Check out all the NPL and VPL highlights from across the weekend

TALKING POINTS: Preston’s win over South Melbourne will live long in the memory, but does it spell trouble for Hellas, and there were plenty more highlights across the NPL and VPL.

Gian Albano celebrates a goal for Preston Lions. Picture: Matt Johnson

Fair to say Preston and South Melbourne has dominated the talk around the NPL Victoria water cooler since Friday night.

However, there were some eye-catching clashes across the weekend in NPL and VPL.

There were some stunning goals and classic saves.

Check out all the highlights below.

Jason Romero is brought down by Jonathan Pithoulas. Picture: Matt Johnson

GLORY DAYS

It’s a crowd only seen in local Aussie Rules on grand final day. It’s a crowd A-League clubs can sometimes only dream of. This was Round 5 on a Friday night in the NPL. Preston Lions and South Melbourne drew more than 9000 people to BT Connor Reserve. Plenty more were turned away at the door as the sold out sign went up well before kick-off. With an electric atmosphere that bettered that seen at last year’s Australia Cup clash, Preston lifted in the second half to claim a 2-0 win against their fierce rivals. After a tight, scoreless first half, Hellas goalkeeper Jonathan Pithoulas made the mistake of taking on Jason Romero. He lost possession and held the Lions striker, earning a red card for the foul. With third-string keeper Jake Charlston in net, Gian Albano stepped up to the spot and produced a cheeky Paneka to open the scoring. The points were sealed with a sweeping attacking move, Brandon Lauton’s pass carving the South defence and setting up Lleyton Brooks for his fourth goal of the season.

Lions’ head coach Louis Acevski said it was a big performance in a big game. “It feels great, I’m very proud of the boys’ performance,” Acevski told club media. “We know it’s going to be a hard game against South Melbourne, a big derby game, 16 or 17 games since we played each other in a league game. “I’d say this is the biggest crowd in the NPL since 2005 if I’m not wrong. “The boys handled it really well, when you play for Preston and there’s 9000 people, 5000 the week before, 4000 the week before that, you know the crowd is behind you.” Acevski joked Albano had “big balls” for choosing a Paneka from the penalty spot. The senior coach was on the field last time, as goalkeeper, the last time Preston Lions played South Melbourne in the league. He said the atmosphere on the night was something special. “It’s not about beating South, it’s about the surroundings, you know 9000 people,” he said. “Coming here 10 years ago there was 25 people watching the game, this is a dream. We’ve been pushing the boundaries to get people back here to love the game, love the product and love the club.”

TROUBLE FOR SOUTH?

South Melbourne coach Esteban Quintas was criticised for fielding an inexperienced team last week against St Albans. It backfired in a 3-0 loss. Making matters worse, star goalkeeper Javi Lopez was injured. It saw Jonathan Pithoulas, who was playing VPL2 for Goulburn Valley Suns last season, step into the starting XI. A brainfade saw him concede a penalty and earn a red card on Friday night. The loss to Preston makes it two defeats on the trot and three games without a win after a 3-3 draw with Melbourne Victory that needed a 96th minute equaliser to rescue a point. It’s only three games and we’re only five rounds into the season but the reigning premier has made a stuttering start and will need to find its best if it is going to again challenge for silverware this season. The loss dropped Hellas down to seventh. A difficult assignment awaits on Saturday with the long trip out of George Andrews Reserve to face an in-form Dandenong Thunder.

CITY HIGH FIVE

Green Gully’s season is not going the way it planned. Dandenong City came into Gully Reserve on Friday night and humiliated the hosts on the way to a 5-0 victory. The Cavaliers actually had more shots (14-10) and had the same number on target (5) but were carved open too often by City. Will Bower began the romp in the sixth minute and Kenny Athiu doubled the lead in the 23rd before Jamie Latham made it three just before half-time. In a man-of-the-match performance against his former club Latham set up Athiu’s second in the 80th minute and finished the job himself with another breakaway goal in the 90th. Gully sit last on the NPL ladder, one of only two teams without a win this season, alongside Melbourne Victory. The Cavaliers will hope to break their duck when they welcome Melbourne Knights to Gully Reserve on Friday. City must traverse Melbourne once again next week as they travel to Paisley Park to meet Altona Magic.

🚨 NPLMVIC GOAL! 79:08: Dandenong Thunder FC score to make it DTFC 3 : HUFC 2.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/SD1KcDDDwUpic.twitter.com/KDGunv3ygy

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 8, 2025

THUNDER COMEBACK

Look out, Dandenong Thunder sit fifth on the ladder and are looking ominous. In a pulsating back-and-forth encounter with Heidelberg United, the Thunder pinched all three points to seal a stunning come-from-behind victory at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday night. Heidelberg had opened the scoring in the 38th minute as Max Bisetto pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area, scoring his third of the campaign. The hosts were level in the 55th minute as Thunder skipper Ali Sulemani converted from the penalty spot after Yuki Ushida was brought down by Ben Collins. Parity didn’t last long as goalkeeper Yaren Sozer provided the assist for Fletcher Fulton to put the Warriors back in front just 60 seconds after coming on as a substitute. However, the lead lasted even less as Dandenong were awarded a second penalty just three minutes later after a handball. Sulemani again stepped up to level the scores. The home team would find a winner in the 80th minute. Another corner causing chaos in the Heidelberg defence and star recruit Hassan Jalloh headed home from close range. Despite having fewer shots and shots on target, Thunder take three points and look to be in a position to challenge for finals.

