Photo: Peter Psarros (Smile For Peter)
It was a two-part story in the race for top spot at the conclusion of Round 14 in the NPL Victoria, with both South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens both throwing away opportunities to go clear on top.
The biggest beneficiaries were the brilliant Heidelberg United, who trumped South 5-0 in almost a complete reversal of their Round One 6-0 loss at Lakeside.
The mammoth result almost served as a four-point victory, as they gained competition points on both of their title-chasing opponents, as well as climbing to equal top goal difference in the league.
That slip-up from South allowed Bentleigh the opportunity to go clear on top, but they weren’t able to break down the men behind the ball of Bulleen Lions who shared a 1-1 draw.
An intriguing week of action saw South remain top – by the skin of their teeth – but will have to bounce back quick-fast against rivals Northcote City next weekend.
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Revenge served cold as Bergers dismantle South
It was Heidelberg’s third five-goal victory of the season, this one arguably their best, coming in the Traditional Greek Derby
Defender Steven Pace got the ball rolling, connecting with a cross to break the deadlock just past the half-hour mark to begin a siege on the South Melbourne goal.
A double on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of Kenny Athiu and Harry Noon, saw the Bergers carry a 3-0 lead into the break in what was fast turning into South’s most insipid displays of the season – if not the NPL Victoria era.
Noon smashed home into the left corner to make it four unanswered goals before Jack Petrie hit his second stunner of the season to make it 5-0.
South finally got their reprieve as Marcus Schroen was bundled over inside the area, only for Nick Epifano to sky his penalty – his second miss of the season – which allowed Heidelberg to hold onto a clean sheet against their rivals.
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Lions hold firm to deny Greens top-spot
With top-spot on offer, Bentleigh Greens were unable to capitalise on the opportunity presented to them, conceding a second half goal to draw 1-1 with Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club on Monday night.
Bulleen held men behind the ball in the first half, with most of the action occurring inside the Bentleigh attacking half, however they defended valiantly to limit the amount of clear-cut chances in a period of dominance by the visitors.
They were forced to rally after conceding a goal after just eight minutes, as a quickly taken Troy Ruthven free-kick cleverly caught out Griffin McMaster on its way into the top corner of the net.
Kieran Dover was central to a number of opportunities in the first half, having shots blocked by Andrew Mullett and saved my McMaster.
Wayne Wallace was also presented a good chance to extend the Bentleigh lead, but he headed over from close range following a Ryan Paczkowski corner.
McMaster was also forced into work to deny Tyson Holmes, with Bulleen enjoying their best chance of the half minutes later, but Ersin Kaya was unable to finish at the far post following a Josh Barresi free-kick.
The hosts had plenty more of it as the game began to find its groove, and they fashioned an equaliser on the hour mark, through Barresi, who was on hand to header across Ryan Scott from Matteo Ballan’s corner.
Just minutes later and they should have had the lead, as some brilliant build up down the right saw Shayan Alinejad cut in for Barressi, who worked the ball to Kaya to shoot.
His effort appeared to cannon off the arm of Jack Webster, and despite heavy protests, the referee turned down the cries.
The once again impressive Ruthven was given his marching orders for a second yellow card, which saw the game open up even more for the final 10 or so minutes.
Matthew Thurtell had a brilliant chance saved by McMaster while at the other end substitute Josh Brindell-South was forced to scramble to deny Dean Lorenzi off the line.
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Knights close in on top-six
Melbourne Knights strengthened their case for a top-six position by scoring a goal at either end of the match to trump Green Gully 2-0.
Jacob Colosimo netted a penalty in the 16th minute, his fifth of the campaign, while Stipo Andrijasevic continued his run of form as he tucked away a goal in the 90th minute to score his third goal in two games.
Andrew Marth will hope Andrijasevic consolidates on his striker’s touch this Sunday against a determined Heidelberg United.
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Northcote triumphant in relegation six-pointer
Northcote City put three past Melbourne Victory to move within one game’s reach of leapfrogging their NPL Victoria opponents
The deadlock was broken through Anthony Ramzy as he latched onto a cross from a tight angle to slot the ball home in the 18th minute.
Other players to find their name on the goal scorers list were centre-half’s Jordan Wilkes and Gregory Lombardo in the 41st and 47th minute respectively, who both profited from deliveries from Ramzy.
The result proves that Goran Lozanovski’s bottom placed men are still able to show some fight in them.
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Paco falter as Avondale complete second-half comeback
Finally, Avondale FC’s 2-1 win over Pascoe Vale saw the two sides continue their respective trajectories.
Paco loom perilously close to the drop zone after their third loss in four starts, while Avondale continue to slowly sneak up the ladder in their bid for finals football.
Things were looking good going into half time as Yusei Kitade shot them into a 1-0 lead, lifting Vale four points clear of relegation in the process.
However Abrahim Yango scored his first league goal for Avondale to equaliser before Jonatan Germano capitalised on a nice passage of play to net the winner with 15 minutes to play.