NPL Victoria wrap: Avondale smashes record, latest transfer window moves

A big week for Avondale as the Avengers smash the NPL goalscoring record and secure two boom recruits. Plus, the latest from NPL2 and NPL3 and our Goal of the Week.

Avondale players celebrate a goal. Picture: Avondale FC

We’re in the home stretch of the NPL Victoria season.

As we get closer to finals, games are increasingly important as teams chase premiership or promotion glory or fight to avoid relegation heartbreak.

At the top of the NPL tree, Avondale has achieved a remarkable feat, breaking the NPL season goalscoring record with seven games remaining.

Meanwhile, the transfer window is open and several big names have moved clubs.

In NPL2, just 14 points separates first from last in a crazy tight season and in NPL3, Ballarat City is finally on the board with a stunning upset win.

Check out all the big talking points from the weekend here.

AVONDALE SMASH RECORD

It’s official, Avondale is the best attack in the history of the NPL. The Avengers’ 4-0 win over Green Gully on Friday night took them to 65 goals for the season, smashing the competition’s goalscoring record. Such has been Avondale’s unprecedented offence feats, the record was broken with seven games remaining. Avondale has four players in the top-five goalscorers this season with Liam Boland, sitting third with 10, while Stef Zinni and Zander Guy have nine each and Yusef Ahmed has eight. Many Aguek has seven and Kristian Trajceski has six, while also being one of the NPL’s leading creators.

The Avengers have been ruthless at times this season, racking up a 7-0 win over Moreland City and an 8-2 win over Heidelberg United. They have scored at least four goals in a match eight times in 19 outings and three goals another seven times. Only South Melbourne has been able to keep a clean sheet against Avondale. And that’s just in the league, Diamond Valley United copped a 17-0 pasting in the Australia Cup as Aguek found the back an incredible nine times. Aguek’s red-hot form has earned him a move to Europe with Maltese club Balzan. He could feature in the club’s Europa Conference League qualifying tie against Slovenian outfit Domzale. In his place, Avondale has lured fellow former A-League striker, George Ott, from St Albans.

Coach Zoran Markovski was proud of his team’s achievement but remained focused on the end goal – silverware. “We didn’t know until a couple of weeks ago that the record was 64, held by South Melbourne, but we don’t concentrate on records,” he said. “We’re just focusing on winning football games, me being an ex-defender I’m pretty happy that the boys have kept six clean sheets in seven games. “It’s going to be pretty hard to break, I reckon, especially after 19 games scoring 65 goals. “That’s the brand of football we play, if you look at South Melbourne being similar points but we’re 27 goals clear of them. “One plays a high octane brand of football and takes the game on and scores fantastic team goals and the other is just a long-ball team that defends for their life. “It’s been pretty even, usually you’ve got one linchpin that delivers 15 or 20 goals but this year we’re spreading it across the board, which is fantastic.”

GOAL OF THE WEEK

The most eye-catching goal is certainly Ciaran Bramwell’s header for Melbourne Knights. Ivan Franjic’s inch-perfect long ball finds the charging Bramwell and his header loops perfectly over the on-rushing Altona Magic goalkeeper and into the empty net. However, Franjic’s ball aside, one might suggest it was a tad lucky and more a goalkeeping error. As such we’ve gone for Alex Salmon’s match-winning strike for Oakleigh Cannons. In the opening minute of the second half, Salmon takes the ball on the left side of the box, steps inside and unleashes a shot through a defender and into the bottom corner. A lovely bit of skill and it ultimately proved decisive as the Cannons claimed four points on the road against Hume City to cement themselves in third on the ladder.

TRANSFER WRAP

It’s been a busy, busy week on the transfer market and there’s still a couple of day to go before the window shuts. Arguably, the biggest moves have been made by ladder-leader Avondale, which has lured centre-forward George Ott and gun midfielder George Mells from NPL rivals St Albans and Port Melbourne respectively. Ott is an excellent replacement for the departing Many Aguek, who is heading to Malta, while Mells adds further riches to an Avengers midfield.

Melbourne Knights has secured the services of NPL2 leading goalscorer Anton Kinnander from Werribee City to boost its attack ahead of a finals campaign and bolstered the defence with the arrival of Ben Collins from Western United. Kinnander is a former Swedish youth international, while Collins made two A-League appearances for United and was on the bench for the 2021-22 premiership victory over Melbourne City.

