Image: David Mullins Sports Photography
With two rounds to go it’s advantage St Albans who now have a three-point lead as the only top-three side to claim a win on the weekend after seeing off Sunshine George Cross 1-0.
North Geelong spurned numerous chances – including a penalty – as they were held to a scorless draw by Moreland City, while Whittlesea Ranges lost to Moreland Zebras, who mathematically keep their promotion hopes alive.
Melbourne City also remain in the hunt after winning a shootout 5-3 over Werribee City.
In a lowkey contest at Churchill reserve, apart from a big save from Alex Baird early, a set-piece goal did the trick for St Albans at a point in the season where any type of win, regardless of how scrappy, is a good win.
It came five minutes before the break when Joey Monek provided another goalscoring contribution, with his corner kick finding Ryan McGuffie who emphatically headed the ball home – his ninth goal of the season at a rate of better than one every three games.
That was the way the game stayed, with chances otherwise at a premium for both sides.
There were no goals at Elcho Park but not for a lack of trying as it just wasn’t North Geelong’s day with the ball seemingly unable to find the back of the net.
Kieran McDowell also proved to be a big stumbling block, making a number of stops, including one early when Vito Cichello had a shot from outside the box that forces the custodian into a save.
The chances continued to build especially in the second when the likes of Kene Eze and Matt Thorne couldn’t take advantage of good opportunities.
Then came a 90th minute penalty which the Warriors thought was going to be their avenue to a crucial three points, but McDowell denied Matt Townley with a superb dive to his right to make the save, frustrating his opponents a final time.
Only one goal was shared by the top three as Whittlesea Ranges were held scoreless in a 1-0 defeat to Moreland Zebras.
One of the great enigmas of the league, the Zebras beat the Ranges, who last week beat Murray United, who this week went on to defeat Eastern Lions, who just last week defeated the Zebras.
Regardless of that sequence of results, the game was heading towards a scoreless draw, but an Andrew Milicevic red card seemed to have an effect on the game.
Not having Naum Sekulovski due to a red card the week prior didn’t help, and a Joshua Sabidussi goal in the 85th minute did the trick for Moreland, the hosts walking away with the 1-0 win.
The Zebras would need to however rely on North Geelong to drop all their points, hope City don’t pick up points either, and make up a mammoth goal difference for any chance of promotion.
Melbourne City picked up an important three points to stay four points behind North Geelong with two games remaining.
Despite Werribee taking the lead twice, City rallied and ended up running out 5-3 winners.
A brace to Connor Metcalfe, singles to Mehdi Sarwari and Yusuf Ahmed, plus an own goal cancelled out goals to Werribee’s usual suspects in Ben Mammone, Jonathan Voulgaris and Shaun Weaver.
The last game was essentially a dead rubber between Bendigo and Ballarat, with the former taking out the Goldfields derby.
Bendigo City enjoyed a 2-1 defeat of the Ballarat Red Devils at Morshead Park.
Dave King had a couple of early chances but Bendigo struck first through Godwill Basha.
Basha then set up fellow striker Matt Sporle with a cross and the scores were 2-0.
Pat Karras then scores from a scramble in the box after a Mitrovic shot saved for 1-2.
Despite opportunities to the likes of Romein, George, and King later on, Bendigo were able to hold on for their fourth win of the campaign.
Ladder:
St Albans: 50 points, +19 goal difference
North Geelong: 47, +22
Whittlesea: 46, +14
Melbourne City: 43, +25
Moreland Zebras: 41, +10