GOALS KEEP PILING UP

A simple look at the scoreboard would suggest another comfortable victory for Avondale. Far from it. Fresh off a stunning win over South Melbourne and back in front of their fans at Churchill Reserve, St Albans was looking to make it two in a row and clearly had momentum from last week when Josh Divin opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a quick-thinking snap shot. The Saints held firm but Yusef Ahmed finally got the Avengers back on level terms in the 64th minute. With the visitors pressing hard, the dam wall broke in the 81st as George Ott gave Avondale its first lead of the match. In injury time, Ahmed scored his second Luca Tevere put a cherry on top but the score didn’t tell the full tale. After five rounds in 2023, as Avondale went on to smash the NPL goalscoring record, it had 19 goals – thanks to a 7-0 thrashing of Moreland City. Ominously, the Avengers have 17 goals through the first five games this season.

🚨 NPLMVIC GOAL! 29:58: Oakleigh Cannons FC score to make it MVFC 0 : OCFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/SD1KcDDDwUpic.twitter.com/M0nxJM8uR8

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 9, 2025

CANNONS TOO GOOD

Oakleigh showed Melbourne Victory’s youngsters the standard they will need to reach to contend in the NPL. The Cannons were a class above last year’s VPL1 premier at Kingston Heath on Sunday. Joe Guest got the ball rolling for the defending champions, scoring a sublime Olympico, curling the ball in from the corner and over Christian Sicilliano’s outstretched hand. The skipper made it two for himself and his club as he confidently converted from the penalty spot just after half-time. Joe Knowles the continued his early-season goalscoring form with a goal in injury time, pouncing on the rebound from Asad Kasumovic’s saved effort.

HUME KEEPS TOUCH

A tough 2-0 win over Altona Magic has Hume City sitting five points behind league-leader Avondale. City is looking to improve on last season’s fifth-placed finish in the premiership and has made a strong start to the campaign, winning two and drawing one after an opening round loss to Preston. Joel Russell got the party started at Broadmeadows Stadium on Friday night, slamming home a volley after Harry Ascroft had won a header in the box. Favourite son Birkan Kirdar made it two goals in two matches when he converted from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. Hume will travel to the Home of the Matildas on Friday night to tackle Heidelberg United.

KNIGHTS BOUNCE BACK

After a Round 1 win over Heidelberg it had been a tough few weeks for Melbourne Knights. Three straight defeats – albeit to last year’s top three – saw nine goals conceded and just two scored. However, the club bounced back superbly on Sunday at Knights Stadium. A rousing 3-0 win over Port Melbourne is Chris Oldfield’s first clean sheet of the campaign. Before fans had even sat down with their cevapi, Fraser Dunlop and Steve Lawless gave the hosts the perfect start, both scoring in the opening 10 minutes. Ciaran Bramwell finished the job to seal a much-needed three points and get some confidence back before a big game against Green Gully.

GREENS END UNITED RUN

Bentleigh Greens put an end to Western United’s undefeated start and moved to the top of the VPL1 ladder with a 2-0 win at Kingston Heath on Friday night. After a tight first half, Cameron Saul found the breakthrough for the hosts before Dimitri Rellos sealed the three points with a late strike. It’s a significant turnaround from last season’s heavy 7-1 loss to Western at Kingston Heath as the Greens look to make a return to NPL. Last season the club made a 1-1-3 start to the season. This year, it sits on top after a 4-0-1 start.

GEORGIES FIRING

After getting back in the winners’ circle last week, George Cross kept the momentum rolling on Friday night with a comfortable 3-1 win over Brunswick City at Dunstan Reserve. Josh Whiteley bagged a brace, to make it three goals in two games, while Luke Lofts also made it back-to-back matches with a goal in arguably the club’s best performance of the season. The only sour note, a late consolation goal for Brunswick, Kosta Emmanuel ruining Aydin Sayan’s bid for a clean sheet.

MANNINGHAM, MORELAND RESPOND

After both being humiliated last week, Manningham United and Moreland City both made immediate positive responses to get their seasons back on track. Manningham was too good for Langwarrin, claiming a 3-1 win at Pettys Reserve. Star striker Ben Everson bagged a brace, while Ioannis Georgopoulos also found the back of the net. After United took an early lead Tosan Popo got Langy to half-time level before the home team run away with it in the second half after Charles Fry was sent off for a second yellow card on the hour mark. Meanwhile at CB Smith Reserve, Moreland City bounced back with a 2-0 win over Eastern Lions. Marco Cannatelli and Jacob Byrns found the back of the net to give the club its first win of the campaign, while Max Minuzzo kept a first clean sheet.

