NPL Victoria
It was another exciting round of action in Victoria’s premier division, with three of the big guns (South Melbourne, Bentleigh, Melbourne Knights) winning away from home, whilst newcomers Avondale got a first draw of the season. The biggest news came in the game between Oakleigh and Hume, with Cannons player Ben Clarke suffering a serious head injury, forcing the match to be abandoned.
Pascoe Vale 2 (Ferrante 3′, Nakic 14′) defeated by Northcote City 3 (Gasparis 8′, Yousseff [OG] 20′, Kalafatidis 41′) at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner.
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Pascoe Vale are wondering how they are still pointless. Michael Ferrante put the home side one up from the spot, before Marino Gasparis tapped home for 1-1. Jake Nakic restored the lead for Pascoe Vale after just 14 minutes, in a frenetic start to the contest. The scores were level again soon after, with home captain Joseph Youseff deflecting a Gasparis shot into his own net. City scored the winner four minutes before half time, with James Kalafatidis the scorer. Davey Van’t ship had the best chance of the second half but fired over the bar, helping City take their first win of the season.
Avondale FC 0 drew with Port Melbourne 0 at Avondale Heights Reserve, Avondale Heights
Avondale earned their first point of the season with a tough draw against the Sharks. FC almost took the lead halfway through the opening half, however Chris Irwin was unable to take advantage of Simon Tolli’s pinpoint pass, striking the post. Stjepan Gal then denied Irwin after the break. Port did have the ball in the net on 50 minutes, but Brent Fisher was adjudged offside. Gal also denied Jonathan Munoz from a free kick before the action died down. Port had a chance to win it at the death, only for Frazer Siddall to be the hero, denying Erhan Yalaz to secure a draw.
North Geelong defeated By Melbourne Knights 1 (Barisic 72’) at Elcho Park, Geelong
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The first competitive meeting between these two sides at state league level saw Big brother Croatia come out on top. In an uneventful opening half, the best chance fell to Knights talisman Andrew Barisic, who found himself with only Daniel Zilic to beat, but was denied by the Warriors keeper. The forward would have the last laugh though, latching onto a ball from Adrian Zahra before sending a trickling shot and wrong footing Zilic, to send the away support home happy.
Dandenong Thunder 2 (Petko 62’, Faisal Sakhi Zada 94’) defeated by Green Gully 5 (Muriqi 39’, Abdigafar 41’, Sanders 47’, Blumgart 65’, Scott 90’) at George Andrews Reserve
Following their mid-week embarrassment against North Geelong, Gully got back to winning ways in style, going ahead through Rinor Muriqi via the spot, before Omar Abdigafar made it two goals close to half time. Gully continued on their scoring frenzy, going three up through Matthew Sanders. Thunder pulled one back through Adam Petko, but three minutes later Alon Blumgart made it four for the visitors, with Liam Scott completing the rout late in the second half. Faisal Sakhi Zada grabbed a consolation for Dandenong in the shadows of full time.
Werribee City 1 (Julian Cassano 67’) defeated by South Melbourne 2 (Iqi Jawadi 13’, Nick Epifano 33’) at Galvin Park.
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South remain undefeated this season thanks to a strong start against the Bees. Iqi Jawadi’s curling effort was too good for Werribee keeper Frano Saric after 13 minutes. South proceeded to dominate the contest, deservedly doubling their lead through a Nick Epifano strike twenty minutes after. The second half was a different story however, with sub Cassano gifting the home side hope midway through. City nearly stole a point from the champions with the final chance of the game, as Steven Cudrig saw his header hit the crossbar. South then held on for the three points.
Heidelberg United 1 (Heffernan 39’) defeated by Bentleigh Greens 3 (De Abreu 65’, McCormick 86’, Lucas 91’) at Olympic Village
A strong second half saw the Greens take the spoils. An audacious strike from danger man Dan Heffernan, after noticing Alistair Bray off his line, gave United the lead going into the break. The home side had to play the last 30 minutes with ten men however, as Reuben Way was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Jamie De Abreu then equalized for Bentleigh, who took the initiative with the extra player. With four minutes to play, Luke Pilkington picked out Liam McCormick, who headed home. Chris Lucas added insult to injury in added time, sealing a huge win for Bentleigh.
Hume City v Oakleigh Cannons: Match Abandoned.
With just 23 minutes played, a major collision between Oakleigh striker Ben Clarke and Hume keeper Chris Oldfield resulted in the former suffering from a suspected head injury. It forced the game to be stopped for 20 minutes as staff waited for Ambulances to arrive, before the match was officially called off. A date for the replay has yet to be determined.
