Check out all the weekend’s NPL and VPL1 highlights and the clubs winning promotion

TALKING POINTS: The first clubs to secure promotion are confirmed, as sadly are relegated clubs, while the Brunswick-Northcote derby did not disappoint.

FC Melbourne and North Sunshine have secured promotion.

We’re down to the final fortnight of the NPL and VPL seasons.

As we enter the final stretch, the first promotions and relegations have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, a couple of shock results keep the NPL top-six battle wide open.

Check out all the highlights from across the weekend.

Plus, a free-kick stunner claims our Goal of the Week.

PROMOTIONS CONFIRMED

Going up! Melbourne Victory will play NPL football in 2025 if they can get a point against Bulleen Lions on Monday night. Meanwhile, FC Melbourne and North Sunshine’s rise to VPL1 is locked in. Srbija didn’t even have to play a game to secure promotion. The club’s Round 20 match against Pascoe Vale at Kevin Bartlett Reserve was washed out and postponed. However, Altona City’s loss to Essendon Royals sees them lock in a top-two finish with three games in hand. It’s back-to-back promotions for FC Melbourne and could yet be consecutive premierships after it won the State League 1 title last year. Srbija will be joined in VPL1 by North Sunshine. The Eagles came agonisingly close last year but earn redemption with a nail-biting 4-3 win over Boroondara-Carey. Redouane Sarakh scored a brace and Ndue Mujeci and Yusuf Karadag scored as the visitors came from 2-1 down at half-time to snatch a critical victory at Wilcox Field. FC Melbourne and North Sunshine are locked on 42 points, with Srbija having a game in hand, as the VPL2 premiership battle looks set to go down to the wire.

RELEGATIONS CONFIRMED

However, the weekend also saw bad news confirmed for four clubs. Pending an announcement regarding the future of the National Second Division, relegation looms for Moreland City, North Geelong, Werribee City and Beaumaris. The end of Moreland’s two-year stint in the top flight was confirmed with a 6-3 loss to Altona City on Saturday. In VPL1, North Geelong has suffered the ignominy of back-to-back relegations, dropping from the top-flight to VPL2 in the space of 12 months. The Warriors went down 3-2 to Kingston City on Saturday. Werribee City will join them in 2025 after a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to premiership-chasing Preston Lions at Galvin Park. Meanwhile, a return to State League is on the cards for Beaumaris. The Sharks’ 4-1 loss to Goulburn Valley at John McEwen Reserve sees them fall 10 points behind the Suns in safety. Goulburn Valley is still battling to avoid relegation itself. The win sees it move two points clear of Doveton with two games remaining. Each club will be hoping Football Australia green lights the NSD and save it from going down.

55:08: GOAL! Hume City score to make it HUFC 1 : HCFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/jYWKQp8qvF

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) July 26, 2024

GOAL OF THE WEEK

Aamir Abdullah’s left boot is something special and he showed off the power and precision on Saturday night. The Hume City star launched an unstoppable free kick to snatch a point against Heidelberg United. Taking a free kick on the right of goals, five metres outside the penalty area, Abdullah perfectly curled the ball around the wall and inside the left-hand upright, giving Yaren Sozer no chance. The wonder goal beat out a strong group of nominees. In the same game, Sebit James Ngor smashed home a cracking volley from the edge of the area as the defence collapsed on him. Jack Pope’s first goal for South Melbourne was a memorable long-range strike under pressure and Damian Iaconis’ second goal against Manningham came from a cheeky backheel to momentarily level the scores.

SOUTH SMASHING

South Melbourne moves ever closer to a third NPL Victoria premiership. Port Melbourne was the unfortunate club tasked with facing Hellas fresh off a surprise loss to Dandenong City and the Sharks had no answers. South put on a show for its home fans at Lakeside Stadium, claiming a 4-0 win with some memorable goals. Skipper Harrison Sawyer’s 16th goal of the season gave his team a 1-0 lead at half-time before Marko Jankovic headed in Ross Archibald’s corner and mid-season recruits Jack Pope and Rob Harding also found the back of the net. Pope’s was particularly eye-catching. The youngster won the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Sawyer before fending off multiple defenders and curling the ball back across his body into the top left corner. With two games remaining Hellas is six points clear on top of the ladder needing only a draw to claim silverware.