Heidelberg and Hume City have been prolific, adding five players each. The Warriors have welcomed Johnny Apostolopoulos (Northcote City), Jamal Ali (Altona Magic), Mohamed Aidara (Altona Magic), Aamir Abdallah (FCI Lavadia, Estonia) and Pierce Clark (Perth Glory). Clark and Ali started in Saturday’s draw with Bentleigh Greens, while Abdallah came off the bench. Hume have added Jacson Riley (Rochdale Rovers, Qld), Albanian Aimilio Kista (Monaro Panthers, ACT), Josh Gulevski (Tigers FC, ACT), American Evan Waldrep (Syracuse Pulse, USA) and Birhan Elibol (Moreland City).

Elsewhere, Troy Ruthven has returned to Port Melbourne from St Albans Saints and Dandenong Thunder has secured Albanian forward Ndue Mujeci from FK Jezero. The Thunder have also added Jay Davies (Altona City), Luke Pavlou (Bulleen Lions), Alex Baker (Bentleigh Greens) and Maker Maker.

NORTH’S BIG STEP TOWARDS SAFETY

North Geelong secured arguably it’s biggest win of the season with a 1-0 triumph over relegation rival Moreland City on Saturday. The Warriors took the lead in just the seventh minute and kept an invaluable clean sheet. Luka Jurkovic held up the ball before turning strongly and battling past his marker with his shot from the narrowest of angles cannoning off City defender Michael Tzoutzidis and into the net. The result lifts North Geelong out of the relegation zone, leap-frogging Moreland, and into safety. After secured a draw against Heidelberg, Bentleigh is bottom on 11 points, Moreland City is next on 12 and North Geelong has 13 points. St Albans is far from safe in 11th with 16 points.

ALTONA’S MAGIC COMEBACK

When Ciaran Bramwell’s crazy goal bounced in to give Melbourne Knights the lead just before half-time at Paisley Park, one might be forgiven for thinking that was the game. However, Altona Magic came out firing after the break after some words of magic from coach John Markovski. Tommy Semmy had the home team level just three minutes as he charged onto a long ball before stepping back inside and unleashing a left-footed shot that was too much for Knights custodian Chris Oldfield. The PNG international then put this team in front four minutes later from the penalty spot. Jonas Markovski’s shot was fumbled by Oldfield who then brought down the Magic ace as he tried to gather the rebound and Semmy had no trouble earning his brace. The result ensures Altona remains in the hunt for a top-five finish, sitting in seventh just five points behind Port Melbourne. The Knights remain in fourth but a couple of stumbles have loosened their grip in a finals spot.

GREENS, WARRIORS ALL SQUARE

Bentleigh continues to pick up important points as it battles to save its season and place in the NPL top-flight. The Greens earned a second consecutive draw on Saturday to remain in the fight for survival. Mario Barcia gave Bentleigh the lead at Kingston Heath with a long-range strike that somehow found its way though heavy traffic and into the back of the net. However, Heidelberg United snared a share of the points when Kaine Sheppard pounced on a loose ball to poke home in the second half. Bentleigh remains on the bottom of the ladder but is just two points behind North Geelong and safety.

EARLY START

Easy to forget Round 19 actually started a full week ago when South Melbourne hosted St Albans last Tuesday. The 4-0 win over St Albans is South’s final game at Lakeside Stadium before it is taken over by the Women’s World Cup. Max Mikkola gave the home team the perfect start as he converted a penalty in just the six minute. Saints keeper Jasmin Keranovic got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Lirim Elmazi doubled the lead in the 29th minute and Jack Painter-Andrews and Pat Langlois finished off the scoring before half-time.

JUVENTUS SURGES AGAIN

Zebras favourite Tom Barforosh only further enhanced his reputation with the match-winning strike in the Brunswick derby on Friday night. It secured Brunswick Juventus a critical 1-0 victory over Brunswick City at CB Smith Reserve. The star forward struck in just the second minute and it proved enough to secure all three points and lift the Zebras out of the NPL2 relegation zone. Juventus is now on 21 points, jumping ahead of Bulleen Lions and Pascoe Vale in the bottom two. The loss also sees Brunswick City drop closer to trouble, just two points ahead of their cross-town rival. Brunswick Juventus faces Pascoe Vale at CB Smith Reserve on Friday night in what looms as a potentially season-defining clash.

