Check out all the highlights from the weekend’s NPL and VPL action

TALKING POINTS: Oakleigh’s Emlyn Wellsmore hits one of the cleanest strikes you’ll see on a weekend of thrilling goal-fests. Check out all the NPL and VPL highlights here.

Emlyn Wellsmore in action for Oakleigh Cannons.

It was raining goals across the NPL and VPL on the weekend.

There were thrilling goal-fests and stunning strikes galore.

Manningham United and Altona Magic played out a nine-goal classic, Melbourne Victory and Western United shared eight goals, as did Brunswick Juventus and Nunawading City.

Meanwhile, Oakleigh Cannons’ Emlyn Wellsmore scored one of the cleanest strikes you’ll likely see this season.

Check out all the highlights below.

Bul Juach in action for Altona Magic.

GOALS GALORE

There’s crazy and then there’s Manningham United and Altona Magic’s nine-goal thriller at Petty’s Reserve on Saturday. In a wild, momentum-swinging encounter, Altona Magic snatched a 5-4 victory. Bul Juach opened the scoring in just the fourth minute and it seemed a standard match as Altona Magic took that one-nil lead into half-time. That’s when all hell broke loose. James Tountas levelled the scores in the fourth minute of the second half before Altona piled on three goals in 10 minutes through Darcy Anastovski and Juach, who completed his hat-trick. Then in three minutes of madness, Manningham was level at 4-4. Tountas, Mohammed Al Saadi and pile-driver from Tom Golding sparking wild celebrations among the Blues’ faithful. There would be one final twist. In the 85th minute, Daniel Fabrizio stole the ball and Juach looked certain to score only to be denied by George Tzamouranis. However, the ball fell to Stephen Lawless and he made no mistake to pinch all three points.

Jake Najdovski in action for Western United.

GOALS GALORE II

Melbourne Victory has conceded more than one goal once this VPL1 season. However, on Sunday, debutant goalkeeper Yona Sultan had to pick the ball out of his net four times as Victory and Western United played out a stunning 4-4 draw. Young Socceroos hopeful Jake Najdovski put Western ahead in just the second minute of the match before Fabian Monge levelled the scores after 15 minutes. Six minutes later Luka Kolic had Victory in front only to see Abel Walatee make it 2-2 in the 25th minute. Najdovski restored Western’s lead from the penalty spot but the scoring wasn’t done as Adem Duratović made it 3-3 before half-time. United took the lead again early in the second half through Luke Vickery. Just as it looked like the game was over, Eli Adams hit a perfectly-placed free-kick to level the scores at 4-4 and keep Victory’s undefeated season intact. Victory is now six points clear on top of the VPL1 ladder, while Western sits fourth.

GOALS GALORE III

There were plenty of fireworks in Brunswick Juventus’ 5-3 win over Nunawading on Saturday. Not only the eight goals scored, seven in the first half, as Max Batchelor scored a hat-trick but Zebras captain Matt Whatley and City’s Felix Dimitrakis were shown red cards – Whatley a straight red. While Batchelor stole the show, Josh Urbina and Mitch Graham also found the back of the net. For Nunawading, George Margaritis, Alex Kubenko and Marcelo Arapis hit the scoreboard. The win sees Brunswick move to the top of the VPL2 pile on goal difference ahead of Altona City.

32:55: GOAL! Oakleigh Cannons score to make it HCFC 0 : OCFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/ZIxGTcRsH9

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 11, 2024

GOAL OF THE WEEK

We were spoilt for choice this week with five genuine Goal of the Week contenders. First the honourable mentions go to Manningham United pair James Tountas and Tom Golding and Oakleigh’s Alex Salmon. The bronze goes to Sean Ellis for a superb curling finish from outside the box. The silver is awarded to Avondale’s Cian Cuba for a inch-perfect strike from outside the box. But the winner is … Oakleigh’s Emlyn Wellsmore for one of the cleanest hits we’re likely to see this season. The Cannons young gun, waiting on the edge of the area, collects a clearance, takes on touch and unleashes an unstoppable laser into the top left-hand corner. You can’t hit it any sweeter.

KNIGHTS, GULLY FEAST

Round 13 kicked off in spectacular style on Friday night as Melbourne Knights and Green Gully played out an incredible 3-3 draw. Mohamed Adam gave Gully an early lead, putting home a rebound in the 17th minute. In the shadows of half-time it was all square as a Ciaran Bramwell cut-back found Gian Albano for the finish. The Knights took the lead just three minutes into the second half as Corey Sewell’s cross found Bramwell all alone. Two minutes later Ben Carrigan made it 3-1 and it looked like his team was headed for victory. However, Cavaliers’ young gun Shifa Ahmed struck just six minutes later and Josh Hope levelled the scores in the 67th minute. Hope beat Chris Oldfield to a long ball and despite a small hiccup as the ball bounced off the post, he had plenty of time to tap it back in. Knights and Gully sit ninth and 10th, locked on 15 points.

SOUTH RUINS WATSON’S SAINTS DEBUT

Cam Watson faced no harder task in his return to NPL coaching on Sunday. The former Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets midfielder was appointed St Albans coach last week, replacing Ryan McGuffie and caretaker Paul Donnelly. The Saints made the perfect start to the match as Alan Gerez opened the scoring just 16 seconds in, pouncing on some hesitant Hellas defending. However, it was all South Melbourne from there as Nahuel Bonada first levelled the scores just seven minutes later and put his side ahead on the half-hour mark, capitalising on a short back pass. Andy Brennan and George Tsitsinaris found the back of the net in the second half to secure the three points. Watson will look for his first St Albans win against Port Melbourne on Saturday.

