Northcote Park back in finals race after fast start helps it upset West Preston in Northern Football League

Buoyed by a fast start, Northcote Park overcame West Preston on Sunday to put itself back in the Northern Football League finals race.

NFL Football: Bundoora V Northcote Park. Northcote no 49 Mitch Papas with the ball, Bundoora no 9 Joe Palazzolo

EVERY time you think you have a read on how the 2014 Northern Football League Division 1 season will pan out, someone throws a spanner in the works.

On Sunday, it was Northcote Park’s turn to do exactly that against West Preston-Lakeside.

Buoyed by a fast start at J.E Moore Park, the Cougars led at every change away from home to record their fourth win of the season 13.14 (92) to 8.12 (60).

Northcote Park slotted five goals without conceding a major in the opening quarter before the hosts stormed back into the match with six goals to one in the second.

But the Cougars defence held firm in the second half, restricting West Preston to two goals.

Their efforts allowed Jason Heatley’s side to run away with the match and resuscitate its ailing season.

The Cougars are still 10 points behind fifth-placed Lower Plenty, but are in the finals race after 12 rounds.

West Preston faces a fight to hold onto its top-three spot after its loss opened the door for Macleod and Lower Plenty to pounce.

While the Bears were beaten on Saturday by Greensborough, Macleod claimed an impressive win against Montmorency to climb to fourth, two points behind the Roosters.

West Preston hosts winless Whittlesea this weekend, while the Cougars tackle Heidelberg.

Reservoir had the bye in Division 3 and will be expected to comfortably account for Parkside at Crispe Park this weekend.