In a unique round, six of the seven contests saw one side keep a clean sheet, including four 1-0 score line’s. Despite this stat, there were no scoreless draws. The sound defensive displays made choosing defenders a tough ask, though some teams had to battle harder than others to defend their goals. And then you get the Knights-Green Gully game, which ended 4-3 to the former, although both sides did technically keep a clean sheet in each half.
With some of the usual suspects at the top of the NPL goalscorers table having quieter weeks, it gave the opportunity for other players to fill their void on this week’s Team of the Week:
GK: Chris Theodoridis (Northcote City)
In an impressive display against 4th placed Heidelberg, the Northcote gloveman notched up a clean sheet and looked composed and confident throughout the contest. He made a few crucial saves on a poor surface, which can make life difficult for keepers, with the ball bobbling around inconsistently.
RB: Tom Matthews (Bentleigh Greens)
The right-back boasted a full complement of achievements on Friday, playing his defensive role in ensuring Bentleigh kept a clean sheet, but also getting forward and adding two goals of his own. The first strike was a bullet from outside the box, while the next was a volley from fellow team-of-the-weeker Jamie De Abreu’s delivery, finishing off a marauding run forward.
CB: Adrian Chiappetta (Northcote City)
The Northcote skipper led his side by example, commanding and organising his defense with distinction. Rarely beaten by his opponents, Chiappetta was also the launching pad for number of counter-attacks, playing out efficiently and precisely.
CB Michael Eagar (South Melbourne)
Michael Eager’s efforts may have flown under the radar for some, but not our match reporters. Solid and faultless, Eager contributed with the little one-percenters that win the coaches’ accolades. His crucial tackles, interceptions, and ability to force opposing players into turnovers kept Dandenong Thunder at bay.
LB: Phillip Petreski (Northcote City)
The second Northcote defender in the team, Petreski put in a hard-working shift on Sunday. He was defensively sound, rarely beaten on his wing, but also made a number of overlapping runs forward to link up with the attack. Showed great composure on a poor surface.
CM: Liam McCormick (Bentleigh Greens)
The winner of the third series of Football Superstar starred for Bentleigh with his classy passes, including an assist that was dubbed “one of the passes of the season” to find the run of Jamie De Abreu. McCormick’s vision and efficiency was excellent, rarely giving the ball away all day.
CM: Marijan Cvitkovic (Melbourne Knights)
The 2013 VPL Gold Medallist, like most of his teammates, did the damage in the first half against Green Gully, bagging a brace. The first goal, a fortuitous cross-cum-shot, evaded everybody. The second goal capped off good build up play from team-mate Visevic. Overall, Cvitkovic was a commanding force in the Knights’ midfield.
RAM: Jamie De Abreu (Bentleigh Greens)
De Abreu marked his return from injury with a bang, piling on a goal and two assists to be involved in three of the five Greens’ goals. Menacing all game, his 23rd minute strike was followed by a late cutback for Ryan De Vries to finish, and a 90th minute delivery for Tom Matthews to volley home.
CAM: Liam Wooding (Northcote City)
Northcote’s stalemate needed a hero and Wooding stepped up to the plate. Having already provided one of the goals of the season last week, he added another cracker on the stroke of half-time, picking up the ball on the edge of the area and curling in a long-range effort. Overall, Wooding was dangerous all game in attacking midfield.
LAM: Nelson Salvatore (Ballarat Red Devils)
Salvatore was causing 5th placed Hume City problems all game with his burst of pace, poise and skill, running at defenders and drawing men onto him. Almost had two assists to Paul Harvey and Simon Murphy, but nonetheless played a vital role in the Devils’ crucial win in its bid to avoid relegation.
ST: Matthew Sanders (Green Gully)
Not often will the scorer of two of his side’s three goals be on the wrong end of a result, but that’s exactly the unfortunate Matthew Sanders and Green Gully sit this week. Down 4-0 at half time, Sanders sparked Gully’s revival, pouncing on two errors in the Knights’ defence to halve the Knight’s lead. Almost had a hat trick if not for Michael O’farrell’s fingertip save onto the crossbar.
Substitutes:
Chris Maynard (South Melbourne)
South Melbourne’s ‘keeper was tidy all game, making solid saves when called upon. Was well protected by his back four, who minimised the ‘keeper’s required involvement in the game.
Adrian Talarico (Pascoe Vale)
Unlucky to miss out on a starting berth, Talarico helped consign bottom placed Goulburn Valley Suns to guaranteed relegation. While his defensive display was outstanding, he also popped up in attack with a goal of his own, and had another chance to add to his tally saved.
Stipo Andrijasevic (Melbourne Knights)
Andrijasevic got the ball rolling for the Knights in just the second minute, capitalising on a poor back pass. Almost sealed the game late in the contest with a strike from close range, but was denied by Gully ‘keeper Kieran Gonzalez’s wonderful save. The striker can share his place in the side with Daniel Visevic, Shayad Alijenad, and 16-year-old Jordan O’Doherty, who all provided goals or assists in the first half.
Paul Harvey (Ballarat Red Devils)
The inspired mid-season signing from Bulleen could be the decisive factor in keeping Ballarat in the state’s top division, continuing his hot form with the game’s solitary goal. Just the goal-scorer that coach James Robinson needs to complement his defensive focus.
Tyson Holmes (South Melbourne)
Holmes makes the side for his consistency, making great clean passes and looked classy throughout the contest. Like a metronome, he kept his side ticking at times in advanced positions.
Special thanks goes out to Brandon Galgano (@bgalgano94), Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan), Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10), Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_) and The Corner Flag’s Agron Dauti for their assistance.