Image: St Albans
St Albans Saints are the new ladders in the West after Round 24 action, while such is the nature of the race that Whittlesea have dropped from top of the table to out of the promotion places in third place.
In the East, Dandenong Thunder made an emphatic title statement against Bendigo City, while Kingston continue to hang around with a hard fought win over Sunshine George Cross.
As it stands, St Albans are on 44 points (+16 GD), North Geelong on 43 alongside Whittlesea but with a better goal difference (+20 to +14), with Moreland Zebras and Melbourne City on 38 and 36 respectively.
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On Friday night, an early goal for Eastern Lions was enough to sink Moreland Zebras and really put a dent in their promotion hopes, sitting fourth in a disappointing scenario compared to last season’s second place finish.
Philip Ajao scored and ran over to the bench to celebrate with Munyaradzi Nyadzayo following his fifth minute goal, as the club legend departs overseas after seven years of service.
That would be it for goalscoring action either way, as Eastern enjoy a late season run.
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Dandenong Thunder made a resounding title statement with a 7-0 thumping of Bendigo City, a team which in recent times proved difficult for opposition to overcome.
No such problem for Thunder, which raced to a 4-0 lead by half time, Brandon Barnes the chief destroyer with all four goals.
The team didn’t let up there, with Barnes adding his fifth for the game and 40th for the season, while Sam Catherine, and Daniel Bennett also added to the rout.
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Kingston City remain hot on Thunder’s heels after overcoming Sunshine George Cross 3-2.
Simo Jovanovic opened the scoring for Kingston City in just the seventh minute.
George Cross equalized in the 18th minute via Nic Gonzalez, but again fell behind after a Damian Iaconis goal.
Zdenek Koukal’s effort on the stroke of half time looked to have sealed the game for Kingston, but Hernan Arredondo again pegged one back in the 54th minute to make it 3-2 and leave the final stages for City a nervous encounter.
However, they held on another vital three points in chase of the title.
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Whittlesea’s stuttering form continued by letting victory slip with a 2-2 draw at home to Brunswick City, who themselves continue a long unbeaten streak.
20 minutes into the game Andrew Le Page sent in a stunning free-kick that beat Luke Gallo in the top right corner to give Brunswick the lead.
Atilla Ofli would have his say his eight minutes later, turning a defender 40 yards out and hitting an even better effort to catch the keeper off his line with an effort reminiscent of some of the goals recently seen in the FFA Cup.
However, six minutes later the chance to take the lead went begging when a penalty kick from Ofli went over the bar.
That memory was erased in the 55th minute when a corner kick found Teddy Yabio for a headed goal and the eventual lead.
With both teams spurning chances at 2-1, it was Le Page with another free kick, which this time he squeezed in low past Gallo to equalise late at 2-2 and deliver a killer blow for Whittlesea.
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St Albans fought back from a goal down against Goulburn Valley Suns to take the lead in the West from Whittlesea.
Anthony Gaillard propelled his side into the front with his goal early, however at the half-hour mark it was Adrian Barresi who smashed the ball past the keeper for the equaliser.
A point wasn’t going to be enough, and in the 56th minute up stepped Rodrigo Covarrubias to put Dinamo in the lead for the first time in the contest.
That would be the way the game stayed, with a red card to Fahad Alghazaly reducing the Suns to 10-men late and making their task all the more difficult.
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North Geelong Warriors notched up another win to propel themselves to second place, overcoming a difficult opponent in Springvale White Eagles.
It took just seven minutes for Michael Anderson to score after converting a great cross from Nick Jurcic.
Springvale would have their equaliser just five minutes later from John Pykett, and that’s the way the scores remained until half time.
Yet after the break it was North Geelong taking the lead again, this time Kene Eze continuing his goalscoring form to make it 2-1.
Anderson then consolidated the lead with the eventual sealer, benefiting from good work by Eze up front to apply the finish for 3-1 and the three points.
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Werribee City were one of the better-performing sides of the second half of the season, but they had to overcome a plucky Nunawading on the road to win 4-2.
Dan Gathercole helped his side to an early lead
Djordje Aaleksic’s 41st minute effort looked to have gotten Werribee back on track, but Firaol Likassa once more got his side the advantage at the break.
However, a double salve from Shaun Weaver in the second period got the Bees on the front foot, and Domenico Marafioti’s late goal ballooned the scoreline out to 4-2.
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Murray United put in a good late-season showing against Ballarat but it wasn’t enough for the three points.
It was usual suspect Michael Trigger who had Ballarat up 1-0 in the first period with another top class 25-yeard effort.
It was one of Murray’s own standouts to equalise when Zac Walker netted just before the break.
However, Ballarat started well in the second half and a tap-in at the far post to Pat Karras saw the Red Devils take the lead at 2-1 and hold onto it.
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Melbourne City enjoyed a win over Box Hill United to keep their slim promotion hopes alive.
Stefan Zinni and Giuseppe Marafioti had City up 2-0 and looking good for their lead.
A Thomas Simos free kick for Box Hill later on acted as consolation for his side.
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Moreland City prevailed 2-1 over Dandenong City at home, although it didn’t necessarily look like it would be their day early.
City took the lead when Amir Osmancevic latched onto a long ball and applied the finish early.
Casey Thomas then had a penalty saved by Damir Salcin, who would see a rough challenge later in the contest and miss the second half.
Osman Kose equalised just before the break, however, with a header from close range.
Apai Ukuno then benefited from a through ball to run on goal and net the eventual winner in the second half.