NPL Victoria Talking Points: Victorian clubs in National Second Tier running
Talking Points: Victorian clubs are putting their case forward for National Second Division entry, while the premiership races are taking shape in NPL and VPL1.
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It’s been another big week in NPL and VPL.
The competition premiership races are taking shape as we move closer to the half-way mark of the NPL and VPL1 season.
Meanwhile, the VPL2 season is finding its flow after the opening month.
Elsewhere, the National Second Division is moving closer to accepting new clubs for next year’s history-making kick off.
Plus, check out our Goal of the Week.
NATIONAL SECOND DIVISION LATEST
The deadline for National Second Division applications closed on Friday and it’s understood at least two Melbourne clubs are in the running. South Melbourne, Avondale and Preston Lions are already locked in. Caroline Springs George Cross was not part of the initial application process but has submitted its expression of interest and is now waiting on FA approval. Likely the only club to have entered negotiations outside the original 32, the Georgies submitted an application in January and are expecting to hear whether it will be allowed to present in the next month. Heidelberg United is also in negotiations in FA as it looks to win entry. The club did not proceed past the request for proposal stage last year but has maintained its interest and with more information on the competition now available is ready to take the next step. On Thursday, Melbourne Knights confirmed it would not be applying for entry with the competition in its proposed current state. The Knights remain interested in joining but has “a number of key elements remain to be of concern”. “The club firmly believes it to be in the best interests of the game in Australia that the current proposed competition either be further delayed, or abandoned entirely,” the Knights said in a club statement. “The club remains an advocate of an NST and welcomes further dialogue with Football Australia.” Bentleigh Greens, Brunswick Juventus and Green Gully were also part of the initial process when it began in 2023, when 32 teams entered bids.
14:20: GOAL! Manningham United Blues score to make it MCFC 0 : MUFC 2.
— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) April 13, 2024
Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/OLbeJFbIjO
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Manningham United and Moreland City scored some bangers in their clash at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday and the standout was Chris Theodorakopoulos’ thunderous volley in the 14th minute. As Moreland tried to play out from the back, Dau Akol pounced on a poor touch from Diego Cuba and rolled the pass to a charging Theodorakopoulos. The first time strike from outside the box smashed into the back of the net. Teammate Ben Everson hit a beautiful volley on the hour mark and Theodorakopoulos finished off the 4-1 win with another long-range strike in the dying minutes.
MAGIC MOVE UP IN WOODEN SPOON BATTLE
We’re only in Round 9 but the fight to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon is already taking shape. Altona Magic scored what could be a critical win as it looks cement itself in the top-flight, a 1-0 win over St Albans. After intercepting the ball, Ismail Haji was brought down in the box following a strong run and young gun Darcy Anastovski made no mistake from the spot. The win sees Altona move level with the Saints on points but leap-frog them on the ladder on goal difference. Moreland City’s 4-1 loss to Manningham United sees it rooted to the bottom of the table without a point. Magic and St Albans are next on seven points, while surprise struggler Green Gully is on eight, alongside Dandenong Thunder.
OLSEN MAIDEN GOAL, ELLIS CELEBRATES 200
Heidelberg United continued its impressive start to the NPL season, and celebrated club great Sean Ellis’ 200th game, edging old rival Melbourne Knights 1-0 at Knights Stadium. Off-season addition Nick Olsen scored his maiden NPL goal to secure the three points. Taking a more defensive approach after last week’s six-goal demolition of St Albans, United showed it can grind out wins as well. Yet to taste defeat, the Warriors sit third on the ladder four points behind leaders South Melbourne.
SOUTH ROLLS ON
A seventh win in nine games sees South Melbourne maintain its undefeated start to the NPL season and a three-point buffer at the top of the NPL table. Hellas poured more pain on Green Gully with a comfortable 3-0 win at Lakeside Stadium on Friday. Nahuel Bonada opened the scoring on the half-hour mark and Marco Jankovic and Andy Brennan also found the back of the net. Gully had the chance from the penalty spot to snatch a late consolation goal but two-time Goakeeper of the Year Javi Lopez showed his class to keep the clean sheet. He first denied Mo Adam but was adjudged to have come off his line. Lopez then stopped the second spot kick from Josh Hope.
AVENGERS BREAK DROUGHT, CLAIM SHIELD
Avondale coach Zoran Markovski believes his side rediscovered its mojo in Friday night’s 2-1 win over Oakleigh Cannons. The victory was the Avengers first at Jack Edwards Reserve since 2015 and also secured the club the season’s first silverware as the Round 9 fixture doubled as the Community Shield. The result sees the reigning premier and champion climb to second on the NPL Victoria ladder, three points behind South Melbourne. First-half goals from Stef Zinni and Yusuf Ahmed were enough to clinch an invaluable three points. Alex Salmon scored Oakleigh’s goal, his sixth of the campaign.
