Image: Mark Avellino
There was derby delight for Preston Lions this week, who halted Altona’s momentum near the home run of the campaign, allowing the likes of Geelong and North Sunshine to make up ground. South-East leaders Langwarrin were held by Casey Comets as the battle for survival heats up in that division.
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The Preston Lions upstaged rivals Altona Magic following a 3-2 victory in the Macedonian Derby at BT Connor Reserve on Sunday afternoon. Scottish striker Jon McShane handed the visitors an early lead only for Welshman Chris Davies to hit a first-half double. Adamson Ajayi levelled on the stroke of half-time but Lou Acevski’s charges scored the decisive goal six minutes from time through Bahraini international Hakeem Alaraibi, who netted from close range. That win took Preston into the top half of the ladder while Altona’s lead at the top was cut to eight points.
That came as a result of wins for both Geelong and the North Sunshine Eagles, who occupy second and third in the standings respectively on 29 points each. A Joshua Talev-doubled inspired Geelong to a 3-1 triumph over the Western Suburbs at Stead Park with Slave Bozinovski and Ivan Romero the game’s other goalscorers.
Braces to Diellon Memishi and Nicholas Cullen powered the North Sunshine Eagles to an impressive 5-2 away win at Sydenham Park, with substitute Lewis Shannon also bagging his first goal for the season. Malesh Jadaeile – a recent arrival from Dandenong Thunder – and Steve Najdovski netted for the hosts to add a touch of respectability to the scoreline.
The round’s biggest upset came at Yallambie Park as bottom-placed Westgate moved off the foot of the ladder after a shock 2-1 victory over Banyule City, who relinquished second place in the process. William Hudson and Velibor Pavlovic exchanged early goals before ex-Eastern Lions midfielder Chris Duncan netted a second half winner to give Sindjelic a timely boost in their attempts to avoid relegation.
Michael Curcija’s Essendon Royals moved three points above Westgate into ninth after a 1-0 win over now-bottom Altona East Phoenix at Ormond Park, while Yarraville stay in tenth following a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over a falling Keilor Park. Two late goals in two minutes from imports Keith Burch and Kazuki Okada made the difference, with Joel Nikolic’s injury time strike mere consolation for a side now winless in nine games and sitting just four points above the relegation zone.
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In the South-East, Langwarrin’s lead at the top was cut to seven points after Gus MacLeod’s men played out a 1-1 draw away to the Casey Comets. First-half goals from Andrew Stubley and Mat Luak ensured a share of the spoils as the chasing Caulfield United Cobras won 2-0 at Esther Park against last-placed Mooroolbark. Cort Kibler-Melby netted his tenth of the campaign just before the break while Oliver Daly was the other goalscorer for the Mike Kupinic-coached outfit.
Mornington are three points behind in third as goals either side of the break from Ryan Paczkowski and Sammy Orritt did the damage in a 2-0 away win over Clifton Hill.
South Springvale slipped into 11th and are subsequently in relegation danger after a heartbreaking 1-1 draw with Warragul United at Warner Reserve. Former Young Socceroos midfielder Bonel Obradovic handed the hosts a 14th minute lead only for Paul Cooper to level the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time as Aris’ regional opponents retained fourth place on the ladder.
Malvern City’s recent form continued after a comprehensive 3-1 triumph away to the Manningham United Blues. A double to Arthur Papadopoulos and a solitary strike from Trey O’Sullivan helped set the visitors on their way, with substitute Rudi Saglam scoring in the dying seconds of the game to give the Blues small consolation in defeat.
Morwell put last week’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Casey behind them to climb out of the relegation zone as Hamied Zamani’s seventh strike of the season three minutes from time sealed a precious three points at Elwood Park against St Kilda. Those results mean that just four points separate fourth from eleventh with a number of six-pointers set to come in the season’s final seven rounds.