Image: Smile for Peter
The final positioning of the NPL Victoria ladder was confirmed last night with the automatic relegation of Northcote City and the scheduling of the finals series.
After winning the VPL title three years ago, a slow start saw Northcote fall behind the pace in 2016 and despite a late flurry, were unable to survive the drop.
Bulleen finished 11th after a strong win, while Richmond will now look forward to a pro-rel playoff after finishing 12th.
Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United will enjoy a week off as finishing top two respectively.
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Hume City slumped to another disappointing defeat after losing to Port Melbourne recently to ensure the Sharks’ safety, with their defeat to Bulleen also securing the Lions’ survival.
Theo Markelis had a few efforts on goal early, volleying a Jeremy Walker cross and heading Craig Carley’s cross with both efforts saved by Griffin McMaster.
Yet at the other end it was Taka Nishimoto with a header on target and Bulleen had the lead.
The adage that a team is most vulnerable after scoring was far from the truth as Sami Nour added the second goal minutes later following good build-up involving Matteo Ballan, Nishimoto and Josh Barresi.
Carley had a goal chalked off in the 65th minute following a Markelis cross for offside, and that’s as close as Hume got to equalising as Bulleen held on for the win that secured outright safety in 2016.
Congrats to @FCBulleenLions on securing safety in the @nplvictoria for another season. #PS4NPLVIC pic.twitter.com/7AuzoMpDk9
— Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10) August 21, 2016
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Richmond SC went into their clash with Avondale on the back of their 20s side claiming the championsip
Earlier today our U20’s sealed the U20 #PS4NPLVIC title with a 4-1 win over @AvondaleHSC84
A 20th minute free kick from Geerd Roorda found Williams, but his header missed high. At the other end, Tony Foglia was forced to makes an incredible save to deny Germano from close range just moments later.
The game turned at the half hour mark when Nic Niagioran was felled in the box, with Jake Barker-Daish stepping up to score from the spot.
The half lasted all of 45+8 minutes when injuries to Yango, Lambert and Williams led to time delays and substitutions.
Avondale equalises through Oleksiy Khapko in the second half, with the Ukranian-born forward continuing his strong end to the season.
Roorda and Alex Caniglia had later chances to no avail, however it didn’t matter as 12th spot was stitched up following Northcote’s defeat.
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Northcote succumbed to defeat at Jack Edwards Reserve to an Oakleigh side looking to secure a home finals berth.
The first half flew by without a goal, characterised by Northcote pressing the Cannons’ backline and Crowley trying to hassle the ball off keeper John Honos.
When the hosts broke through, Goran Zoric had a good effort to score but was thwarted by Phil Petrovski, and the Cannons missed a few chances by overcooking the final pass or shot.
The second half scoring was opened by Dimi Hatzimouratis who headed home from point-blank range following a pinpoint cross, the atmosphere subdued at Jack Edwards.
A second dagger was struck by Dusan Bosnjak following a corner when the ball landed at his feet and he struck a goal in off the post.
The final nail in the coffin was netted by Bosnjak following a string of passes in the forward-line, capping off the 3-0 win and Northcote’s relegation.
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At the other end of the table, Bentleigh Greens finally hoisted the premier’s plate after a few weeks’ delay after seeing off Port Melbourne 4-1
Dion Kirk’s penalty was saved only for Ryan Paczkowski to net the rebound, and while Alec Goodwin equalised, Paczkowski soon had his second goal.
In the second half Ross Archibald headed home from a corner to add the third, with youngster Fin Olsen coming off the bench to net the fourth.
It proved to be coach Eric Vassiliadis’ last game, who announced his departure on Twitter afterwards.
Bentleigh Greens will face Edgeworth Eagles in the national NPL finals series and will have the week off in NPL Victoia finals.
Heidelberg United consolidated second spot and a week off with a 4-1 win over cellar dwellers Melbourne Victory.
Archie Thompson wasn’t on hand to face his old side, but Sean Ellis did the damage with a cracking free kick early, for Les Doumbalis got forward and added the second.
Lucas Derrick pegged one back, but that’s as good as it got for Victory as Kenny Athiu and an own goal added to the 4-1 scoreline.
South Melbourne continued their strong end to the season with their third consecutive victory, this time over Green Gully at Lakeside.
They didn’t have it all their way early when Evan Christodoulou opened the scoring for Gully with the visitors holding a 1-0 lead at half time.
South sprung into life as a Milos Lujic double and singles to Kristian Konstantinidis and Marcus Schroen blew out the scoreline, before Lewis Shannon got one back as a consolation.
The Knights’ form away from the FFA Cup continued to be on the decline, losing 2-1 at home to Pascoe Vale, with both sides playing out a dead rubber due to their mid-table status.
Goals to Matthew Lazarides and Luka Prelevic cancelled out James McGarry’s effort as Pascoe Vale finished off a strong end to the season.
The finals series will kick off this Friday as Oakleigh host Green Gully at Jack Edwards Reserve, while South Melbourne will host Hume City at Lakeside on Sunday evening.