SHARKS RESPOND
After a 3-0 humbling from Oakleigh Cannons last week – and two draws before that – Port Melbourne rediscovered its rhythm on Saturday. The Sharks scored an impressive 3-0 win over Dandenong Thunder at Murphy Reserve. Emmanuel Peters opened the scoring in the 36th minute, getting on the end of a pin-point Jackson Courtney-Perkins cross. Marc Latsis then scored one of the best goals of the week. Charging onto an enticing cross from Eoghan Stokes, Latsis beat Thunder keeper Pierce Clark to the ball, with his header finding an empty net. Andrew Mesourouni then sealed the three points.
VICTORY CHARGES ON
As South Melbourne has done in NPL, Melbourne Victory has seven wins from nine games and sits undefeated on top of the VPL1 ladder. The A-League academy team has a six-point buffer to second-placed Langwarrin. It comes after a 2-1 win over Brunswick City at Epping Stadium. Jesse Hoey and Eli Adams continued their outstanding seasons, both finding the back of the net inside the opening 15 minutes. Will Tslamis was Brunswick’s goalscorer shortly after and the visitors were then denied an equaliser by the off-side flag. Victory capitalised on the close call to strengthen the defence and secure the three points.
LIONS PIP GEORGIES
For the first time this season, Preston Lions have claimed back-to-back wins to climb back into the VPL1 premiership conversation. A 2-1 win over Caroline Springs George Cross at BT Connor Reserve sees the Lions in sixth, just two points behind second-placed Langwarrin. High-profile off-season recruits Luc Jeggo and Marcus Schroen found the back of the net, while Morgan Filer got the Georgies goal.
GREENS BACK ON WINNERS LIST
After a shock 3-1 loss to Eastern Lions last week, Bentleigh Greens made light work of bottom-placed North Geelong on Saturday. The Greens picked up a comfortable 3-0 win at Kingston Heath, despite Kieran Dover’s red card. Tom Strickland, Chris Droutsas and Gevaro Nepomuceno all found the back of the net. Bentleigh faces a tough task on Saturday night, travelling out to City Vista to face Caroline Springs George Cross. Meanwhile, the pain continues for North Geelong, which remains pointless on the bottom of the VPL1 ladder. The defeat is the club’s 12th in a row, dating back to last season, and it’s gone 16 without a win.
WESTERN STORMS HOME
Diogo Ferreira’s half-time team talk clearly worked wonders for Western United on Saturday. The A-League academy team trailed Werribee City 1-0 at the break at Ironbarks Field before storming home to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory. Tom Biss had given the Bees a lead in the first half. Max Bisetto, Oliver Lavale and Mark Leonard all scored in the second half to put Western on top. Peter Giorges scored Werribee’s second goal but the visitors couldn’t hold on.
JUVENTUS ON TOP
A dominant 4-1 win over Beaumaris has seen Brunswick Juventus move to the top of the VPL2 ladder. Looking to bounce straight back after relegation last season, the Zebras have now won four games straight after a shock Round 1 defeat. Thomas Barforosh scored a brace and Lucas Oliveira and Justin Micallef also found the back of the net. Sean Grella scored Beaumaris’ only goal. Brunswick is one point ahead of North Sunshine and Altona City after both settled for draws and Essendon Royals. Juventus faces a challenge on Friday night when it faces Bell Street rival and premiership rival Pascoe Vale.
EARLY STRIKE ENOUGH FOR ROYALS
Having made a habit of scoring late goals in the early week, Essendon Royals changed things up on Friday night. Jordan Adeyemi scored in the opening minutes of the match against Pascoe Vale and it proved enough to secure all three points. The Royals remain undefeated in the opening five weeks and sit fourth on the ladder, a point behind leader Brunswick Juventus.
SUNS IN TROUBLE?
After reaching the national stage of the Australia Cup and making a VPL2 premiership run last season, Goulburn Valley Suns have made a horror start to 2024. The club has taken just one point from its opening five matches and sits 10th in the 12-team competition. A 3-0 defeat to FC Melbourne at Kevin Bartlett Reserve was the latest blow for the Shepparton-based club. Maksim Ilic scored a brace and boom recruit Luka Ninkovic scored his fifth goal in four matches as Srbija made light work at home.
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