NPL Victoria Week 2 Wrap

Not too many shocks coming out of the NPL Victoria this weekend. Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne affirmed they are the ones to beat this season while Port Melbourne  remain undefeated.

The big excitement of the round came from the Dandenong-Bentleigh game that was abandoned after the light went out with the game nearing it's conclusion.

The NPL1 is still yet to fully hit it's straps as the youth sides of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City near their arrival.

Some mid-week fixture's are one this week so expect to see them in next weeks round-up!


Melbourne Knights 2 (Andrew Barisic 46', Tomislav Uskok 70')
Northcote City 0
Knights Stadium

Melbourne Knights made it two-from-two to kick off the round with a convincing 2-0 win at home to Northcote City. The Knights were never troubled against the 2013 champs as they went on to record an easy three points.

Northcote made it to half time at 0-0 but conceded a goal immediately after the resumption of play with an errant pass from the restart gifted Andrew Barisic the opener. Skipper Tomislav Uskok sealed the points for the home side 20 minutes from time with a smart header.


Port Melbourne 2 (Kamal Ibrahim 48’, Ryan Oppermann 69’)
Pascoe Vale 0
JL Murphy Reserve

Port Melbourne have kept their flying start to the new year in tact defeating Pascoe Vale 2-0 at home. The Sharks were seconds away from relegated last season now find themselves undefeated in two against a disappointing Paco.

Kamal Ibrahim bagged his second goal for the season to open the scoring in the 48th minute before Ryan Oppermann rounded off the strong second half showing with the sealer in the 69th minute.


Green Gully 1 (Matt Sanders 85’)
Oakleigh Cannons 0
Green Gully Reserve

Last year’s runners up Oakleigh Cannons are still without a win after falling to Green Gully on the road.

In an even game where both sides had legitmaed claims to take maximum points, it was Gully who got the job done in the end when Matt Sanders slammed home from close range despite losing skipper Roddy Vargas just three minutes earlier after receiving his second yellow.


North Geelong 0

South Melbourne 3 (David Stirton 31’, Milos Lujic 40’, Andy Brennan 83’)
Elcho Park

North Geelong’s first top-flight home game in 20 years came to a disspaointing end falling to a clinical South Melbourne 3-0.

The scoreboard did the Warriors no justice who played admirably against the formidable champs. It was an even match that fell South’s way who took the chances given to them. The same couldn’t be said for North Geelong who wasted numerous glorious chances to score.


Dandenong Thunder 1 (Korcari 20’)
Bentleigh Greens 2 (Thurtell 37’, 81’)
George Andrews Reserve
(ABANDONED AFTER 85’)

Dandenong Thunder’s first home game of the season came to a premature halt when the George Andrews Reserve lights bit the dust resulting in their clash against Bentleigh Greens to be abandoned after 85 minutes.

The Greens looked to be running away with the win when Matthew Thurtall second goal of the game gave them the lead in the 81st minute after Veton Koracri opened the scoring after 20 minutes. That was until the wild weather battering the region intervened and cut all power to the ground.

The official word from FFV regarding the result of the game states:

“In accordance with Rule 4.2.3.a of the NPL Rules of Competition, as more than 80% of the match had been played, the score at the time of abandonment will stand.

“As such the match will be recorded as a 2-1 win to Bentleigh Greens, with all goal scorers, bookings and other match details confirmed as final.”


Hume City 2 (Jai Ingham 79’, Nick Hegarty 90’)
Avondale FC 0
Broadmeadows Valley Park

Two late goals have given Hume City their first points of the season with a 2-0 win to Avondale FC.

A dire match with very little to get excited about sprung into life in the 79th miniute when former Brisbane Roar winger Jai Ingham scored his second in as many weeks before Nick Hegarty sealed the deal in stoppage time. Despite the win, it was hardly a performance that would have thrilled City manager Louie Acevski as his side struggled to break down new boys Avondale.


Werribee City FC 0
Heidelberg United 1 (Andrew Cartanos 80’)
Galvin Park

Heidelberg United continued Werribee’s poor start to the year downing the Bees 1-0 at Galvin Park.

The Bergers did enough against this year’s drop favourites in a match hampered by windy conditions. Andrew Cartonos sealed the points the points for the vistors in the 80th minute to deflate Werribee who were gunning for their first points of the year.


NPL 1 East
Murray United 1 drew with Springvale White Eagles 1
Eastern Lions 3 defeated Nunawading City 1
Kingston City 3 defeated Box Hill United 2


NPL 1 West
Sunshine George Cross 2 drew with Moreland Zebras 2
Brunswick City 1 (Turer) defeated by Moreland City 2
Whittlesea Ranges 0 drew with Ballarat Red Devils 0
FC Bulleen Lions 1 (Nishimoto) drew with Bendigo City 1 (Basha)