Image: Rob Cam
Langwarrin’s last-gasp win over rivals Mornington extended their league lead in the south-east, but Caulfield weren’t able to keep up in second after a defeat to Malvern City, with St Kilda taking fourth spot after beating table-proppers Mooroolbark. In the north-west, Altona Magic dropped points again after a draw against Keilor, Geelong consolidated second spot by spoiling John Markovski’s first game in charge of Sydenham, Diellon Memishi netted another hat-trick for North Sunshine, while Robert Stambolziev showed his class on debut for Preston.
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Langwarrin stretched their lead at the top of the South-East standings with a smash and grab 2-1 win over rivals Mornington at Dallas Brooks Park. Ryan Paczkowski handed the hosts a dream start with his ninth in nine games to take his tally for the Peninsula-based outfit to 50 goals from 50 games. With the game heading into injury time, Langy’s Alex Metcalfe curled in an equaliser before Connor Belger sensational strike a minute later gave Gus MacLeod’s men all three points in the clash between the two State League One heavyweights, both of whom harbour promotion aspirations.
Surprise challengers Caulfield United Cobras failed to keep up in second on the ladder by suffering a shock 2-0 home defeat to the resurgent Malvern City. A goal on the stroke of half-time by former Heidelberg United and Kingston City midfielder Arthur Papadopoulos set the tone before substitute Rob McKenna scored with the last kick of the contest to seal all three points.
St Kilda moved into joint-fourth following a 3-0 win over last-placed Mooroolbark at Ellwood Park. The Celts have been in good form of late and found the back of the net through Delarno Pharoe, Olapido Okunaiya and substitute Aaron Boyd.
Manningham United Blues dropped to fifth after a 1-1 home draw against Clifton Hill, with both goals coming in the space of six first-half minutes. Mark Vangeli gave Alfredo Constantino’s side the lead in the 32nd minute only for Dylan Bresolin to net his second goal in two games for his new employers to ensure a share of the spoils.
South Springvale missed a golden chance to take advantage and move up the table as a last gasp goal from Dejan Radojicic saw them draw 2-2 with the Casey Comets at Warner Reserve. Alex Rojas gave Aris the lead four minutes into the game only for Ray Markley to level things up in the 24th minute. Thomas Brooks thought he had won it for the 2014 Dockerty Cup finalists only for former South and Oakleigh midfielder Radojicic to net his third goal in two games with a late leveller.
Warragul United won bragging rights in the Gippsland derby after a 2-0 win over Morwell Pegasus, with Nathan Lugton netting a goal in each half to bump his side up to eighth while Pegasus struggle in 11th.
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In the North-West, a host of transfer activity took place prior to the start of the round headlined by the Essendon Royals’ acquisition of Argentine midfielder Facundo Alcacer from Altona Magic. Michael Curcija’s men also confirmed the signature of former Kingston City custodian Douglas Lindberg from Preston Lions, who also parted company with back-up goalkeeper Anthony Saric as he joined Banyule City. Ex-Whittlesea Ranges defender Andrew Taylor was another man to have left BT Connor Reserve after joining Yarraville, while Lou Acevski completed the signing of Josh Slovacek from Westgate. The Altona Magic signed former Green Gully shot-stopper Kieran Gonzalez as a replacement for the injured Michael Stark, while Werribee City left-back Nemanja Govedarica has joined Keilor Park.
League leaders Altona Magic dropped points for the second consecutive game after a 1-1 draw at Paisley Park against Keilor Park. Adamson Ajayi netted his seventh of the campaign 11 minutes into the contest to give Goran Lozanovski’s men the lead, only for Aaron Ward’s 31st minute strike to level the scoring.
Over at Keilor Lodge Reserve, Sydenham Park welcomed John Markovski to the dugout for his first game in charge, however Geelong claimed all three points as a 63rd minute own goal handed Kristian Bright’s charges all three points as they move to within three points of the Magic.
Larissa Reserve played host to North Sunshine Eagles’ 6-1 trashing over rivals Westgate, who took a shock early lead thanks to veteran Slobodan Bubulj. However a Diellon Memishi hat-trick was followed up by a brace from debutant Reardo Luka and an injury time strike from Nicholas Cullen as Arben Isai’s men moved to third, one point behind Geelong. Westgate had Gino Defeo take charge of his first game as player game and Sindeljic’s task of taking anything away from the game was made tougher by Milan Savic’s sending off early in the second half when they trailed 3-1. Memishi is now the third tier’s outright top goalscorer with 10 goals from eight games.
Stephen Campbell’s late strike ensured the Essendon Royals halted Banyule City’s recent momentum with a 1-0 win at Ormond Park.
10th placed Yarraville secured their first win since Round 1 with a 2-0 victory over 11th placed Altona East Phoenix following goals from Reuben Agyei Dauso and Keith Burch – the latter continuing his good form up front with his seventh of the season.
The final game of the round proved to be a classic as the Preston Lions showed off their new star signing Robert Stambolziev against the Western Suburbs. The visitors took the lead twice thanks to goals from Deang Aguek and Ajak Panek, which came either side of a debut Stambolziev strike. However, the former Sydney FC man would have the final say as he equalised late on before scoring a penalty with the last kick of the game in what was just Preston’s second win from eight games.
