Image: Natasha Morello
Bentleigh Greens missed the chance to leapfrog Heidelberg at the top of the table after a 1-1 draw at home against Hume City, while Pascoe Vale secured a win over St Albans to find themselves back in the top six at Hume’s expense.
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It could have been worse for Bentleigh, however, whose draw came in the last clutches of the contest after staring at defeat for the last 20 or so minutes of the game.
Bentleigh had a flurry of early chances too as the likes of Dimi Hatzimouratis, Ben Litfin and Troy Ruthven couldn’t find their respective radars in the opening stages.
At the other Atilla Ofli had a couple of bites at the cherry which also couldn’t find the back of the net with as the search for just his third goal of the season continues.
Theo Markelis was introduced after the break for Jayden Prasad and seemed to make an immediate impact when he had the ball in the back of the net but was pulled up for offside.
Hume did eventually get their goal when Nick Hegarty found the head of Liam Boland for the opener in the 70th minute, a combination that has brought numerous goals this season. The towering striker now has seven for the season while it’s a ninth assist for the NPL gold medallist.
Lambros Honos was brought on for added attacking spark thereafter and almost made an impact when taking possession in the area but flashing wide.
Ryan Scott then had to be on hand to deny Daniel Clark from extending the lead and putting the game to bed.
But as Bentleigh do, they refused to give in and with the clock approaching added time it was Nick Glavan with a second assist in as many weeks, pouncing on a cleared set piece to find Marco Jankovic with a driven cross for the headed equaliser.
Bentleigh move to within one point of the Bergers with the latter yet to play this week and still holding a game in hand, it’s a good opportunity for George Katsakis’ side to extend their lead at the top.
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It took just one goal against the cellar dwellers but Pascoe Vale got the job done against St Albans with a 1-0 win.
Calvin Mbarga had an early opportunity but Alex Pavlidis was alert early to deny the new Dinamo signing.
The winner came early too when Luka Prelevic followed in Davey van ‘t Schip’s initial saved strike to net his second of the season.
For the most part it was Pascoe Vale with the better chances to extend their lead.
Van’ t Schip had the better of those chances, making space before shooting wide.
Mark Pistininzi’s header came off the crossbar via a fingertip save from Romein, while Matt Lazarides was denied a late sealer when his effort was cleared with a desperate lunge.
The night got worse for the visitors when Michael Grgic was sent off for a rash challenge in the dying stages.
The win takes Pascoe Vale to 25 points, one above Hume on 24, though Oakleigh can jump above Paco on goal difference should they win a tough encounter this weekend against Heidelberg.