This week in NPL action saw the runaway train that is South Melbourne continue their rampant run in stunning fashion, notching up their 11th win in a row by defeating Dandenong Thunder 5-0. This was the same side that kept South scoreless over the 90 minutes for the first time all season in their 1-0 extra-time Dockerty Cup loss midweek.
Elsewhere, we had ‘FC Oakleighlona’ return to winning ways against Werribee – god bless Miron – with a 2-0 result at Jack Edwards Reserve, whilst Bentleigh ensured the blemish of a winless month of football wasn’t to be as they overcame Port Melbourne on the Friday night.
Heidelberg lost ground on the top two after their 1-1 draw with Northcote City, whilst there was losses for the leagues bottom three sides; The Knights losing narrowly away to Green Gully, Ballarat going down 3-1 to Hume City and a loss for nine-man Goulburn Valley against Pascoe Vale.
Formation 3-5-2
GK: Christopher May (Melbourne Knights)
Yet another outstanding display from the Knights custodian, who by now would be used to the heavy traffic in his penalty area. His second half performance in particular was the sole reason why the score line remained a respectable 1-0 to Green Gully. Does this all sound familiar?
CB: Nathan Megic (Pascoe Vale)
Megic played a large hand in his sides second clean sheet for the season after a 2-0 result against the struggling Goulburn Valley Suns. In a match that needed someone to show a bit of steel, it was the Vale’s centre-back who ensured his side took three points back home.
CB: Aron Wilford (Oakleigh Cannons)
Oakleigh’s big Englishman Aron Wilford makes his TOTW debut after a commanding display in the Cannons 2-0 win over Werribee City. The off-season recruit from Bentleigh met everything that the Bee’s threw at him, and was at his dominant best in the air all evening.
CB: Rodrigo Vargas (Green Gully)
The deciding factor in Gully’s narrow 1-0 win against Melbourne Knights. Vargas scored the games only goal, tapping home from his brother Andy’s cross, whilst also putting in a strong shift down back. Could have had a brace if not for an immaculate save by May.
LM:Cristopher Cristaldo (Hume City)
The pacey Cristaldo was busy all afternoon for Hume as they overcame the Ballarat Red Devils 3-1. CC was at his best, laying on two assists for fellow Victory youth players Johnny Buceto and Anthony Proia, with the link play between the three a joy to behold throughout the contest.
CM: Matthew Theodore (South Melbourne)
The midfielder got his side off to a wonderful start against Dandenong Thunder, playing through Milos Lujic for South Melbourne’s opener, before moments later knocking one in himself. His industrious performance throughout the 84 or so minutes he was on the pitch sees him anchor the team.
CM: Liam McCormick (Bentleigh Greens)
McCormick put in a man of the match performance for Bentleigh as they put a much needed win on the board against Port Melbourne. The tough as nails midfielder stepped up to hold the midfield together in Luc Jeggo’s absence, and to cap off the performance, nabbed himself a goal.
RM: Goran Zoric (Oakleigh Cannons)
A sublime display on the wing saw Zoric lay on two assists for his teammates, with his vision proving the difference for Oakleigh. A lovely weighted through ball in the first half allowed Nate Foster to break the deadlock before his cutback for Dom D’Angelo put the game beyond doubt.
CAM: Jonathan Voulgaris (Pascoe Vale)
Our star performer of the week, Jonathan Voulgaris netted twice in Pascoe Vale’s 2-0 win over Goulburn Valley in Shepparton. He started on the wing, cutting inside and creating all sorts of headaches for the Suns defence. He was the shining light in an otherwise uninspired match.
FWD: Brent McGrath (Bentleigh Greens)
McGrath scored two of Bentleigh’s goals as the Greens returned to form against Port Melbourne, winning 4-2. Both strikes were well taken, the first a neat finish with the outside of the boot, and the second a display of the forwards predatory instinct. The brace pushes him to seven goals for the season.
FWD: Anthony Proia (Hume City)
Hume City have built up a neat collection of Melbourne Victory youth players with Proia also earning the plaudits this week after his goal and fantastic passing display, which contributed to Hume City’s 3-1 win over Ballarat. He linked up well with the aforementioned Cristaldo and Buceto, with the trio combining for the latter’s goal in the first half. Proia had earlier put his side in the lead with a powerful finish into the Red Devils goal.
Subs:
John Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Honos had a comfortable day in goals, but a penalty save early in the second half maintained his side’s 1-0 lead. Without him, the game could’ve ended quite differently.
Michael Eagar (South Melbourne)
Eagar was his usual assured self in the heart of the South Melbourne defence. He put in the hard yards to nullify the Thunder strike force, a far cry from their performance in the Dockerty Cup clash last week. Was substituted late for All Whites debutant James Musa, who scored South’s fourth.
Kris Konstantinidis (Northcote City)
Northcote’s star defender put in a good display against Heidelberg, showcasing his attacking endeavour. His stunning strike from distance opened the scoring for Northcote and his gut running allowed him to push up the pitch at any available opportunity whilst also performing his defensive duties with gusto.
Jamie Reed (South Melbourne)
Reed had an outstanding game in South’s resounding win, with the forward showcasing his set piece ability. A free-kick in the first half crashed into the crossbar, and another in the second half directly lead to his sides third goal through Tyson Holmes. He rounded off the display by slotting home a late penalty to push the score line out to five goals.
Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United)
Kaine Sheppard rounds off the collection of strikers in this rounds edition of the Team of the Week after the Heidelberg forward struck late to earn his side a point against Northcote City. He was threatening throughout, forcing Chris Theodoridis into some good saves.
A big thank you as always to the writers around the grounds for their suggestions for our Team of the Week. Special thanks this week goes out to Shaun Moran (@moranshaun), Bill Molloy (@Bill_Molloy94), Adem Barolli (@adembarolli), Dave Manuca (@davidmanuca), Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_) and Bryce Clayton for their nominations.