Marino Gasparis had his dream starting debut for Pascoe Vale, helping the side to an unlikely come-from-behind win over the usually rampant Heidelberg, while Bentleigh Greens and Hume also drew to allow South Melbourne to extend its lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Port Melbourne.
At CB Smith, it was looking like business as usual for the Bergers, who opened the scoring in the 19th minute.
It was an unusual source to help propel the hosts into the lead however, when fullback Josh Wilkins got forward and on the end of a cross from Jack Petrie to finish into the net.
Yet two minutes later it was Gasparis who hit back from the hosts from a free kick to equalise.
That was the scenario heading into the break, but it was Gasparis again who pounced to turn his side’s early deficit into a lead at 2-1.
A disallowed goal was as close as Heidelberg came to an equaliser, as Pascoe Vale held on to the win to again give it more breathing space in the survival race.
Having now beaten the likes of Green Gully, South Melbourne and Heidelberg United, Pascoe Vale will be scratching their heads wondering how only four wins have eventuated from their season given their results against the league’s heavyweights.
At Kingston Heath, Hume City had Petar Franjic, Hernan Espindola and Kym Harris all play the 20s.
The seniors didn’t get off to best possible start, with Matt Thurtell back-heeling in Chris Lucas’ effort to give the hosts a 12th minute lead.
Both combined again not long after and it resulted in Thurtell’s shot being saved off the woodwork.
Craig Carley took his first warning shot in the 25th minute, and made the visitors pay in the 38th when he scored in his second consecutive game to justify his move to Hume.
Both keepers – Ryan Scott and Chris Oldield – were on top in the second half as nothing got past them and the score remained 1-1.
With the others in the top six dropping points, it allowed South to increase their lead at the top with a goal in either half.
It was Milos Lujic with his lucky 13th of the season when he won a foul in the area and made no mistake from the penalty spot, giving his side a 28th minute lead.
Then in the second half, Michael Eagar got forward and drove the ball across goal for substitute Leigh Minopoulos to score the club’s sealing goal in the 71st minute.
Both sides now prepare for midweek FFA Cup football, as South brace for a blockbuster against Bentleigh Greens, while Port now turn their focus to a clash against Melbourne Knights.
Image: South Melbourne