Image: Northcote City
Before the weekend there were four points separating leaders Northcote City and a pack of four including Moreland Zebras, Moreland City, Brunswick City and Sunshine George Cross. But following the weekend’s action, there have been gaps growing at the top of the table – and the bottom too following Werribee City’s win over Bendigo.
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It was a chance to showcase either side’s promotion credentials, and Northcote came out on top to claim a narrow 2-1 and extend their lead at the top, though Whittlesea had a late chance to lock up the scores in a tight encounter.
The opener came in the 16th minute when a long ball from Griffin McMaster wasn’t dealt with by the Whittlesea defence, with Alec Goodwin pouncing and cutting back to James Papadimitriou for the finish.
Yet by half an hour the scores were level when Danny Charalambous’ delivery into the box was controlled by Tommy Barforosh, who was adjudged by the referee to have been impeded. He made no mistake in stepping up to the spot and putting the penalty away.
After the break Matthew Whatley had his second goal in three weeks, punishing the visitors who couldn’t clear their lines following a corner.
James Papadimitriou thought he had the game killed off at 3-1 but he was called offside, and Goodwin and Anthony Taranto also had late chances to finish off proceedings but were thwarted by Daniel Petrovski, who was facing off against his old side.
It left Daniel Peluso with an opportunity to claim a dramatic equaliser in the 95th minute, but McMaster pulled off an important save to preserve the 2-1 scoreline.
It continued a positive week for Northcote after knocking out NPL outfit North Geelong in the FFA Cup, and the opposite for Whittlesea who lost to SL1 side Banyule City.
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Moreland City completed a remarkable turnaround against Ballarat City to take second place for the week, clawing back from a half-time deficit to romp home with Trent Rixon being the chief destroyer.
Apai Ukuno should have had the hosts up 1-0 when he controlled Osman Kose’s cross but couldn’t make it count from close range albeit on an angle.
Ballarat made them pay a minute later when Dom Swinton volleyed in Michael Trigger’s delivery to give the visitors the lead instead.
Trent Rixon came on before half time for Keil O’Brien and his introduction made all the difference as after the break he rewound the clock.
His first goal came in the 49th minute by beating goalkeeper Josh Dorron to a cross following a throw-in.
Lisandro Paz added the second and gave Moreland the lead with an effort from outside the 18-yard box that nestled into the bottom left corner of the net.
In the 84th it was Rixon with his second, heading in from close range via Ben Osei-Safo’s cross.
On the break in added time, the experienced striker secured his hat-trick on the break to cap off a brilliant day for him and his teammates.
It made up for a disappointing league defeat to Murray United a fortnight prior and continued on from a positive FFA Cup win against top-flight club St Albans.
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Sunshine blew a golden opportunity to keep in touch with the top sides with a defeat to Melbourne Victory, who now have their second win for the season.
Victory were without the likes of Christian Theoharous, Callum Hope, Cameron McGilp, Stefan Nigro, and George Howard, all on senior duty against Brisbane Roar.
Sunshine meanwhile were without Nepalese international Jagajeet Shrestha, and that seemed to have the bigger impact as going forward proved to be a difficulty for George Cross.
Victory had the ball in the back of the net early but Pierce Waring, one of the players in Victory’s extended senior squad before being omitted, was called offside.
Jonathan Vakirtzis fires another warning shot on goal which was saved by Robert Santilli.
However he coudn’t keep out a header from substiture Andrew Visciglio, who netted the winner in the 83rd minute.
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Moreland Zebras remain in touch in third place, and do have a game in hand, following their 2-0 win over Brunswick City.
It were the usual suspects doing the damage for the Zebras, with Regsan Watkins opening the scoring when Nic Niagioran had a shot saved by Seb Mattei.
The two combined again when Watkin’s cross was converted into a goal by Niagioran, his looping header marking his first league goal in Zebras colours and just reward for his efforts up front.
Andre Janesse had a good game in goals and, combined with the hosts’ defensive efforts, Brunswick couldn’t find their way through.
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Werribee City finally have a win on the board, jumping above Ballarat on the ladder and extending the deficit at the bottom after beating cellar-dwellers Bendigo City.
Both were the last remaining winless sides entering the round, and Werribee had the visitor’s measure via goals to Rob Naumoski and Djorde Aleksic early in the first and second halves respectively, taking on the goalscoring responsibilities in Jonathan Voulgaris’ absence.
A missed penalty and Donte Thomas’ catalogue of saves kept the scoreline from ballooning out for the visitors.
