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Bentleigh have kept the pressure on the top five with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Melbourne Knights at the Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. Seven minutes before the break Wayne Wallace handed the hosts the lead after being on the back foot for most of the half. After the restart the home side improved their game and got were rewarded as strikes from Scott Bulloch, Ryan De Vries and Billy Liolios handed the Greens an easy victory
GREEN GULLY - RICHMOND 4-2
The Cavaliers remain in the top five thanks to a hat-trick by Matthew Sanders over Richmond at Green Gully Reserve. Sanders opened the account in the 20th minute and only eight minutes later doubled the host's advantage heading into the break. Michael Ferrante hit back in the 60th minute to keep Richmond in it, however only ten minutes later it was Sanders that completed his hat-trick. A minute later Kovacic got a touch to Ferrante’s free-kick to ensure the encounter will turn into a thrilling finish. Ultimately it was Green Gully who took all the points and Hayne ensured there was no comeback as he rounded the 'keeper for an easy tap in to secure the points.
NORTHCOTE CITY – HUME CITY 2-4
Hume City have maintained the lead in the VPL standings after another great win this time over Northcote City. Hume have been in fine form of late and it took the visitors only two minutes to go in front after a howler by goalkeeper Petropoulos who failed to clearly handle Atilla Ofli’s weak shot. Hume doubled their lead 10 minutes later through Cardozo, while in the 15th minute Petresk scored another for the visitors as his effort from a tight angle beat Petropoulos. The game was done and dusted in the 63rd minute, Petreski scoring his second as he found the back of the net with a well struck effort. Kalifatidis managed to pull one back a minute later but in the dying stages Trifiro also found the net for the visitors. Hume ran out comfortable winners and ensured top spot for another round.
Match Highlights thanks to our partner, Football Federation Victoria.
SOUTH MELBOURNE – OAKLEIGH CANNONS 1-0
After a run of poor form, including last week’s shock loss to Port Melbourne in the Mirabella Cup, South Melbourne have jumped up to third on the VPL standings after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over second-placed Oakleigh. In tough opening half where both sides failed to create decent opportunities, it was second half substitute Carl Recchia who pounced on a loose ball in the six yard box after the Cannons defence failed to clear. Following the goal, the home side continued to push forward in search of finding a second, however it wasn’t to be and the single goal was enough for the three points.
SPRINGVALE WHITE EAGLES – ST.ALBANS SAINTS 0-2
St.Albans have secured their second win of the season after a two-nil away victory over rivals Springvale. Looking doomed for relegation, the Saints have now given their fans something to cheer as the season is nearing its crucial stages. Mathew Demo handed the visitors the lead as Springvale failed to properly implement the offside trap, handing Demo an opportunity which he buried low into the net. Demo scored his second of the match with ten minutes remaining as he pounced on an error by Jason Corbett, effectively ending any chances the Eagles had in the contest.
HEIDELBERG UNITED – DANDENONG THUNDER 3-1
Heidelberg United have kept the pressure on the top three with a win over the visiting Thunder. Two goals from Saso Alexovski and a strike from Osagie Ederaro were enough to hand Heidelberg the three points, while a consolation from Ashley Stott from a penalty after he was fouled in the sixteen yard box was all that the visitors had to celebrate. Dandenong are now sitting eighth on the VPL standings, however a victory over Northcote next week will could see them back in the top five. Meanwhile Heidelberg are sitting fourth two points of the third spot which is currently occupied by rivals South Melbourne.
1. Hume City 17 9 6 2 37:20 33
2. Oakleigh Cannons 18 10 3 5 34:25 33
3. South Melbourne 17 9 4 5 31:27 31
4. Heidelberg United 17 9 5 3 38:17 29
5. Green Gully 17 8 3 6 35:19 27
6. Bentleigh Greens 18 7 6 5 26:21 27
7. Northcote City 17 7 5 5 37:27 26
8. Dandenong Thunder 17 9 5 3 33:15 25*
9. Melbourne Knights 18 4 7 7 27:25 18
10. Richmond 17 5 3 9 21:33 18
11. Springvale 18 2 6 10 18:48 12
12. VTC Football 17 4 0 13 19:55 12
13. St.Albans Saints 17 2 3 12 18:42 9