Photo: Man in the Stands
Langwarrin has emerged as the early front-runner in the South-East following a hard fought 2-0 win against the previously unbeaten South Springvale at Warner Reserve. With the wet and wild weather having an effect on the game, the visitors snatched the three points late on thanks to goals from veteran substitute Caleb Nicholes and Alex Metcalfe.
The pair both grabbed their second strikes of the campaign as the men from Lawton Park gave Coach Gus MacLeod the perfect gift on his 400th league game for the club.
Rivals Mornington slipped up once more following a shock 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Manningham United Blues. An own goal gave the hosts the perfect start only for Alfredo Constantino’s side to level proceedings thanks to Anton Nardella’s leveller. A red card to Lucas Johns before the break did not deter the visitors who took the lead through substitute Matthew Infantino ten minutes from time with Mornington’s Jack Truelove also sent off in injury time.
The onset of lightning and thunderstorms forced the abandonment of Casey Comet’s home tie against Morwell Pegasus at half-time. Paul Kuol gave the away side the lead in the 25th minute only for Andrew Stubley to equalise ten minutes later. Both St Kilda and Malvern City are still searching for their first win after a goalless draw at Elwood Park on Saturday afternoon.
Clifton Hill overtook Adam Jamieson’s side on the ladder thanks to their second consecutive win over surprise packets Caulfield United. The Cobras came into the game having won their opening two games only to be suffer defeat for the first time this term as Jonathan Voulgaris’ 15th minute strike secured all three points.
The ex-Werribee man now has three goals in his first two matches at his new employers following his departure from Galvin Park last month.
Finally Warragul United claimed their first win of the season following an end-to-end 3-2 triumph over last placed Mooroolbark at Esther Park. Rory Wagner gave the visitors the lead inside the opening minute before the lead was doubled by Joel Baldwin three minutes later. Ross Clark and Brett Tronconi scored either side of half-time to get the Barkers back on level terms only for Baldwin to score his second in the 58th minute to seal the victory.
In the West, the Altona Magic came back from a goal down at the half-time to break to dismantle a 10-man Altona East Phoenix in the battle of Paisley Park Soccer Complex.
Ex St Albans striker Goran Jozeljic gave the visitors an early lead before teammate Tristan Romein was sent off in the 35th minute. A destructive 23 minute spell in the second half saw the Magic bag five with goals falling to Steven Thomson, Adamson Ajayi and new Argentine signing Facundo Alcacer as well as big Scottish striker Jon McShane who grabbed a brace. Emilio Benjamin netted a consolation for PAOK.
Geelong kept pace with the promotion favourites following another impressive performance at Stead Park on Saturday afternoon as they defeated last-placed Westgate 3-1. Former Sindeljic captain Dusko Delic opened the scoring against his former club only for Rafael Griglia to equalise shortly afterwards. American Daniel Kuczynski joined Altona’s Ajayi at the top of the goalscoring charts with four goals while Louis Bentley added a third.
The North Sunshine Eagles recovered from last week’s heavy defeat to the Magic with a coming-from-behind 3-2 triumph over the Essendon Royals. Reigning Golden Boot winner Diellon Memishi handed Arben Isai’s men the lead only for goals from Albert Zorzanello and Frazer McKinlay to have the Royals in front heading into the break. Nicholas Cullen restored penalty just before half-time before a second half penalty from Feta Memishi to give the visitors all three points.
Banyule City maintained their undefeated start to the campaign after a thrilling 3-2 win over Yarraville at Yallambie Reserve to move up to third on the league standings. Goals to Ben Hampson, Troy Pennycooke-Morgan and Kosta Tsioukis secured all three points for the Bulls while Domingo Garcia-Fernandez and Ritchie Rossi were the scorers for the defeated Glory.
Keilor Park made it two wins from two after a 73rd minute goal from Liam Brian gave Paul Falzon’s side all three points against Preston at BT Connor Reserve with the hosts yet to win a game from the opening three matches. The Lions poor start to the campaign saw coach Zeljko Popovic pay the price with former Hume City manager Lou Acevski appointed as his successor as the club faces a massive FFA Cup clash against rivals North Sunshine tonight.
Sydenham Park secured their first win of the season after a 4-2 win over Western Suburbs at Keilor Lodge Reserve. A double from former Altona Magic VPL Championship-winner Koce Delev and two own goals made all the difference for Alex Cobo’s men. The visitors had Ivan Romero and Dan Gathercole on the scoresheet with the former sent off in the opening minutes of the second half with Terry Antoniadis’ men facing the Essendon Royals in this round’s only catch-up fixture.