It’s been a busy opening two days in the NPL Victoria. With more to come this afternoon and tonight, we’ve wrapped up all the action so far for you to catch up on.
READ MORE > The Weekend Wrap: NPL2 kicks off, South send warning
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(click image for full report)
The NPL Victoria season began in tame fashion, as Oakleigh Cannons and Port Melbourne Sharks cancelled each other out in a lacklustre 0-0 draw.
Despite the scoreline, there were chances scattered throughout for both sides.
Goran Zoric drifted in from a wide area to latch onto a well-weighted ball from Dom D’Angelo, only to see his shot roll painfully wide of the post.
Lambros Honos enjoyed a few half chances throughout, while fellow new signing David Stirton also getting an opportunity to break the deadlock, volleying just wide of the post.
Drama was left until late when substitute Erhan Yalaz bolted down the left wing and swung a perfect low cross into Honos at the back stick.
With the former Cannon looking odds on to score, he fired into the upright before butchering the follow-up effort.
NPL Victoria kicked-off last night with Oakleigh Cannons sharing the first points of the season with Port Melbourne. In the 93rd minute of the game, Port Melbourne could of taken all 3 points after some brilliant work from Erhan Yalaz to set up Lambros Honos.
Posted by NMS Media on Thursday, 18 February 2016
FULL REPORT > Oakleigh Cannons 0 Port Melbourne 0
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(click image for full report)
Reigning Champions Bentleigh Greens secured a 1-0 victory over the newly promoted Bulleen Lions, courtesy of an early goal from Tyson Holmes.
The attacking midfielder was set up nicely by an intertwining string of passes between himself and fellow attacker Chris Lucas, which saw him free up space to fire past Griffin McMaster.
Keeping counterpart Ryan Scott continued his good form from the Community Shield with another clean sheet, but was made to work for it as Bulleen’s Japanese import Takanori Nishimoto fired a vicious near post shot which was denied, before then hitting the woodwork later in the half.
Chances fell to Lucas and Jack Webster, both of whom were denied by some brave defence from a determined Bulleen outfit.
Sami Nour had the final opportunity to equalise for the visitors, but was once more denied by Scott, who was in unbeatable form.
FULL REPORT > Bentleigh Greens 1 Bulleen Lions 0
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Elsewhere, Pascoe Vale FC started off the 2016 NPL Victoria season with an emphatic win under lights at home, defeating Avondale FC 2-0.
Both teams had chances in the first half, however it was soon after the break when Paco went end-to-end inside 15 seconds with Luka Prelevic firing a cross low into the box and captain Joseph Youssef getting a right boot to the ball, edging it into the corner of the net.
The home team breathed a sigh of relief when Avondale’s Abraham Yango won and missed a penalty, then soon after went down the other end to earn one of their own.
A classy interception set up Youssef once again, but his strike found the glove of experienced Avondale keeper Chris May who deflected it into the woodwork. The rebound was pounced on by Avondale defender Baki Efe who was adjudged to have used his arm to fend the ball down and a penalty was awarded.
Queue the sprinklers at CB Smith Reserve, and after a few minutes Michael Ferrante stepped up and doubled the lead for the home team with four minutes of regulation time remaining.
NPL Round 1: Pascoe Vale 2 defeated Avondale 0Pascoe Vale FC started off the 2016 NPL Victoria season with an emphatic win under lights at home, defeating Avondale FC 2-0. Both teams had chances in the first half, however it was soon after the break when Paco went end-to-end inside 15 seconds with Luka Prelevic firing a cross low into the box and captain Joseph Youssef getting a right boot to the ball, edging it into the corner of the net.The home team breathed a sigh of relief when Avondale missed a penalty, then soon after went down the other end to earn one of their own. A classy interception set up Youssef once again, but his strike found the glove of experienced Avondale keeper Chris May who deflected it into the woodwork. The rebound was pounced on by Avondale defender Baki Efe who was adjudged to have used his arm to fend the ball down and a penalty was awarded.Queue the sprinklers at CB Smith Reserve, and after a few minutes Michael Ferrante stepped up and doubled the lead for the home team with four minutes of regulation time remaining. Pascoe Vale went on to defeat Avondale FC 2-0.#PS4NPLVIC
Posted by The Corner Flag on Friday, 19 February 2016
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At Knights Stadium, the hosts Melbourne Knights had to come back to secure a 1-1 draw against Green Gully.
Matthew Breeze earned the hosts an early lead after a long distance strike found its way into the back of the net.
Nick Krousoratis was dangerous from the wing and nearly doubled the lead in the 37th minute when he struck a shot into the crossbar as the Gully pressure built.
Roddy Vargas had the ball in the back of the net after the break but it was disallowed. The visitors were made to rue their chances when Colosimo pounced when Gully couldn’t clear their lines, equalising just after the hour mark.