VPL: The race for the title is back on

The Victorian Premier League title race is back on after the Knights caused what may be the upset of the season over Dandenong on Sunday. Wins to Oakleigh and Green Gully kept the race alive whilst at the other end it looks to be a fait accompli that the once mighty Warriors are on the way out of the VPL after drifting 13 points from safety.


Hume City 3 (Konstantinidis OG 21', Leech 47', Hegarty 62')
Northcote City 0
Epping Soccer Stadium

Hume City recorded their most important win of the season with a 3-0 win over finals aspirant Northcote on Friday night. Northcote threw away the chance to go third on the table with one of their poorest performances of the season thus far. The difference between the two sides was in the finishing, Hume taking their chances even without star @Cardozo_Richie on the park.



Richmond 3 (Joryeff 30', Cahill 63', 72')
Heidelberg United 2 (Sarkies 34`, Alexovski 90`)
Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Its just going from bad to worse for the once mighty Warriors as they fell 13 points from the safety zone. Richmond on the other hand secured three priceless points to lift them out of the danger zone temporarily and even keep them within reach of an unlikely finals spot. A genuine six-pointer is on the radar for Richmond when they travel to South Melbourne next round with the winner staying in touch of the the top five, the loser falling away. Heidelberg play their last chance card with a fixture against Southern Stars.


Southern Stars 0
Bentleigh Greens 3 (Lokvancic 5', Bulloch 81', Batsis 86')
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

Bentleigh continue to fly under the radar after their impressive 3-0 win over Southern Stars. The Stars, who were coming off a six game unbeaten streak, were blown away by Bentleigh who needed a win after falling to the lowly Richmond the week before. Melbourne Victory 'keeper Lawrence Thomas showed why he will battle for the number one spot come A-League season with another clean sheet.


Moreland Zebras 0
Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Zoric 63)
Epping Soccer Stadium

Oakleigh kept the pressure on Dandenong with a win over the inconsistent Moreland on Sunday.
The Cannons dominated proceedings at Epping but were unable to put the Zebras to the sword with only a Goran Zoric deflected shot being the difference between the two teams. A huge game awaits Oakleigh with Green Gully scheduled to visit Friday night in the match of the round.


Melbourne Knights 1 (Nakic 45+)
Dandenong Thunder 0
Knights Stadium

The upset of the season? Probably. The Knights inflicted the Thunder's second loss for the season and must now be considered a genuine threat for the title. Andrew Marth has Melbourne, who were in danger of relegation a few weeks ago, playing some organised football which sees them knocking on the door of the top five. The Thunder still remain comfortably on top of the table four points clear but losses to Southern Stars and now the Knights in a three week period must be a concern.


South Melbourne 0
Green Gully Cavaliers 2 (Vanega 31' 74')
Lakeside Stadium

Is it just us or have South Melbourne been the biggest disappointment of the VPL season so far. After a huge summer signing spree it looked like the great South Melbourne would be a lock for the top two but losses like Sundays to Green Gully at home have become all too familiar for the boys on Clarendon St. Gully once again are sitting pretty and like the past two years look ready to strike at the right time. A double (including a stunner) from football loving @BVanega was enough to keep the Cavaliers in third.

POS		TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1		Dandenong Thunder	13	9	3	1	26	6	20	30
2		Oakleigh Cannons	13	7	2	4	21	17	4	23
3		Green Gully Cavaliers	13	7	1	5	19	16	3	22
4		Northcote City	13	6	4	3	17	16	1	22
5		Bentleigh Greens	13	6	1	6	19	18	1	19
6		Southern Stars	13	5	4	4	15	18	-3	19
7		South Melbourne	13	5	3	5	18	16	2	18
8		Melbourne Knights	13	6	0	7	15	16	-1	18
9		Hume City	13	5	2	6	13	15	-2	17
10		Richmond	13	3	6	4	12	13	-1	15
11		Moreland Zebras	13	3	2	8	17	24	-7	11
12		Heidelberg United	13	1	2	10	12	29	-17	5