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There were no surprises in this round of NPL action, instead Oakleigh kept up their unbeaten run while South Melbourne continued to win, while Heidelberg have stolen a march on everyone and jumped up to third.
Northcote followed up three defeats and three wins with a second straight loss (I wonder what happens next…) while Ballarat’s wheels fell off the wagon against Port Melbourne. There was also no joy for either Werribee or Pascoe Vale, while the Suns were brought back down to earth with a humbling defeat to Hume City.
Continue Reading > The Week That Was
Formation 4-3-1-2
GK: Tommy Dunn (Werribee City)
Tommy Dunn put in a solid display in his sides 1-1 draw with Pascoe Vale. With the scores sitting at 1-0 to Vale, Dunn made three remarkable saves in the space of 10 minutes to keep the game in reaching distance, allowing Josh Groenwald to make himself the hero. Dunn’s ability to command his area was also to his credit.
RB: Tim Mala (South Melbourne)
Mala is no stranger to the Team of the Week, having appeared in our very first edition. Continuing South’s strong contingent in recent weeks, the full back had a stellar game coming up against good opposition in Bentleigh, rarely beaten on the night.
CB: Steven Pace (Heidelberg United)
Ex-Victory man Steven Pace had a big game in defence as he marshalled the troops towards three points and a clean sheet. He held the defensive line well throughout the match and as such, managed to minimise the scoring opportunities Green Gully had.
CB: Petar Franjic (Hume City)
Another solid performance from Franjic who is looking like an inspired signing for Hume. He scored his sides opening goal, nodding home from a Nick Hegarty free kick whilst putting in a shift defensively, with the only goal conceded coming from the penalty spot for the Suns.
LB: Brad Norton (South Melbourne)
Another good performance from the young man Norton, whose delivery from wide areas on the weekend was first class. He troubled with his crosses and set pieces from deep, with the full back creating an abundance of chances, as well as doing his job defensively to nullify the Bentleigh forwards. Port Melbourne’s James Riccobene pushed hard for this spot.
CM: Matt Millar (Dandenong Thunder)
Matt Millar looks like a real NPL find, after yet another energetic display. His link up play with Marcus Schroen was strong all night, and his ability to drive and take on a man was a real plus. This culminated in his fantastic solo goal to open the scoring for the Thunder in which he drove through the middle of the pitch before sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
CM: Tyson Holmes (South Melbourne)
It’s been hard to stand in an impressive South’s side this season but Tyson Holmes finally gets the nod after his commanding display in their narrow victory over Bentleigh. He dictated play through the middle of the park and opened up the play well for his teammates well throughout the contest. He also had a couple of chances to score himself, but just couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net.
CM: Nick Hegarty (Hume City)
A goal and an assist for the Englishman, who unfortunately went down with a knee injury and looks set to miss eight weeks of football. As mentioned, he set up Franjic’s opener before sealing the game with a cool finish past keeper. Get well soon Nick!
CAM: Lambros Honos (Port Melbourne)
Honos makes it back to back appearances in our Team of the Week after finding himself on the bench last week. This time round he’s earned a starting berth after his superb display against Ballarat in which he controlled play effortlessly in the attacking half, creating opportunities aplenty for both himself and his teammates.
ICYMI > NPL Team of the Week Round 7
ST: Daniel Heffernan (Heidelberg United)
The undeniable star of the round, as the Heidelberg striker struck four times in his side’s 4-0 rout of Green Gully. His display of clinical finishing ensured a variety of goals went in, including a wonderful low strike from outside the box and a header to bring up the hat trick.
ST: Nicholas Krousoratis (Port Melbourne)
A brace for Krousoratis is just enough for the striker to squeeze into this week’s TOTW, with fellow forward Kamal Ibrahim impressing in equal measure. Krousoratis put two past a 10 man Ballarat in the dying stages of the game to put the contest to bed in their 4-0 win.
Substitutes:
Jason Saldaris (South Melbourne)
A decent performance from the big South Melbourne custodian who made some key first half saves to keep the game scoreless. He then made another sharp save late to deny Bentleigh’s Liam McCormick.
James Riccobene (Port Melbourne)
Riccobene will consider himself unlucky to miss out on a starting XI berth as the Port Melbourne full-back had a barnstorming game from the wide left position. His endeavour to get forward and deliver crosses was a standout of his game. He also linked well with Ibrahim on that left side, causing problems for Ballarat throughout.
Alan Mulcahy (Dandenong Thunder)
The midfielder has to settle for a spot on the bench this week, despite his solid display in his sides 3-1 win over the in-form Northcote City. Mulcahy laid on the assist for his sides second goal, and was a constant threat throughout the game with his smart passing.
Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
Bosnjak has had a breakthrough year in the NPL this season, with the young midfielder again finding himself in our Team of the Week. His performances have been consistent, and this week was no different as he created chances for teammates and got on the scoresheet himself via the penalty spot. Govas also had a decent game before being subbed on the hour mark.
Jonathan Voulgaris (Pascoe Vale)
Voulgaris scored Vale’s early opener with a neat finish in space, whilst also posing a constant threat to the Bee’s goal throughout the match. He also found himself on the end of a number of nasty challenges throughout the contest.
Special thanks to Adem Barolli (@adembarolli), Bill Molloy (@Bill_Molloy94), Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn), Rusty Wooder (@rustywoodger) and Shaun Moran (@moranshaun) for their opinions this week.