RAMS HIT BOTTOM

Pascoe Vale defended Preston Lions in the opening match of the season and won five of its first six matches to sit on top of the NPL2 ladder. However, it’s all gone pear-shaped for the Rams since with just one win – a stunning 3-2 upset of Western United – in the last 12 starts. The club has lost eight of its past nine and Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Langwarrin saw Pascoe Vale drop to the bottom of the ladder. A change of coach last month has failed to spark the team. Former Socceroo Ante Moric was unveiled on May 22 and has a 1-0-4 record. A potentially season-defining clash against relegation rival Brunswick Juventus looms on Friday night.

HIGH FIVE FOR UNITED

Young gun Max Bisetto jumped to the top of the NPL2 goalscoring charts with a brace in Western United’s commanding 5-0 win over Werribee City. The Moreland City junior now has 11 goals for the season, helping United sit joint top of the ladder. Oliver Lavale opened the scoring in the 10th minute at City Vista and Bisetto doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. Khoder Kaddour, Bisetto and Luke Vickery then found the back of the net in the second half to complete the rout. The dominant win all the more remarkable considering Jordan Lauton was given a straight red card in just the 35th minute.

TOO TIGHT TO CALL

Incredibly, just 14 points separates first from last in NPL2. Kingston City and Western United lead the way with 34 points while Bulleen Lions and Pascoe Vale face relegation with 20 and everyone else is in between. Just four points separates the top five sides with the premiership and promotion race wide open and likely to come down to the final day. Likewise, the fight for survival, with four points separating the bottom five. Manningham United and Langwarrin sit in sixth and seventh almost equidistant from the top and bottom – six points from a premiership and eight points away from relegation.

BALLARAT BREAKS DROUGHT

It’s taken 15 weeks but Ballarat City is finally on the board in NPL3. It stunning country rival – and premiership and promotion contender and Australia Cup Round of 32 qualifier – Goulburn Valley Suns 3-2 at Shepparton’s John McEwen Reserve on Saturday. Kenta Futami put the visitors in front just before half-time but Suns striker Russell Currie levelled just three minutes into the second half. Futami restored Ballarat City’s lead just five minutes later and Marc Anticev picked the perfect time to score his first goal of the campaign to double the lead in the 77th minute as a shock upset loomed. Declan Kinnane got the Suns back in the game with a late goal but it only proved a consolation goal. Ballarat City remains last, 10 points behind second-last Beaumaris and 11 away from Geelong in 10th. Meanwhile, the defeat is a major dent in Goulburn Valley’s promotion push as the fall 10 points behind ladder-leader Melbourne Victory and three points behind second-placed Caroline Springs George Cross.

LATE STRIKE SHARES POINTS

Fans certainly got their money’s worth at Stead Park on Saturday as Geelong and Box Hill played out a remarkable 4-4 draw. Michael Romas opened the scoring in the 11th minute and scored the last-gasp equaliser in the 94th minute in a stunning eight-goal thriller. Romas, Mustangs teammate Nikita Varelas and Geelong debutant Marvin Brauweiler all scored doubles. Box Hill had taken a 2-0 lead on the half-hour mark but Geelong hit back to level the scores before half-time through Tarek Atta and Anthony Trajkoski. Brauweiler, in his first game after transferring from North Geelong, then struck twice in nine minutes to give the home team a 4-2 lead. However, Varelas found the back of the net in the 77th minute and Romas tied the scores once more with almost the last kick of the game.

SO CLOSE FOR ROYALS

Essendon Royals strong run of form continued on Sunday, coming within seconds of knocking off NPL3 ladder-leader Melbourne Victory. Dean Clarke put the Royals in front in the 76th minute and it was very nearly enough to secure three points. However, the Victory snared a share of the points when Ryan Lethlean struck in the 90th minute. Once facing relegation, Essendon has earned at least a point in its last four matches with two wins and two draws to jump to ninth and two points clear of Beaumaris in the relegation zone.