It was an incredibly busy week of NPL action, with the Easter break forcing an abundance of mid-week games to be played in the lead up to the long weekend. There were plenty of games to cover and a number of match winning performances around the grounds so we’ve decided to include a bench in this weeks edition of the Team of the Week.
(Formation: 4-3-1-2)
GK: John Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Honos had an outstanding night between the sticks against Dandenong, keeping a clean sheet to back up a solid performance in Oakleigh’s 6-1 demolition of Green Gully. He kept his side in the contest with a string of fantastic saves, including an incredible ‘Spiderman’ save, in which he held onto a goal bound effort with one hand.
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RB: Kristian Konstantinidis (Northcote City)
What a difference KK has made to reigning champions Northcote City’s defence since coming in two rounds ago. His return has coupled two consecutive wins, as well as consecutive clean sheets to get their season kick started. Konstantinidis scored the match winner from a corner in their Round 5 clash against Port Melbourne.
CB: Greg Lombardo (Northcote City)
Northcote’s defence has been the cornerstone of their mini resurgence this week and centre-back Greg Lombardo was a large factor. He put in a great performance against Pascoe Vale in his sides first match of the week, with his ground work immaculate in the wet conditions. He backed it up with another commanding display against Pascoe Vale
CB: James Musa (South Melbourne)
Both South Melbourne centre backs played well in their team’s wins, but Musa just shades captain Eagar for a spot in the team. A stringent South’s defence didn’t concede in their two games, with Musa putting in two solid displays. He ventured forward to provide the assist for his side’s opener against Hume, with his clever cut back ball finding the feet of Nick Epifano.
LB: Oliver Rowland (Werribee City)
A standout second game for the Werribee full back who scored and assisted in his sides 4-3 win over Goulburn Valley. His work in advanced positions was superb all night, which culminated in a wonder strike from 30 yards that struck the upright on its way in. He also played the full 90 minutes against a dangerous Bentleigh side in Round 4.
CM: Dusan Bosnjak (Oakleigh Cannons)
The recently announced NPL player of the month recipient Dusan Bosnjak was again busy as Oakleigh went unbeaten in their two matches. He scored a goal in the 6-1 thrashing of Gully, and was involved again in their scoreless draw against the Thunder with the giant midfielder displaying a range of passing as well as showcasing his ability to take on a man and shoot.
CM: Andreas Govas (Oakleigh Cannons)
Yet another Cannon’s midfielder to impress this week, Andreas Govas got a goal and an assist in that match against Green Gully. Whilst he was a little quieter in the match against Dandenong, he deserves his spot after a commanding display in the Round 4 clash. He provided Nate Foster with his first after putting him through on goals with his lofted pass before scoring a free-kick himself later on in the contest.
CM: Marcus Schroen (Dandenong Thunder)
Schroen had a solid couple of games for Dandenong in their unbeaten week. He was confident on the ball and wasn’t afraid to unleash, but it was his passing game that earns him a spot in the Team of the Week. He set up teammate Brendan Craig for a late winner in their match against the Knights.
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CAM: Nick Epifano (South Melbourne)
What a week it was from the young midfielder, who put on a master class in South Melbourne’s Round 4 clash against Hume. Starting off the right wing but often moving into a free role linking the play, he scored two well-taken goals and came close a number of times, as he weaved in and around the edge of the penalty area for fun. Epifano also showed his vision to set up teammates for chances of their own in what was one of the most complete performances of the year so far. He then backed it up against Ballarat in their midweek clash, providing an assist for Jamie Reed’s opener.
ST: Brent McGrath (Bentleigh Greens)
Socceroo Brent McGrath had a fine week leading the line for Bentleigh in their two wins heading into the break. He did his best to impose himself physically in the contests, with his hold up play a standout in his game. His goal against Werribee was testament to his positioning ability, whilst the strike against Green Gully on Wednesday showcased his technical ability.
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ST: Jamie Reed (South Melbourne)
Jamie Reed makes his way into the Team of the Week on the back of a stellar Round 5 performance in which he scored a match winning brace against Ballarat Red Devils. Two fantastic goals, one a pearler from the edge of the box, and the other a tidy finish from the angle, saw Reed and his teammates finish with two wins.
Bench:
Stuart Webster (Bentleigh Greens)
Although Stuart Webster played only the one game for the week (The talented Alistair Bray deputising against Green Gully), he made it count with a fantastic performance between the sticks to maintain his side’s clean sheet. A great save from a Simon Symeoy free kick will go into his personal highlights reel.
Michael Ferrante (Pascoe Vale)
Ferrante had a fine week for Pascoe Vale, with a lively performance in their loss to Northcote preceding his match winning one against Heidelberg in their first NPL win. Ferrante nabbed himself a pair of assists in Vale’s 2-1 victory in Round 5 as well as creating chances for him to get on the scoresheet himself over both rounds.
Kris Kioussis (Dandenong Thunder)
The second KK to make an appearance this week, Kioussis put in two solid performances for the Thunder. His effort in the front third was immense over the two games, with the full back showing pace and trickery aplenty. Kioussis put in a number of dangerous deliveries from both open play and from set pieces. His defensive work was also solid, with his side only conceding the one goal for the week.
Jose Guerrero (Hume City)
Although Guerrero and his Hume teammates didn’t enjoy the best of days in their loss to top of the table South Melbourne, they got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Melbourne Knights. Guerrero was dangerous all night in his side’s second game of the week, providing some much needed incisiveness in a game bereft of any real quality. The winger also won the penalty that saw his side steal the points late.
Nate Foster (Oakleigh Cannons)
Foster helped himself to a brace as Oakleigh made a mockery of Green Gully in their Round 4 match. The striker was fast on the break and he made good advantage of it by scoring two opportunistic goals, including a clever dinked finish for his second, as well as setting up Zoric for his side’s sixth goal of the night. He had a much quieter night against Dandenong next time around, but his performance against Gully sees him earn a spot on the bench.
Special thanks to Julian Buckeridge (@MrJulianB), Shaun Moran (@MoranShaun), Adem Barolli (@adembarolli), Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_), Ahmen Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10), Christopher Hearn (@_ChrisHearn), Tim McGlone as well as a handful of our own writers for their help over the two rounds.
