Langwarrin ends eight-game winless run, completes season sweep of Bentleigh Greens

Langwarrin ended an eight-game winless drought, beating local rival Bentleigh Greens for the second time this VPL1 season, to enhance its promotion hopes.

Langwarrin was too good for Bentleigh Greens.

What better way to end an eight-game winless drought by knocking off the neighbouring rival?

Langwarrin did just that on Friday night, a 2-1 victory completing a VPL1 season sweep of Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath.

The win also rekindles the Lions promotion hopes, jumping to sixth on the ladder now just two points behind Bentleigh Greens and five points from third-placed Western United.

Langwarrin also grabbed all three points in the under-23s fixture, marking the first time this season the club has won six points in a round.

Brad Blumenthal gave the visitors a half-time lead and Joe O’Brien looked have wrapped up the three points with an 89th minute goal.

Langwarrin was too good for Bentleigh Greens.

However, in an intense finish, Bentleigh struck back in the 92nd minute through Riki Foster-Hosoai but couldn’t find a late equaliser.

Langwarrin coach Jamie Skelly said it was a massive result for the club on a number of levels.

“They were above us on the table and in great form so it was a great win,” Skelly said.

“It’s good to do the double over them, it’s the first time they’ve been back in our league in a number of years, eight years I think.

“We were eight games without a win, drawn five and lost three, with most of them being away.

“It was a difficult period but while we weren’t winning we were in pretty good form and confident – we just weren’t getting the results.

“It was good to turn a good performance into three points.”

Langwarrin created a number of chances throughout the match, forcing Greens custodian Andy Withers into a string of fine saves.

However, the Lions found the breakthrough just after the half-hour mark as Blumenthal struck for the third time this season.

Just as it looked like the game was done, O’Brien sparked five minutes of mayhem.

Langwarrin took a 2-0 lead entering stoppage time before Foster-Hosoai struck to give the Greens hope but it wasn’t to be.

Star Lions defender Lucas Portelli made his return from a dislocated knee, which had seen him miss seven weeks, coming on in the 61st minute along with O’Brien.

Skelly revealed captain Rogan McGeorge and goalkeeper Griffin Bambach also played key roles in the victory.

“Joe came over from Perth this season and came off the bench with half-an-hour to go and scored the winner,” Skelly said.

“They scored in the 92nd (minute) so it was a little bit nervy late but we held on.

“We haven’t had a huge amount to celebrate recently so it was a pretty good feeling after the game.

“Our goalkeeper Griffin played well, he’s down from Queensland, and also our captain Rogan was really influential in the midfield.”

Langwarrin faces two more away games, travelling to Eastern Lions and North Geelong in the next fortnight before finally returning to Lawton Park.

The club will then have eight of its final 10 games at home as it looks to win promotion to the top flight for the first time.

As many as four clubs could be elevated if the National Second Division goes ahead.

“There’s a big second half of the season coming,” Skelly said.

“We’d all love to get there but it’s not something we focus on.

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“I’m coming in as a first-year coach this year so it was just about getting everyone on the same page, playing good football and getting good results.

“The ultimate aim is to get promoted but it’s not something we’re focused on.”

Elsewhere in VPL1, Preston Lions struck at the death to snatch a 3-2 win over Bulleen Lions, Eastern Lions claimed a 1-0 win over Brunswick City and Werribee City heaped more misery on North Geelong with a 2-1 away win.

A-League academies Western United and Melbourne City claimed 2-1 and 3-0 wins over Kingston City and Caroline Springs George Cross respectively.