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Bentleigh gained an important win over the free falling Dandenong Thunder on Friday night at the Heath.
Feston Azizi put Dandy in-front on 24 minutes with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box but it wasn't enough as two goals to in-form Greens striker Ryan De Vries gave Bentleigh the win and a hold on third place in the Alanic Victorian Premier League. Bentleigh have two huge games against fellow Finals aspirants over the final two rounds whilst the Thunder, who were top of the table nine weeks ago, look likely to miss out on the Finals completely.
Melbourne Knights 4 - 1 St Albans Saints
Melbourne Knights sent their local rivals back down to State League One with an emphatic 4-1 thumping at Knights Stadium. A brace to Colosimo and singles to Magdic and Vincent were enough to ensure that St Albans were officially relegated and the Knights would see another season of the Alanic Victorian Premier League. To his credit, Fenton scored a consolation goal for St Albans in the 83rd minute.
South Melbourne 3 - 1 Hume City
The match of the round saw table toppers Hume City travel to John Cain Memorial Park to take on a resurgent South Melbourne. The game couldn't have started any worse for Hume as experienced 'keeper Lou Acevski was shown a straight red early on in the piece. South shot to a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a Dragicevic strike and a Petrovic header. South then extended their lead just after half time courtesy of a Krencevic tap in. Golden boot leader Richie Cardozo was able to peg one back in the 81st minute but South took all three vital points to go into second place, only three points clear of sixth placed Green Gully.
Springvale White Eagles 1 - 5 Northcote City
On a day that gave us 18 goals in five games, Northcote City provided five in a demolition job on State League One bound Springvale White Eagles. The Eagles were no match for the goal scoring prowess of Northcote with goals to Rixon, Piemonte, Kalifatidis, and Denittis (2). Northcote now have two huge games to end the season against fellow Finals contenders South Melbourne and Bentleigh.
Heidelberg United 0 - 0 Green Gully Cavaliers
Only five days removed from playing each other in a Mirabella Cup Quarter Final which saw Green Gully comfortably win 4-0 the two teams met again at Olympic Village Stadium. In a dour affair neither team could break the deadlock which did no favors for either side as they both hover around the edge of the top five. Both have favorable fixtures in the last two rounds and will need to make sure they capitalize on those.
Oakleigh Cannons 1 - 2 Richmond
Richmond put a dent in Oakleigh's chance of a top finish with a courageous 2-1 win away at Jack Edwards Reserve. Richmond, who were down to the bare minimum of fit senior players, continued their good end of season form and now see themselves just four points outside the top five. Richmond took the lead on 40 minutes via a Nick Marinos penalty. Oakleigh hit back on 55' with a Lagana header. Richmond secured the three points eleven minutes later from a Devon Bonne thunderbolt. With games against three of the bottom four remaining Richmond are a sneaky chance to see Finals action.