CANNONS BACK IN RACE

Oakleigh jumped back into the NPL premiership race with arguably its best win of the 2024 season on Saturday night. The Cannons knocked off Hume City 2-0 at Broadmeadows Stadium as Emlyn Wellsmore and Alex Salmon scored two of the more stunning goals we’ll see this season. Wellsmore stunning long-range strike opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, knocking the spiders out of the top left-hand corner. Salmon then sealed the three points in the 87th minute with a superb first-time curling effort from the edge of the area. The result sees the Cannons leap-frog Hume into fourth, now just four points behind ladder-leader South Melbourne. Hume are fifth, two points further back.

86:37: GOAL! Oakleigh Cannons score to make it HCFC 0 : OCFC 2.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/CWFaHTuO5O

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 11, 2024

HIGH-FIVE FOR AVONDALE

Having beaten South Melbourne last week, Avondale couldn’t afford to slip up against a dangerous Port Melbourne outfit. The Avengers didn’t disappoint, hitting the Sharks for five goals in a 5-1 victory at Avengers Park on Saturday. Cian Cuba opened the scoring with an audacious long-range strike that somehow squeezed between Evan Markogiannakis and the post. Just four minutes later the game was level again as Emmanuel Peters’ shot through traffic found the bottom corner. However, it was all Avondale from there. Ayden Brice restored the lead after 27 minutes and George Ott, Kur Kur and Cuba’s second sealed the three points in the second half.

MORELAND ON THE BOARD

Moreland City is on the board in 2024 and determined to continue its winning feeling. After a number of close calls and heart-breaking losses, City finally banked its first three points with a commanding 4-0 win over Dandenong Thunder at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday. It’s the club’s first win since upsetting Heidelberg United 2-1 in Round 24 last season to secure NPL Victoria survival. Chilean star Jose Sanz bagged a brace, while strike partner Apai Ukuno and defender Michael Tzoutzidis also found the back of the net.

LIONS STAY HOT

A dominant second half secured Preston Lions three points and second place on the VPL1 ladder. Wes Jobello and Archibald Macphee sent the teams in level 1-1 after 45 minutes before the Lions hit their stride. A Matthew Whelan brace and maiden strike from Jakob Cresnar secured victory. The club has now won six games on the trot and is seven games undefeated. Preston face Bulleen Lions on Friday night at BT Connor Reserve before a blockbuster Australia Cup tie against South Melbourne on Tuesday, May 21.

GEORGIES ROAD-TRIP REWARD

A late Trevor Ssemakula goal secured a vital three points for Caroline Springs George Cross on Saturday night. The Georgies claimed a 3-2 win over Kingston City at The Grange to leap-frog City into ninth on the VPL1 ladder. Goals from Nicholas Georgopoulos and Aiden Brown had given the visitors a half-time lead. Cooper Legrand and Manyumow Achol found the back of the net for Kingston.

GREENS ON THE UP

After starting the season 2-1-3, Bentleigh Greens have found their rhythm under George Katsakis. The club has gone 5-1-1 in the seven games since the Heidelberg United legend took the reins, scoring 16 goals and keeping four clean sheets. Friday night’s come-from-behind 3-1 win over Brunswick City at Kingston Heath sees the club sitting fifth, just four points behind second-placed Preston Lions. After Brunswick had taken a 1-0 half-time lead thanks to Hamish Anderson, goals to Chris Droutsas, Jackson Morgan and Ben Bowler secured three points for Bentleigh.

ALTONA, SRBIJA EYEING BACK-TO-BACK

The incredible rise of State League 1 premiers Altona City and FC Melbourne continued on Friday night. Altona secured one of the biggest wins of its campaign, defeating Essendon Royals 1-0 at Cross Keys Reserve. Jayson Ziro was the hero with the match-winning goal. The club now sits second on the ladder, moving down from top spot on goal difference behind Brunswick Juventus. FC Melbourne is just a point behind after a strong 2-0 win over Pascoe Vale at CB Smith Reserve. Marko Basic and Cameron Davies scored either side of half-time to secure a critical three points.

SHARKS ON THE BOARD

Every club in the NPL/VPL pyramid is now on the board after Beaumaris joined Moreland City in clinching its first victory of the season. The Sharks jumped off the bottom of the VPL2 ladder with a 1-0 win over Goulburn Valley Suns at Beaumaris Reserve on Saturday. Tom Richards was the hero with the match-winning goal seven minutes into the second half. The Suns thought they’d cleared a long-range free-kick only for Richards, waiting on the edge of the area, to bury a long-range strike cross-bar down.

BATTLE FOR CUP NATIONAL STAGE BEGINS

Round 6 of the Australia Cup kicks off on Wednesday night when State League 2 club Hoppers Crossing plays host to VPL2 high-flyers FC Melbourne. A number of high-profile clashes follow, none bigger than Preston Lions’ clash with South Melbourne at BT Connor Reserve in an early taste of National Second Division rivalry. Winners will qualify for the Australia Cup national stage Round of 32 as well as the final rounds of the Dockerty Cup.

In other matches …

Moreland City (NPL) v Oakleigh Cannons (NPL)

Essendon Royals (VPL2) v Bentleigh Greens (VPL1)

North Sunshine (VPL2) v Avondale (NPL)

St Albans (NPL) v Green Gully (NPL)

Hume City (NPL) v Bayside Argonauts (SL2)

Altona Magic (NPL) v Heidelberg United (NPL)

Kingston City (VPL1) v Langwarrin (VPL1)

Caroline Springs George Cross (VPL1) v Altona City (VPL2)