It was an NPL Victoria round that saw a few vital results that may determine the final ladder positions for the season. Most importantly, South Melbourne kept the buffer at the top at seven points, taking care of Northcote City after Oakleigh dispatched Bentleigh Greens earlier in the round. Werribee City won a huge six-pointer over Ballarat, who now look most likely for the drop. Port Melbourne and Dandenong also earned vital points for their survival plights.
Pascoe Vale 0 drew with Dandenong Thunder 0 at Hosken Reserve
The scoreless draw suited both sides, with Pascoe Vale needing a point to guarantee survival, while Dandenong Thunder would be happy with an away point to also claw them closer to avoiding relegation.
Dandenong started brighter, with Yaren Sozer forced into two saves by Ramazan Tavsancioglu and Kieran Dover. The hosts settled, and Jake Nakic and Adrian Talarico then missed chances down the other end. The second half was all Dandenong, with Kris Kioussis, Michael Millar and Ilir Pali threatening, but nobody could put on the finishing touches for the visitors
Bentleigh Greens 1 defeated by Oakleigh Cannons 4 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Four goals in the opening 30 minutes wrapped up the result for Oakleigh, amazingly ensuring it has remained unbeaten against Bentleigh for over 10 and a half years.
The first goal fell to Dean Piemonte, who seemed to slice Ari Ritz’s ball from a counter-attack into the net. Nate Foster then finished off a slick one-two move with Goran Zoric to double the advantage. The Canadian attacker was then felled in the box for Piemonte to secure a brace from the penalty spot. John Black scrambled the fourth home after a number of failed clearances from a corner
Bentleigh netted a 37th minute consolation – if you can call it that – through Jack Webster, who scored a rebound off Liam McCormick’s saved header. The second half saw Oakleigh take its foot off the pedal and absorb Bentleigh’s possession.
Green Gully 1 defeated by Port Melbourne 2 at Green Gully Reserve
Port Melbourne secured a vital three points to help their push for safety, defeating fellow strugglers Green Gully. The hosts again shot themselves in the foot early, conceding two goals in the first half to be forced to fight back and again fall just short of an equaliser.
Former Melbourne Heart youngster Kamal Ibrahim opened the scoring when he beat Victory counterpart Roddy Vargas with fancy footwork, before smashing the ball into the net. Nicky McNamara added a second goal just minutes later from 30 yards. He scored another cracking goal via a diving header, albeit down the wrong end into his own net, gifting Gully a glimmer of hope. The hosts huffed and puffed but were unable to find an equaliser, with an amazing moment coming when Stjepan Gal tipped a Stephen Downes free kick onto the post, before denying Osagie Ederaro on the rebound.
Ballarat Red Devils 1 defeated by Werribee City 2 at Morshead Park
This six pointer went the way of Werribee City, with the Bees exacting revenge on the Red Devils after their defeat in the reverse fixture three weeks ago.
Despite Ballarat dominating possession and territory, inspired mid-season signing Simon Tolli was clinical on the break for Werribee, latching onto a long ball from Simon Zappia and scoring, before adding another after a turnover from Ballarat’s restart.
Danny O’Donnell scored a headed goal just after the restart and Ballarat continued to pile on the pressure, which Ballarat managed to sit back and absorb for the remainder of the contest.
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Melbourne Knights 3 defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 0 at Knights Stadium
Three first half goals capped a regulation victory for the Knights over bottom placed suns. Michael Doyle opened the scoring from a corner in the 12th minute, before Marijan Cvitkovic nodded home a Shayan Alinejad cross. Milan Batur chested a corner goal just before half time, rounding off the afternoons scoring with none coming off the boot.
It could’ve been much more for the Knights if not for a hat-trick of shots into the woodwork in the first period. The side eased off in the second half, in preparation for its Dockerty Cup clash with south Springvale.
Hume City 0 defeated by Heidelberg United 2 at Broadmeadows Valley Park
Chris Oldfield could only do so much to hold off a rampant Heidelberg, pulling off a number of top saves to keep his side in the contest.
Dan Heffernan did the damage for the Bergers, finally breaking the deadlock in the 67th minute after being in the right place at the right time to finish off some top build up play from Andrew Cartanos. With time running out, the second most prolific goalscorer in the competition headed in a Zane Sole cross.
South Melbourne 2 defeated Northcote City 1 at Lakeside Stadium
As close as Oakleigh get to South Melbourne, the Lakeside team keep kicking clear, brushing aside Northcote City 2-1.
