Five star Northcote thrash Souths

On Sunday afternoon Northcote City shocked rivals South Melbourne 5-0 in a match that was considered a finals series preview. The home side scored four goals in the second half after an uneventful opening period.
Northcote were on the attack as early as the 2nd minute as a cross from Trifiro found Piermonte on the edge of the box, whose well struck volley was just wide of the goal.

However only three minutes later the home side did take the lead. A beautiful cross from James Kalifatidis found striker Trent Rixon inside the six yard box who beat South’s defence to the ball, easily providing the opener for Northcote.

Following the goal, both sides struggled to create any chances as the battle in midfield dominated much of the period. Before the break, both sides had attempts goal. Firstly it was Northcote’s Sam Torrens who from 40-yards tried to surprise Deroune with a lob and although he had the goalkeeper beaten the bar saved the South 'keeper from embarrassment.

For the visitors a lone effort on goal by star midfielder Fernando De Moraes was as close as they came to an equaliser however even his shot was well wide.

Going into the break the home side held on to its 1-0 lead with not much pressure from either side in the half.
In the second half Northcote took full control of the contest and went on a goal scoring spree starting in the 60th minute. Jason Trifiro extended Northcote’s lead as he unleashed a powerful strike just inside the area allowing some breathing space heading into the final 30 minutes.

Only five minutes later the home side had their third through striker Trent Rixon, who scored his second for the afternoon as he knocked in a blocked shot by young revelation Kristian Konstandinis.

For South matters only got worse as Northcote scored their fourth for the afternoon in the 73rd minute. Trent Rixon easily completed his hat-trick with a well placed header after a great delivery from Glen Trifiro from the corner flag.

Northcote completed the rout in the 88th minute as Glen Trifiro who assisted Rixon with his hat-trick this time took matters into his own hands. He delivered an absolutely beautiful strike, curling the long range shot past Deroune and leaving the 'keeper with no chance.

With this victory Northcote climb to 3rd place on equal points with second placed Dandenong on 21. South Melbourne currently sit 4th also on 21 points however with a -2 goal difference

This defeat shows how much South are missing its key players Recchia, O’Dor, Milicevic and Krncevic, and they will hope that these players are back as soon as possible to help them find form.

Next week Northcote City play host to leaders Oakleigh Cannons in what should be an intriguing match, while South Melbourne will aim to get back to their winning ways away to Green Gully.


Northcote City: Chris Theodoridis, Petropoulos, Hayden D’Agostino, Kristian Konstandinidis, Paul Savio, Nicholas Curtis, Glen Trifiro, Jason Trifiro, Samuel Torrens, Dean Piermonte, James Kalifatidis, Trent Rixon.

South Melbourne: Adbelhadi Deroune, Bobby Russell, Jake Vandermay, Kyle Joryeff, Marinos Gasparis, Joshua Colosimo, Fernando De Moraes, Gianni De Nittis, Steven Topalovic, Daniel Vasilevski, Rhodri Payne.