AVONDALE KEEPS PRESSURE ON

The champagne remains on ice at Lakeside Stadium as Avondale and Oakleigh keep the pressure on. The Avengers claimed a dominant 6-1 demolition of Green Gully at Gully Reserve. Kristian Trajceski’s first half brace gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead before they turned on the style. Kur Kur, George Ott, Stefan Zinni and Liston Diaz all found the back of the net in the second 45. Gianluca Iannucci continued his scoring streak with the Cavaliers’ lone goal. While Avondale remains South’s final premiership challenger, it’s position is far from secure, sitting just three points ahead of Oakleigh, which eased past Melbourne Knights 3-1, and Hume City, while Heidelberg United is a further two points behind with two games remaining.

FANTASTIC FOUR MANNINGHAM

Beat ladder-leader South Melbourne one week, lose to second-last Manningham United the next. It’s been a roller-coaster fortnight for Dandenong City. Manningham showed off its goalscoring prowess at Frank Holohan Reserve on Friday night. The Blues jumped out to a two-goal lead as James Tountas opened the scoring in just the sixth minute and he turned provider 10 minutes later as Alexander Castiello doubled the lead, heading home with authority. However, Dandenong were level by the hour mark as Damian Iaconis scored twice, including a cheeky back heel equaliser. The momentum swung one last time as Ben Everson scored a late double. The winner came from the penalty spot in the 86th minute and he put a cherry on top in the 94th. The star striker now has 13 goals for the year. However, it could all be in vein as St Albans continued its winning streak to move four points clear of the bottom two, Manningham will have to win both its final two matches to be any hope of avoiding relegation if it is confirmed.

59:11: GOAL! Dandenong City score to make it DCSC 2 : MUFC 2.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/dDx36zBey2

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) July 26, 2024

MAGIC’S SUPER SIX

There were goals aplenty at Paisley Park on Saturday night as Altona Magic and Moreland City went toe-to-toe. It was the home team that landed the knockout punch, claiming a 6-3 and all but confirming Moreland’s relegation. Moreland scored first, Chudiar Tharjiath almost scoring a worldie but hit the post, before Rahul Suresh put away the rebound. The Magic were level just five minutes later as a sublime long ball from Aaron O’Driscoll found Daniel Fabrizio to volley home to make it 1-1 at half-time. Altona burst out of the blocks as Bul Juach put the home team in front and Mohammed Elhawli scored an extraordinary goal, his cross somehow rolling untouched into the far corner. Apai Ukuno got one back for Moreland but another quickfire double from Lawless and Juach sealed the three points. Juach secured his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, taking him to 13 goals for the season, and Jose Sanz netted a late consolation for Moreland.

SAINTS STAY HOT

It’s official, there is no hotter team in the NPL in the past month than St Albans. The Saints are riding a four-game win streak and have more points in the last four games than any other team – Hume City has 10 and South Melbourne nine. The club’s sensational form continued on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Dandenong Thunder at Churchill Reserve. Lucas Byrns has been in scintillating touch since arriving from Port Melbourne and scored an eye-catching winner in the 75th minute. Brian Summerskill unleashed the winger down the left and he dribbled deep into the box before smashing the ball over Antoine van Riet’s shoulder and into the roof of the goal. Critically, the win keeps St Albans four points clear of the bottom two with two matches remaining.

LIONS SURVIVE SCARE

Preston Lions remain in the VPL1 premiership hunt after surviving a late scare from Werribee City at Galvin Park. After bouncing out to a three-goal lead thanks to Connor Bell, Chok Dau and Luc Jeggo, the visitors looked to be cruising towards an easy three points. However, the Bees were not done. In the 89th minute, Ahmad Taleb saved a penalty but couldn’t stop Dante Siccita from firing in the rebound and Ali Dulleh scored a second in the 95th minute to make for a nervy finish but it was too late. Preston Lions sit four points behind ladder-leader Melbourne Victory, each with three games left. At the other end of the table, the result confirms a bottom-two finish for Werribee and relegation if it is confirmed.

