Check out all the highlights from the opening round of the NPL and VPL seasons

TALKING POINTS: The NPL and VPL seasons kicked off in PEAK form. Devin O’Hea’s bicycle kick, red card drama, late goals, disallowed goals and more. Check out all the highlights here.

Northcote City's Devin O'Hea scores with a bicycle kick. Picture: Marcusr Photography

The NPL and VPL seasons kicked off in PEAK form over the weekend.

Northcote City’s Devin O’Hea stunned with his bicycle kick and hat-trick.

There was red card drama, late goals, disallowed goals and plenty more.

Check out all the highlights here.

SEASON STARTS IN STYLE

You couldn’t have asked for much more from the NPL Victoria season kick-off. Melbourne Knights and Heidelberg United playing out a thrilling 3-2 classic. The match ended in controversy as United were denied a last, last-second equaliser as Bul Juach was adjudged off-side. There were storylines galore, most notably Kaine Sheppard facing his old club for the first time – as did Leo Mazis. However, it was Sheppard’s strike partner Ciaran Bramwell who stole the show with two goals to put the Knights 2-0 up. Anthony Lesiotis then produced an early contender for Goal of the Year with a 35m rocket to get Heidelberg back in the game. The Warriors had countless chances flash across the face of goal before Max Bisetto finally found the equaliser. However, Knights would find a winner with 10 minutes to go, impressive debutant Alex Hird pouncing on a bouncing ball, heading down to substitute Josh Karantz – who’d only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes – to volley home superbly. Knights coach Ivan Franjic said his young team stood tall under immense pressure. “It’s been different being a coach, than a player, so the heart-rate was right up there (at the end),” Franjic said. “The boys showed a lot of heart and character, we’re obviously a lot younger this year, and for a young team I thought they were brilliant. “We rode our luck but it evens out through the course of the game. “This is only the start, I don’t think we’ve touched the surfaces of how good we can be, but we’ll get there during the year and the crowd was great.”

KAMARA ANSWERS THE CALL

With time winding down and the match up for grabs it was Avondale defender Kalilou Kamara who produced the match-winning moment. Kamara’s towering header in the 93rd minute secured the Avengers a come-from-behind 2-1 win over premiership rival Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve. Avondale recruit Luca Tevere opened the scoring early in the first half, splitting two Oakleigh defenders and beating an on-rushing Nick Feely. Oakleigh was back level just a minute into the second half, a lovely passing play down the left ending with Asad Kasumovic tucking it home. However, as it looked like the two teams would settle for a draw, Kamara snatched all three points. In a best-on-ground debut, Tevere turned provider, his cross finding a charging Kamara to head home.

PRESTON ROARS ON RETURN

Preston Lions are back in the NPL for the first time since 2009 and immediately in the winners’ circle to boot. The Lions claimed a stirring 2-1 win over last season’s semi-finalist Hume City at a heaving BT Connor Reserve on Friday night. After a scoreless first half, the match burst into life as Preston found the opener on 54 minutes. A pin-point Jason Romero cross finding fellow debutant Lleyton Brooks at the back post to head home. A terrific effort by Giorgio Serdenes to intercept the ball and then win a free kick. The ball fell to Romero at the back of the pack and his deflected shot found the back of the net to cap a man-of-the-match performance. Hume City found a late consolation as last season’s VPL1 Golden Boot winner Michael Domfeh bundled home a goal in the 93rd minute.

THUNDER PERFECT START

Dandenong Thunder captain Ali Soulemani gave his side the perfect start on Saturday against Green Gully, scoring the opening goal of the match in just the sixth minute. The skipper burst out of a scrimmage, sped past a defender and fired home across goal. Just before half-time his former teammate Kasper Hallam had Gully level. The Cavaliers forward pouncing on a spilled save from ex-A-League keeper Jamie Young to poke the ball home. Gold Medallist Aamir Abdullah with the assist. However, it was the home team that claimed all three points as debutant Hassan Jalloh made a strong first impression. A terrific through ball from Daniel Clark sprung Jalloh and he had no trouble firing past Liam Driscoll. Jalil Regague had a glorious chance to equalise late for the visitors but mistimed his jump as he found himself all alone in front of goal and missed Abdullah’s delivery.

DERBY GOALFEST

The Croatian derby between Dandenong City and St Albans on Sunday certainly didn’t disappoint with a six-point bonanza. It all started in the sixth minute, a strong run from Oliver Dragicevic and then classy Joey Monek finish under pressure giving the visitors a perfect start. However, it would last just three minutes as a bursting Jackson Lino set up Will Bower to equalise. The Saints were back in front just two minutes into the second half as Dragicevic was brought down inside the box and Mickel Platt converted from the spot. This time the lead lasted just 90 seconds as again Will Bower found the immediate reply. For the third time, St Albans would take the lead and for the third time Dragicevic provided the assist as Monek curled home his second on 55 minutes. This time the lead lasted 10 minutes before City equalised again. Bower was brought down in the box and instead of having a crack at a hat-trick it was Kenny Athiu who stepped up and converted to make it 3-3. And that is where it remained at the final whistle.