The hosts made the most of early pressure when Milos Lujic put away a Tyson Holmes cross. Northcote squared the ledger through Marino Gasparis. However, South Melbourne did what South Melbourne do, scoring the winner through Lujic, who latched onto substitute Matt Theodore’s first touch off the bench.
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NPL fixtures wrapped up by Mark Gojszyk (@hahahamark)
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No surprises this week in the WPL as the usual suspects ensured results went mostly as expected. Bundoora United came away with a hard fought 2-0 win over Casey, while South Melbourne did it a bit easier against Ashburton, racing to a 3-0 lead before eventually settling for a 3-1 scoreline.
The bigger shocks of the round came through Heidelberg and Boroondara, with the former blowing away Box Hill United 5-0 in a contest many would’ve predicted to go to the wire. The Eagles on the other hand so nearly succumbed to a resilient Monbulk, but the second place side eventually ran out 2-1 winners thanks to some Alex Gummer magic.
The round then finalised with a see-sawing contest which saw Sandringham and Bulleen play out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Bundoora United 2 defeated Casey Comets 0 at Hillsview Recreation Reserve
Bundoora have just about booked their place in the finals after a hard fought win over the resurgent Casey Comets. The away side provided a good contest for Bundy, who took just over half an hour to break the deadlock through Enza Barilla.
The tricky forward was on the receiving end of some textbook wing play by Padiki Dade who stormed to the byline before whipping in a perfect delivery.
With the game proving to be a nervy affair, Elly Curo ridded the tension building on the sidelines with an 85th minute sealer.
The win shifts Bundy up to fourth place, four points of Boroondara in second.
South Melbourne 3 defeated Ashburton Womens 1 at Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne secured a vital 3-1 win over Ashburton, which puts the ladder-leaders one win away from the minor premiership.
The in-form outfit were on top from the get go and it paid dividends in the form of three first half goals.
Unbackable favourite for the golden boot Tiff Eliadis netted two in quick succession, followed by a further strike to Tiejen Hussein, set up by the hard work of Laura Spiranovic.
While they weren’t able to go on with their fast start, they did hang on for the points, despite Ashy nabbing a consolation goal through Rachel Jarvis 15 minutes from time.
Heidelberg United 5 defeated Box Hill 0 at Olympic Village
Only three points separated the two sides before kick-off at Heidelberg but by the end of the 90 minutes, you wouldn’t have picked it. Box Hill were played off the park by a rampant Warriors outfit.
The harsh truth was it could’ve been worse for Box Hill, who saw a number of gilt-edged chances sprayed by the Heidelberg line-up.
Nonetheless, it was a night to forget for the away side as Sadie Murphy and defender Angie Rassias had the Bergers up 2-0 within half an hour. A goal to Julia Nicolaci made it three before keeper Madeleine Nobbs added injury to insult with an own goal. Belinda Pannella – who set up the own goal – nabbed one late of her own to complete the rout.
Boroondara Eagles 2 defeated Monbulk Rangers 1 at Knox Regional Football Centre
Monbulk really needed a win, should they have stood any chance of staying up this season. When Erin Doughty struck in the shadow of half-time, it seemed the miracle run home could be on for the Rangers.
Alas, what they hadn’t accounted for was the continued brilliance of arguably the WPL’s best performing midfielder Alex Gummer, who netted twice in the second half to give the Eagles a 2-1 win.
Gummer funnily enough started in defence for the home side, but pushed into her more comfortable position as the game rolled on, impacting the contest not once, but twice, with the winner coming in the 82nd minute.
The loss leaves Monbulk eight points from safety with nine left to play for.
Sandringham 2 drew with Bulleen Lions 2 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
A classic game of football unfolded at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex as finals chasing Sandringham came away with a 2-2 draw against the underperforming Bulleen Lions.
Despite having a host of first teamers unavailable, Sandy looked competitive throughout, although the away side just shaded them in the first half, both in performance and on the scoreboard.
Em Coppock turned Tessa Sernio’s near post strike into the net from 6-yards out to give her side a first half lead.
The game really took off after the resumption of play as Annabelle Gibney ran the show, with the midfielder scoring an audacious equaliser from 25-yards out.
When the returning Dani Gudelj tapped home for a 2-1 lead, it looked for all money like the Lions would run out the contest for the three points. Cue Gibney, who’s darting run and subsequent delivery perfectly picked out Emma Runnalls at the near post for 2-2.
WPL fixtures wrapped up by Jordan Lim (@JordanLim24)