 20-year-old’s feet and slid the ball past an onrushing Janesse.
As the 90th minute ticked over, Hodor again would score, this time from a wide position outside the box by catching Janesse off guard as the ball crashed into the back of the net.
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Wright delight as Brunswick beat Ballarat
Brunswick City’s 2016 golden boot Adam Wright also got off to the best start possible with a brace, while the club’s new recruits were also on form against Ballarat City as Cameron Neales and Seb Mattei also shone on debut.
The Welsh striker found the net in the opening minutes with a header from Liam Newman’s cross. One of Brunswick’s new signings in former Eastern Lions’ man Cameron Neales doubled to advantage before the break with a diving header past 2m-tall Josh Dorron in goals.
At 70 minutes Brunswick may have seen the finish line in sight but it was one of Ballarat’s best last season in Pat Karras who pegged one back with a long-range stunner.
However it was usual suspect Wright who settled the nerves in the 84th minute to seal his double and a 3-1 lead.
Ballarat had a chance to make it 3-2 in the dying stages but Sebastian Mattei saved a Michael Trigger penalty after Charlie King was taken down in the box.
It marked a triumphant league playing return for Mattei, who had spent a couple of seasons on the sidelines as Green Gully’s goalkeeping coach, though he did have to pull on the gloves in the win against Central Coast Mariners in the FFA Cup win for Gully after Rani Dowisha’s suspension and a transfer for Ante Covic didn’t materialise.
More importantly, it marked an opening three points for Brunswick who are seen by some as promotion dark horses under George Karkaletsis this season.
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No Victory as Melbourne, Whittlesea split points
Melbourne Victory resumed life back in the second tier with a scoreless draw against fellow La Ionica-sponsored outfit Whittlesea Ranges, a club that came close to taking Victory’s spot in the top tier.
The contest sprung into life predominantly in the second half when what appeared to be a George Howard head-butt on Adam Centofanti led to an all-in scuffle.
Howard was in the thick of the action when he forced new custodian Phil Petrovski into a fingertip save onto the crossbar to deny the lead.
At the other end, Matt Conversano took on a few defenders and was through one-on-one but missed his opportunity.
But that was it and neither side was able to claim the La Ionica Cup.
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Ukuno, Voulgaris open their accounts in draw
Moreland City and Werribee City cancelled each other out as both teams’ sharpshooters found the back of the net.
After a scoreless first half, South Sudanese international Apai Ukuno struck first in the second period. The goal came about through Corey Thomas, who found space on the edge of the area and forced Luke Gavalas into a save which spilled into Ukuno’s path, with the striker netting his first of the campaign. His re-signing was a big coup for City, given the forward’s 18-goal haul last season would have had top-flight club taking notice.
Yet with time running out it was Werribee’s own weapon in Jonathan Voulgaris firing, heading in Rob Naumoski’s free kick to equalise, picking up where he left off last season which will no doubt delight Werribee’s hierarchy.