The players and staff at Hume City would like to wish @oakcannonsfc‘s Ben Clarke a speedy recovery! #PS4NPLVIC
— Hume City (@FCHumeCity) March 8, 2015
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NPL 1 East Follow @AhmedYussuf10
Richmond 2 (Knight 86′, 91′) defeated Nunawading City 1 (Giannopoulos 16′) at Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Richmond began the round rock bottom on the NPL1 East table after a less than impressive start against Goulburn Valley a week ago. And when they went behind against Nunawading City their fortunes didn’t look like changing. City was able to control the proceedings in the opening half, finding a goal within the first 20 minutes after a neatly finished move from Anthony Giannopoulos. But Richmond was saved at the death with two late goals from Joshua Knight in the dying minutes of the second half to propel the side to fifth place in the table.
Dandenong City 1 (Seavill 56’) drew with Melbourne Victory 1 (Nigro 85’) at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
New boys on the NPL1 block Melbourne Victory found it difficult to adjust to the rigours of state league football early on. Both Victory and Dandenong City underwhelmed for the most part in the first half, unable to make the most of their chances. However, City found some joy in the restart, taking the lead within the first ten minutes of the second half. City weren’t able to capatalise on their later chances with Keegan Ziada missing a volleyed effort to double their lead. In the final minutes Victory would pounce, with Stefan Nigro tucking away a Lucas Derrick cross to equalise.
Springvale White Eagles 0 defeated by Box Hill United 1 (Johns 59′) at White Eagles Stadium
Box Hill United’s impressive away record continued with six out of a possible nine since the start of this season’s NPL1 East. A lone goal from Lucas Johns was enough to grab all three points in a tense encounter against Springvale White Eagles, as Box Hill work their way up the table. Johns’ effort from outside the box was the highlight of the 90 minutes as chances weren’t aplenty at White Eagle Reserve.
Goulburn Valley Suns 7 (Ellis 34’ 41’ 77’, Kane 40’, Carley 70’ 90’, Alghazaly 30’) defeated Murray United 1 (Walker 73’) at John McEwen Reserve
Goulburn Valley Suns are on a scoring bonanza, with over ten goals in two games against NPL1 East opposition. GV Suns walloped a hapless Murray United with two players, Sean Ellis and Craig Carley, doing the bulk of the damage with five goals between them. Capping off the result were singles to Shaun Kane and Fahad Alghazaly. Zac Walker slotted home a consolation for Murray in the Regional Derby. According to coach Nick Kalafatis, The Suns barely broke a sweat as they picked apart their opposition, as United were unable to stop the GV Suns juggernaut.
Eastern Lions 4 (Toumanidis 20’, Ellis 32’ Razuki 45’, 70’) defeated Kingston City 2 (De Smit 7’, Iaconis 65’) at Gardiners Creek Reserve
Eastern Lions continued on from their positive run, routinely beating Kingston City 4-2. The Lions were made to work for their result, initially coming from behind after Kingston scored within the first ten minutes of the game. But a Yianni Toumanidis goal was to be the catalysts for the Lions’ turn in fortunes, scoring another two goals less than 20 minutes apart. Kingston attempted a comeback of their own but Damian Iaconis had his 65th minute goal chalked off. Ziggy Razuki then completed his brace five minutes later.
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NPL 1 West Follow @JordanLim24
Sunshine George Cross 0 defeated by FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Nishimoto 31’) at Chaplin Reserve
Takanori Nishimoto was to thank for a narrow 1-0 win for Bulleen Lions over Sunshine George Cross to open the NPL 1 West round. The Japanese creative force continued on with his good 2014 form, adding his second goal of the season with a tidy first time finish in the box. The Georgies had their fair share of chances, but were unable to break through the wall that was Matt Banovac in goals.
Brunswick City 0 defeated by Bendigo City 3 (Rees 41′, Basha 61′, 88′) at Dunstan Reserve
Despite the bloated scoreline, Brunswick performed admirably in their 3-0 loss to Bendigo City, with the visitors keeper Giovanne D’Oria kept incredibly busy throughout the contest. Their first goal on the eve of half time was a fortuitous one as Daniel Rees’ cross managed to float into the net. D’Oria made a stunning save early in the second half to keep it at 1-0 before Godwill Basha extended the Bendigo lead. Brunswick then managed to win a penalty, but were halted again by D’Oria who made a super save. Basha then iced the result with a late sealer.
Melbourne City 2 (Marino 34,’ Millar 79’) drew with Moreland City 2 (Richards 35,’ Kose 38’) at JL Murphy Reserve
A frantic five minutes of football set up a tantalising clash as NPL 1 West debutants Melbourne City fought back for a share of the spoils against Moreland City. Late on in the first half, the lead exchanged hands, as Marc Marino delicately placed past Moreland shot-stopper Brandon Galgano for 1-0.
The goal sparked a fire in the belly of the visitors as they came back through Gareth Richards, who first chipped keeper Yaren Sozer, before playing a role in their second goal. Richards’ powerful strike forced a spill from Sozer, with Osman Kose on hand to tap home. City’s equaliser came in fortuitous fashion as a poor back pass saw Galgano clear into former Thunder man Millar and into the goal.
