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South Melbourne made a bright start to their 2012 VPL campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over newly promoted Moreland Zebras. Despite a dull start to the contest Kyle Joryeff handed South the lead in the 25th minute after being played through by new signing Trent Rixon. Only eight minutes later Joryeff scored his second for the evening, this time a smart ball being played in by Jason Trifiro.
The South 'keeper was rarely tested throughout the ninety minutes as his side were comfortable with the advantage over the opposition. Last seasons VPL Player of the Year Jason Trifiro opened his South account with a neat finish at the near post while sub Dimi Hatzimouratis sealed the points with two minutes remaining.
Full match report.
BENTLEIGH GREENS 4-1 GREEN GULLY CAVALIER
Reigning Champions Green Gully were stunned on the opening round of the Victorian Premier League, falling to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Bentleigh Greens. It was the visitors who took the lead through Joel Nikolic after a defensive mishap from Nicholas Curtis however Bentleigh came back in the second half to take the points.
In the second half the 2010 and 2011 Champions did not see the onslaught coming as the home side found the net three times in seven minutes. Scott Bulloch equalised on the hour mark and only three minutes later handed Bentleigh the lead with a well placed penalty. Victory starlet Luke O’Dea stunned the away side in the 67th minute and all but ended the hopes of a come back with ten minutes remaining. Not the start to the campaign the Cavaliers were after.
DANDENONG THUNDER 4-0 SOUTHERN STARS
Dandenong opened their season account with a comfortable 4-0 dismantling of promoted Southern Stars, who were playing in their first ever VPL fixture. Thunder were dominant throughout the contest and the visitors could count themselves lucky to have only conceded four goals.
The home side took the lead in just five minutes as Luke Sherbon found the net after some beautiful set-up approach play, while import Nate Foster volleyed home his first for the club on 12 minutes. He soon scored his second for the afternoon by rounding keeper Frazer Siddle in the second half. The impressive Liam Kearney found the net to complete the rout with ten minutes remaining to hand Dandenong the perfect start to what is expected to be a perfect season for the home side.
NORTHCOTE CITY 2-1 RICHMOND SC
Northcote City made a winning start to their VPL Campaign with a 2-1 victory over 2010 Premiers Richmond at John Cain Memorial Park.
James Kalifatidis scored the opener after only four minutes with a neat finish past Richmond 'keeper Stjepan Gal when played through by Milos Lujic. It was roles reversed for the second goal as Kalifatidis turned provider for Lujic who found the back of the net with a powerful effort leaving Gal with no chance.
The visitors found a fortunate consolation goal through Okai following a clearance by Kriatian Konstantanidis smashing into a Richmond player. Northcote dominated most of the match and were unlucky not to have won by a greater margin.
MELBOURNE KNIGHTS 0-2 HUME CITY
Hume boss Lou Acevski made a bright start to his managerial career with a 2-0 win over Melbourne Knights thanks to goals from Steven Pace and Bobby Vidanoski.
Despite the scrappy encounter the visitors were able to score late in each half to
leave Sunshine victorious, in a measured performance by Hume. Pace scored the opener after Tomislav Uskok’s failed clearance fell into the defenders path, rifling past the crowded area. Vidanoski doubled the advantage in the eighty fourth minute after being left unmarked, easily slotting past Aaron Romein.
OAKLEIGH CANNONS 2-0 HEIDELBERG UNITED
Last year’s Grand Finalists Oakleigh Cannons have made a successful start to their 2012 campaign overcoming Heidelberg United 2-0 at Olympic Village. Former Hyundai A-League player Ricky Diaco found the net on two occasions while the Bergers weren’t even able to finish the match with eleven men due to the sending off of George Papadopoulos.
Diaco opened the scoring in the 57th minute calmly slotting his penalty past Daniel Neesham, after Jesse Krncevic was fouled in the penalty area. The striker decided the contest in the 85th minute scoring his second of the game. Heidelberg at times will feel hard done by as chances went begging throughout the ninety minutes. For the home side it wasn't a great start to their hunt for the 2012 VPL Title which they missed out on last season on an eventful final day.
| 1 | Dandenong Thunder | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2 | South Melbourne | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 | |
| 3 | Bentleigh Greens | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| 4 | Hume City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Oakleigh Cannons | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 6 | Northcote City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Richmond | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | |
| 8 | Heidelberg United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | |
| 9 | Melbourne Knights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | |
| 10 | Green Gully Cavaliers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | |
| 11 | Southern Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 | |
| 12 | Moreland Zebras | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |