Joey Monek delivers match-winning moment in St Albans’ win over Heidelberg United

St Albans favourite son Joey Monek delivered one of the moments of the NPL Victoria season, hitting the match-winning goal to give the Saints victory over Heidelberg United.

Joey Monek in action for St Albans. Picture: St Albans SC

It had to be Joey Monek.

The St Albans favourite delivered the match-winning goal to earn a stunning 1-0 win over high-flying Heidelberg United and send the Churchill Reserve faithful into delirium.

If the Saints end up avoiding the NPL Victoria wooden spoon – or relegation if it happens – it will look back on this as the difference.

On a night the club debuted boom mid-season recruit, A-League games record holder, Leigh Broxham the script couldn’t have been better written.

As the final whistle approached, Brian Summerskill almost produced a moment of magic, rattling the cross bar from 25m out.

Alan Gerez in action for St Albans. Picture: St Albans SC

Alan Gerez won a one-on-one and found Luka Cabraja who teed up Monek for a powerful finish in the 85th minute.

Dinamo coach Cam Watson was rapt to see Monek rewarded for his hard-work and dedication.

“Joey has been there a long time, he’s the perfect person to have in the changeroom and around the club,” Watson said.

“He’s either 100 per cent or probably asleep, there’s no in-between, and when he’s at training his output is brilliant.

“He’s very close to the club so it was great to see him get rewarded and score at home as well is even nicer.

“Everyone was pretty excited, which was good to see, I’m happy for everyone involved.

“It’s been a while since we won at home in the league and then on top of bringing new people in with fresh energy.”

Broxham made his NPL Victoria debut, playing 90 minutes, alongside two more mid-season arrivals.

Englishman Josh Fowler joined from UAE club Gulf United, while Michael Martinovic is on loan from Dandenong City, and Lucas Byrns started last week after crossing from Port Melbourne.

Watson was impressed with all his recruits on short preparation.

“Broxy was good, I think he’s a bit sore today though,” he said.

“I and a lot of people in football know what you’re going to get from Broxy, a leader, a winner, good communicator and a good footballer.

“Michael, who we got from Dandenong City, was exceptional, a lot of energy and very good in both parts of the game.

“Lucas Byrns who debuted last week was good and the new boy, Josh Fowler, who’s only been in the country for two-and-a-half or three days got through 80 minutes.

“Josh was playing in the UAE, in the second division, he only arrived on Thursday night so every session he get and every game he’ll be better for it.”

The result has major ramifications at both ends of the table.

St Albans moves off the bottom of the ladder, three points clear of Moreland City, and is now just one point behind Manningham United in 12th.

Relegation remains unknown with the National Second Division still to be officially confirmed for 2025.

Watson wants his club to put any doubt to bed and finish above the bottom two.

“It shows what is achievable,” he said.

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“As clichéd as it goes, we’ve got to take it week-by-week, we’ve got the next four games at home and if we can pick up points along the way we give ourselves every opportunity to avoid the drop.

“We don’t want to leave it to only one going down, we want to finish out of the bottom two to avoid the worst-case scenario.”

The Saints host Altona Magic, fresh of stunning premiership contender Avondale, on Sunday at Churchill Reserve.

The defeat sees Heidelberg drop to fifth, now 12 points off top spot, but still only five points in arrears of second place and a Week 1 finals bye.