CITY STEAL IT

An 88th minute winner from John Kellis snatched all three points for Melbourne City and sent the academy team up to second on the VPL1 ladder. City is just one of two teams yet to suffer defeat this season, along with Northcote City. Roland Ballah had given City a first-half lead at Casey Fields before an owl goal drew North Sunshine Eagles level shortly after the break. Just as it looked as though the two teams would settle for a share of the points, Kellis popped up to net his first goal of the season.

ROYALS PINCH IT

After being denied a win by a late goal last week, luck favoured Essendon Royals on Friday night. The clash with Pascoe Vale at Hosken Reserve looked to be heading for a draw until Dean Clarke popped up in the 79th minute to snatch all three points for the visitors. In a superb bit of play, Graham Kelly put Clarke through on goal, dissecting several defenders, and he made no mistake. The result sees Essendon jump up to third on the VPL2 ladder.

WHITE EAGLES FINDING FORM

After securing a breakthrough victory last week, Springvale White Eagles kept the ball rolling on Friday night, disposing of Box Hill United 3-0 at Wembley Park. John Kuol and Sam Orritt both opened their season accounts, while Miki Gamo found the back of the net for the second game in a row. The result sees the White Eagles jump up to seventh on the VPL2 ladder, while Box Hill sits second-last on goal difference.

REDBACKS READY FOR CHALLENGE

Can Eltham Redbacks follow FC Melbourne Caroline Springs George Cross and challenge for back-to-back premierships or promotion? The Redbacks put on another clinical display on Friday night, knocking off Boroondara-Carey Eagles 3-0 at Eltham North Reserve. After a scoreless first half, the match exploded to life in the second 45. Billy Romas, Steve Sokol and Josh Dennett all scored in a quick-fire triple hit. Then in a dramatic finish, Jamal Clarke was sent off with a straight red card, while Gavan Watson was given his marching orders for Boroondara-Carey. Eltham now sits on top of the VPL2 ladder, level with Brunswick Juventus, which has a game in hand.

CITY, SUNS MOVING UP

After middling starts to the season, Altona City and Goulburn Valley Suns both secured critical wins to keep pace with the VPL2 front-runners. They sit fifth and sixth respectively, both three points off the ladder-leaders. Shoin Ohta and Adam Oddo each scored to give Altona a bounce-back 2-0 win over neighbouring rivals Werribee City at Kim Reserve on Friday night. On Saturday, in Shepparton, the Suns were too good for Nunawading with a 3-1 triumph. A week after Mangara Munguakonkha scored a sizzling long-range goal, Cailyn Trask showcased his threat from range with an equally impressive goal to level the scores shortly after half-time. Callum Schorah then bagged a brace to secure the three points.

WARRIORS SHOW CLASS

It’s been a tough couple of years for North Geelong but the club seems to have turned a corner. Three wins in the opening five games of the VPL2 campaign has the Warriors sitting fourth on the ladder, the latest result a 4-2 victory over Whittlesea United at Elcho Park. The hosts had to do it the hard way as Corey Thomas opened the scoring with the most unbelievable of goals. Putting pressure on the North Geelong defence, his blocked pass ricocheted over the keeper and into the back of the net. A horror brainfade from United keeper Eren Arslan allowed Aguer Manyiel to equalise, as he rushed out to clear but missed the ball and the Warriors forward strolled into the easiest goal he’ll ever score. It wasn’t long after half-time before North Geelong’s star Sonny Brimmer made his presence felt, his audacious bicycle kick attempt set up Manyiel’s second goal to put the hosts in front. Atilla Ofli levelled the scores with his second goal in two games. Hamish Flavell made a desperate open-field save to deny Whittlesea and Angus Chapman rewarded him with the go-ahead goal not long after, a lead North Geelong wouldn’t relinquish. Luke Zivcic punished another Arslan error in the dying minutes to seal the three points.

ZEBRAS ON TOP

Last week’s clash with Werribee City was abandoned and has been rescheduled for Friday, July 11. Fast forward to Saturday and Brunswick Juventus maintained its perfect record, making it four wins from four outings with a 2-0 win over Geelong down the highway at Stead Park. Josh Urbina and Greg Siamoa found the back of the net for the visitors but Jamie Gazelle’s straight red card was a sour note. The Zebras are equal first with a game in hand as the club looks to challenge for promotion and the premiership this season.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTY

Just the one match on the public holiday as Kingston City hosts Bulleen Lions at The Grange to complete the VPL1 round. A win could send Bulleen to the top of the ladder, or at least equal on 12 points with Bentleigh Greens. Kingston, currently sitting 10th, could climb to ninth with three points.