North Sunshine moves to top of VPL2 ladder after handing Pascoe Vale its first loss

North Sunshine Eagles extinguished Pascoe Vale’s red-hot offence, while its own in-form striker hit the back of the net, to win the VPL2 top-of-the-table blockbuster.

North Sunshine Eagles celebrate a goal. Picture: Lee Roci

North Sunshine sit atop the VPL2 ladder after a clinical 2-0 win over Pascoe Vale.

In a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash at Larissa Reserve, the Eagles extinguished the previously red-hot Rams’ offence to remain undefeated.

Ndue Mujeci continued his impressive goalscoring form as keeper Rory Brian kept a clean sheet, holding a Pascoe Vale side that had scored 16 goals in three matches at bay.

The Rams’ hopes took a hit when they were reduced to 10 men just after the half-time break as Max Naveiro was shown a straight red card for a behind the ball incident.

Farah Farah then sealed the three points.

Abdalla Okud in action for North Sunshine Eagles. Picture: Lee Roci

Eagles coach Ben Isai said it was a critical win for the club’s promotion ambitions.

“It was a big game, leading up to it you could feel the energy through the week,” Isai said.

“It was good to get the win and there were a lot of happy faces at the club, players and supporters.

“It’s been a big focus for us, to start strong and accumulate as many points early on because it does make a big different later on.

“They came into the game having thrashed pretty much every team they’ve played against, so it was really important we were on and matched their intensity and desire.”

Mujeci opened the scoring in the ninth minute, the Albanian’s third goal in three matches.

It’s an impressive response after coming to Australia last season but going goalless in eight appearances for Dandenong Thunder.

“Three goals in three goals and he’s had to patiently wait on the bench for a few too,” Isai said of his striker.

North Sunshine Eagles celebrate a goal. Picture: Lee Roci

“He basically gave us no choice but to start him and he’s just going to get better and better.

“He hasn’t had a lot of football in the last two years through injury so we’re hoping to build him up and he’s going to be a real asset for us.”

Farah then finished the game off in the 80th with his second of the campaign.

Most pleasing for Isai would be the clean sheet, holding Pascoe Vale goalless for the first time this season.

“We focus on the opposition a little bit but a lot of it is on us and our game is really fluid and adaptive,” he said.

“We try and play our way and our way has mechanisms to stop teams scoring so we didn’t change anything.

“There would have been some subtle information for the players but we just try to play our game at the highest level possible because we know that will get the job done.”

North Sunshine sits on top of the ladder, goal difference ahead of surprise packet State League 1 North-West premier Altona City.

Essendon Royals are also undefeated but sit two points back in fifth with a 2-2-0 record following a 3-1 win over Beaumaris.

Elsewhere, FC Melbourne’s undefeated start to the season also ended with a 2-1 loss to Nunawading City.

Brunswick City defeated Box Hill United 1-0, Altona City edged Doveton 2-1 and Boroondara-Carey pipped GV Suns 3-2 in Shepparton.

After finishing third last season, narrowly missing promotion, Isai said the club had one goal for the year.

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“We need to go one step further and the start so far is positive,” he said.

“Our ambition is to keep going, we’ve got Nunawading this week, which is traditional a tough game.

“We added three players to the squad and a few youth players to rejuvenate.

“We didn’t need a lot of changes, we’ve had a lot of boys there for a number of years, and we’re hoping to continue to build on that because we believe we can go up another level.”