O’HEA HEROICS

Welcome to Northcote City Deven O’Hea. The Canadian striker made the perfect first impression on Friday night, scoring a hat-trick in Hercules’ 3-2 win over North Sunshine Eagles at John Cain Park. The Canada youth international produced an early Goal of the Year contender with a stunning bicycle kick to give the home team a 2-0 lead. North Sunshine, which won promotion from VPL2, found a breakthrough just before half-time as Yusuf Karadag poked home through traffic. However, O’Hea restored the two-goal buffer on the hour mark. The Eagles fought back again with 20 minutes left through Ndue Mujeci but couldn’t find the equaliser to earn a share of the points.

LOFTS’ DEBUT TO REMEMBER

Big things were expected of Luke Lofts this season after signing from Bulleen Lions and he delivered on Saturday night as Caroline Springs George Cross defeated Langwarrin 3-0 on the road at Lawton Park. Lofts scored twice, while Riki Hosoai also found the back of the net in a successful start to the season. The Georgies are chasing potential inclusion in the National Second Division and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Preston Lions and earn promotion up to NPL Victoria.

GREENS START STRONG

Each relegated from NPL in the past two seasons, Bentleigh Greens welcomed Moreland City to VPL1 with a 3-0 hammering at Kingston Heath on Friday night. Somalia international Ismail Haji, Cameron Saul and Ayden Von Essen all hit the scoreboard. Haji reunites with George Katsakis from Heidelberg United, Von Essen arrived from American club Little Rock, while Saul signed on from Eastern Lions. It is the perfect start for Greens who no doubt have eyes on promotion after a disappointing 2024, which saw them finish eighth.

MANNINGHAM SNATCHES POINT

Manningham United’s return to VPL1 looked headed for disaster, trailing Melbourne City 2-0 at Pettys Reserve. However, a second half fightback earnt the club a point. Ryan Kalms and Beckham Baker had given City a two-goal lead at half-time. However, after a choice words from coach George Karkaletsis, United stormed back with goals from Jose Ramirez and the ever-reliable Ben Everson.

ALL SQUARE IN DERBY

A six-year wait ended on Saturday night as Geelong and North Geelong renewed their cross-town rivalry in VPL2. The two teams came together in different circumstances, North Geelong relegated for a second consecutive season, while Geelong earned promotion back up after dropping down to State League 1 last year. And in a pulsating end-to-end contest the two could not be separated. Casian Anghel gave the Warriors the perfect start, opening the scoring with a free-kick from outside the box in just the third minute, before Jack McTaggart equalised for the hosts on the half-hour mark. Geelong took the lead thanks to Zac Kocankovski in the 75th minute but it lasted just 10 minutes as Sonny Brimmer levelled the scores five minutes from time. Geelong keeper Tommy Josifovski also saved a penalty to secure a point.

REDBACKS, UNITED MAKE PERFECT START

Reigning State League 1 premiers Eltham Redbacks and Whittlesea United made perfect starts to life in VPL2. Eltham travelled down to Box Hill United and claimed a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Billy Romas and Tremayne Sadler either side of half-time. The win marked the Redbacks’ first appearance at the level. Meanwhile, United hosted VPL1 relegated Werribee City at Epping Stadium and also came away with a 2-0 win. Marcus Day and Mert Tuna both found the back of the net as Whittlesea also celebrated its maiden appearance.

MAMALIGA FIRES PACCO TO WIN

Dragos Mamaliga made a match-winning debut for Pascoe Vale, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over promotion-winning Springvale White Eagles at the Serbian Sports Centre. The Moldovan youth international came across from Werribee City in the off-season and made an instant impact. The goalscorer was pleased with the chemistry so early in the season. “It’s something we’ve been working on, both strikers working off each other,” Mamaliga said. “Today it was me and Tommy (Barforosh), it could be me and Paz, whoever. “I just saw the ball, saw the keeper off his line and put it in the back of the net. “The fight we showed to the end was phenomenal, it shows no matter where we go this year we’re going to have that spirit and belief.”

ROYALS CLAIM SPICY OPENER

There was two red cards and plenty of drama but Essendon Royals came away with a 2-1 win over Altona City at Allan Reserve on Saturday. Jordan Adeyami scored both goals for the Royals and he was central to the match’s flashpoint just before half-time. City goalkeeper Patrick Cristea took exception to Adeyemi attempting to poke the ball out of his hands, causing a push-and-shove. Cristea and Royals veteran Vince Lia were both given their marching orders as a result. Altona hit back just two minutes into the second half, Ben Bowler scoring from the penalty spot. However, the visitors couldn’t find the equaliser.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The opening round of the season wrap up on Monday night with three matches. Melbourne Victory returns to the top flight when it hosts Altona Magic at the Home of the Matildas, while in VPL1 Kingston City hosts VPL2 premier FC Melbourne at The Grange and Bulleen Lions tackles Western United at the Veneto Club.