Ballarat Red Devils 0 defeated by St Albans Saints 5 (McGuffie 9’, Scerri 25’ 60’, Waterson 71’, Devlin 90+3’) at Morshead Park
The relegated Ballarat can’t take a trick at the minute as St Albans delivered a footballing master class in their 5-0 victory at Morshead Park. Ryan McGuffie and Nicholas Scerri gave the away side a two-goal lead heading into half time, before they ramped up their output in the second term. Scerri added a second as he tapped home into an empty net, before Trent Waterson and defender Barry Devlin compounded the Red Devils’ misery with a fourth and fifth.
St Albans have now piled on nine goals unanswered to start the NPL 1 West season and look a strong chance for promotion this year.
Moreland Zebras 2 (McMonagle-Ihasz 15′, Charalambous 69′) drew with Whittlesea Ranges 2 (Iuliano 40′, Nour 90+8’) at CB Smith Reserve
There’s late drama, then there’s Whittlesea Ranges’ stunning 98th minute goal against Moreland Zebras to earn a share of the spoils. Substitute Sami Nour was on hand to profit from a poor clearance, to nab the latest of late equalisers for Whittlesea, to continue their unbeaten start to 2015. They twice had to come from behind as Moreland’s Joshua McMonagle-Ihasz hit a stunner off the post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes. Matthew Iuliano calmly slotted home a penalty to restore parity before Danny Charalambous put Moreland back in front following a goalmouth scramble. It was then left to Whittlesea’s Nour to make himself a hero with his last-gasp goal.
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WPL
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FC Bulleen Lions 2 (Lay 58′, 71′) defeated South Yarra 0 at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
Plucky newcomers South Yarra fared a bit better than promoted partners Caulfield, taking their pre-season thrashing to Bulleen on board and set up to stifle their more fancied opponents in the midfield. It worked for a whole half as Bulleen struggled to put away their chances. Cindy Lay opened the scoring in the 58th minute directly via a corner kick which evaded everybody and curled into the net. Lay then sealed the contest with her brace, which came after good build-up work from Eleni Fakos and Beattie Goad.
Box Hill United 1 (Brush 86′) drew with Bundoora United 1 (Barilla 63′) at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
This was more of a cagey contest, with neither side able to fashion a clear-cut chance in the first half, despite Box Hill looking the sharper side. The opener in the second half therefore came somewhat against the run of play when Enza Barilla capitalised on a defensive error to break through on goal and score a screamer from distance. Box Hill kept pushing an earned a deserved equaliser when Ellie Brush marauded into the box and picked up a lobbed pass, finishing with a low shot past the ‘keeper.
South Melbourne 3 (Howes 53′, Dudley Smith 68′, Eliadis 90+1′) defeated Senior NTC 1 (Harbis 75′) at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
Brittany Dudley-Smith was in top form at her new club, firing a warning shot in the first half with an effort that rattled the crossbar. Erin Hudson was punished in the second half by Carol Howes, who pounced on the ‘keeper’s clearance to chip back over her head for the opener. Dudley-Smith was rewarded for her efforts with a goal in the 68th minute, notably assisted by Natalie Martineau in her new fullback role. Emily Harbis pegged one back for NTC with a wonder hit from the left flank which rebounded in off the post, before Tiffany Eliadis killed off the contest in added time with a stunning 30-yard free kick.
Casey Comets 0 defeated by Heidelberg United 3 (16’ Nicolaci, 23’ Eudes, 63’ Ayton) at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
Last year’s grand finalists struck twice within the opening 25 minutes to set the tone for the rest of the contest. Julia Nicolaci struck first after Adelyn Ayton held her run and assisted the former, before Maggie Eudes converted a close range chance following Bonnie Barnes’ delivery into the box. Ayton rounded off the contest in the 63rd minute after Nicolaci returned the favour with an assist of her own – a cross that was powerfully volleyed home.
Caulfield Cobras 1 (Kane 80′) defeated by Sandringham Soccer Club 7 (Runnals 11′, Westwood 13′ 23′ 46′, Gibney 29′ 48′, Fogarty 82′) at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
After three successive promotions, Caulfield experienced a harsh initiation into the WPL, suffering a result that resembled a rugby scoreline. With goals coming at regular intervals for Sandringham, Nicola Westwood completed a hat-trick, Annabelle Gibney had a brace, and Runnalls scored a single before Caulfield mustered a consolation through Amy Kane. Sienna Fogarty added Sandringham’s seventh goal before full time.
Ashburton United 1 (Cloepfil 55’) drew with Boroondara Eagles 1 (Jensen 71’) at Broadmeadows Valley Park | Report
A new look star-studded Ashburton couldn’t put away a resilient Boroondara, with both sides settling for a hard-fought draw. Ashburton took the lead when Melina Ayres picked up a raking pass from Jess Kotsikas, and while her attempted squaring ball was palmed away by Anna Lanning in goals, in popped American import Gerogia Cloepfil for the easy-tap in.
NTC graduate Sky Jensen made her mark at Boroondara by earning an equaliser, looping in a header from a corner in the 71st minute, with the scores unchanged for the remainder of the contest.