DERBY CLASSIC

Saturday night’s Brunwick City-Northcote City derby had everything a derby should. Brunswick claimed a thrilling 5-3 win with goals from all angles at Dunstan Reserve. Star import Dylan Allshorn opened the scoring in the 21st minute, left all alone on the edge of the area, thumping home a long-range effort. Itsuku Narumi then doubled the lead in the 44th minute. However, Northcote hit back seconds before half-time thanks to Michael Domfeh. The visitors were level shortly after the restart as Domfeh turned provider for Alun Webb. However, parity didn’t last long as Will Tsiamis thumped in a rebound from the edge of the area and a Kevin Lynch own goal restored the two-goal margin after Gerrie Sylaidos’s cross. Domfeh converted from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to make a game of it, his league-leading 16th of the campaign. However, Northcote couldn’t find an equaliser and were punished as goalkeeper Brandon Cuminao pushed forward and Allshorn found an empty net on the counter-attack to seal the three points in the 95th minute. Allshorn has 13 goals on the season. The result ends Northcote’s premiership hopes and likely its promotion push as well having won just one of its past five.

UNITED KEEP HOPES ALIVE

A VPL1 premiership might be out of reach but Western United remains in the hunt for promotion after a nervy 2-1 win over Langwarrin on Saturday. United claimed a critical three points at Lawton Park despite rising star Abel Walatee seeing red after earning two yellow cards. Half-time substitute Nicolas Koek was the hero, scoring the winner in the 81st minute. Western had taken the lead in the second minute of the match through Michael Ruhs before Tom Youngs equalised on the half-hour mark for Langy. The result sees Western sit five points behind ladder-leader Melbourne Victory and one point behind second-placed Preston Lions but both have a game in hand.

GEORGIES FINISHING STRONG

The season hasn’t gone exactly to plan for Caroline Springs George Cross but the club has made a strong finish to the VPL1 season after winning the VPL2 premiership last year. The Georgies have won four of their past five, knocking off the likes of Western United, Preston Lions, Bentleigh Greens and, on Saturday, Eastern Lions. Goals to Riki Hosoai and Joseph Ridley secured three points at City Vista. The run of positive results sees the club sitting eighth with two games remaining, just three points off fifth spot.

ROYALS INTO TOP FOUR

If the National Second Division miraculously goes ahead and four clubs are promoted from VPL2 then Essendon Royals might have timed their run to perfection. The Royals spoiled Altona City’s return to Kim Reserve with a wild 4-1 win. Altona held a 1-0 lead at half-time thanks to a Liam McVey strike but it all went pear-shaped in the second half. Ethan Georgopoulos equalised in the 47th minute and the match exploded in the final 10 minutes. Royals keeper Christian Cogo saved an Altona City penalty in the 79th minute. Essendon took the lead in the 86th minute through James Tieri and City goalkeeper Patrick Critea was sent off in the aftermath. The visitors took full advantage, scoring twice in injury time, Vince Lia and Dean Clarke netting. The result sees Essendon leapfrog Brunswick Juventus into fourth and move with two points of Altona City in third. However, if it is just the standard two promoted, no one is catching FC Melbourne and North Sunshine.

SUNS KEEP NOSES IN FRONT

Goulburn Valley’s critical 4-1 win over Beaumaris keeps it ahead of the battle for survival. The win, combined with Doveton’s draw with Box Hill, sees the Suns two points clear of the bottom two with two games remaining. Callum Schorah finished with a brace and Brandon Giaccherini and Russell Currie found the back of the net at John McEwen Reserveon Saturday. Sean Grella scored Beaumaris’ goal. The Sharks’ relegation is now confirmed and a return to State League football in 2025.

AND IN THE STATE LEAGUE …

There are five games remaining in the State League 1 seasons. In the North-West competition, Whittlesea United is leading the premiership race. United is in the box seat for promotion to VPL2, sitting five points clear of Brimbank Stallions and six ahead of Geelong, which is looking for an immediate bounce back after relegation last year. Westgate remains a promotion chance as it sits fourth, four points behind the Stallions. Meanwhile, across in the South-East, Eltham Redbacks are in a similar position to Whittlesea. The Redbacks are five points clear at the top of the table, with Springvale White Eagles and Banyule City joint second. South Springvale and Malvern City are still in the promotion hunt as well, three and four points back in fourth and fifth respectively.