NPL Victoria wrap: coaching changes, early relegation battles, Goal of the Year

It’s only Round 6 in the NPL Victoria but there’s already coaching changes and relegation battles. Check out all the major issues this weekend.

Brunswick Juventus captain Nicholas Symeoy.

It’s only Round 6 in the NPL and NPL2 but there’s already been coaching changes and relegation battles.

The weekend through up a number of hot topics across the weekend while the Australia Cup offers some intriguing mid-week matches.

Meanwhile Port Melbourne Sharks striker Valentin Cesnik produced a brilliant individual performance and it’s no surprise he takes home our Goal of the Week.

Check out all the NPL talking points below.

BENTLEIGH GREENS PART WAYS WITH SENIOR COACH

Bentleigh Greens have appointed Riccardo Marchioli as their new senior coach. He arrives from Newcastle Jets where he was an assistant coach to Arthur Papas. The Greens have started the season with six straight losses. They have scored three times and conceded 14 goals. The Greens have had coaching issues since last season with Marchioli replaces Petr Tichy who was previously at Hume City before jumping into the senior coaching role mid-way through pre-season. Alfredo Costantino was the first coach appointed for this season but he left not long after to undertake a coaching course overseas.

DERBY WIN FOR NEW JUVENTUS COACH

It only took Brunswick Juventus five matches to make the move on coach Gianfranco Impellizzeri after one win and a draw. However, the decision paid immediate dividends with the Zebras earning a critical 2-0 away win over Brunswick City in the local derby. Luca Andreacchio took the reins for Saturday’s clash at Dunstan Reserve and came away with all three points. Ben Everson was the hero, scoring both goals. The striker put the visitors in front in the 76th minute and wrapped up the win with a final-minute penalty.

It wasn’t the quickest coaching change of the season though with State League 1 club Corio parting ways with Bobby Stojcevski after a 3-2 defeat to Strathmore in the opening round. The club responded with a solid 1-1 draw at Brimbank Stallions in Round 2.

57:18: GOAL! Port Melbourne Sharks SC scores to make it DNT 1 : PMSC 4

Watch live and free on https://t.co/bOA3JNpERq#NPLVIC#DNTPMSCpic.twitter.com/HoWe6aofCW

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) March 25, 2023

GOAL OF THE WEEK

It was the clear Performance of the Week and Port Melbourne Sharks’ Valentin Cesnik also claims our Goal of the Week. The Sharks striker completed his hat-trick in style with a brilliant solo effort. Taking a pass in midfield, Cesnik dropped the shoulder to shed one Dandenong Thunder defender before dribbling to the edge of the area. As Thunder defenders backed off he stepped onto his left boot and thundered the ball past Francis Soale. His fourth goal was almost a carbon copy, taking a header down from Chris Duggan, Cesnik again was allowed time to tee up his left foot and smashed the ball cross goal and into the back of the net.

CITY BOUNCES BACK, WINS EARLY RELEGATION BATTLE

Both clubs said in pre-season matches between Moreland City and North Geelong would be critical to each club’s survival in the top flight. City took round one with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Warriors at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday. Apai Ukuno opened his season account with a brace, bookending City’s scoring, while Chudiar Tharjiath and Jamie Latham also found the back of the net. The result is a strong response after a 7-0 defeat to Avondale the week before and sees the club sitting seventh on the NPL Victoria ladder after six matches. North Geelong is in the relegation zone, sitting 13th.

KNIGHTS ON A ROLL

Melbourne Knights have won three games in a row after starting the season with two draws and a loss. And after five games without scoring, Knights striker Ciaran Bramwell finally found the back net in Friday night’s 3-1 win over Altona Magic. The 70-year-old club has also found their mojo in the attacking half in two weeks with six goals being scored. Before this, the Knights had only scored four goals from the first four weeks.

Sean Ellis in action for Heidelberg United.

WARRIORS STAY HOT

After a breakthrough win over South Melbourne last week, Heidelberg United continued its winning form with a strong 3-1 victory over Bentleigh Greens at Olympic Park on Friday night. Sean Ellis scored for the second week in a row, opening the scoring in the 20th minute, before Greens equalised in the 31st through Mitchell Rooke. However, United was back in front five minutes later thanks to Ajdin Fetahagic and substitute Eoin Ashton wrapped up the three points in the 83rd minute. The result sees the club jump up to 10th on the ladder after being bottom just a couple of weeks ago.

HOW LONG WILL THE CANNONS WIN STREAK LAST

Oakleigh Cannons has arguably been the best team in NPL Victoria this season with four wins and two draws. The Cannons split the points against Knights and St Albans and defeated Green Gully, Dandenong Thunder, Heidelberg United and Hume City. They are the only side undefeated alongside Avondale. The next question is, how long will the Cannons win streak last? The reigning champions take on South Melbourne on Saturday at home, followed by Bentleigh Greens away and then Port Melbourne back at Jack Edwards Reserve. If they can get through these matches with a win or draw, the streak will continue with Altona Magic.

SOUTH MAINTAIN WIN RECORD AGAINST SAINTS

A great tackle by Marcus Schröen on St Albans midfielder Troy Ruthven set up the winner for South Melbourne. It was substitute Maximilian Mikkola who scored the goal in the 1-0 win, which kept South’s unbeaten head-to-head record against the Saints in NPL history running. South Melbourne is the only side in NPL which St Albans has never drawn to or defeated in NPL history. The teams have played each other on five occasions.

MORE GOALS FOR AVONDALE

The Avengers continue to bang in the goals and they needed them on Saturday, escaping with a 3-2 win over Green Gully at Avengers Park. Liam Boland and Stefan Zinni both netted their fourth goal of the campaign and Liston Diaz became the 11th Avondale player to score in the opening six weeks. Adolph Koudakpo scored for Gully in the 87th minute to make it a nervy final few minutes for Avondale but the home team held on and remain top of the league.

Jayden Madafferi in action for Langwarrin. Picture: Valeriu Campan

LANGWARRIN HUMBLES RAMS

It was first v third at CB Smith Reserve on Friday night and Langwarrin secured a massive result. The Lions celebrated the long trip home after a dominant 4-1 win over then ladder-leader Pascoe Vale. Brad Blumenthal put Langwarrin on top in just the ninth minute and Archibald MacPhee made it 2-0 seconds before the half-time whistle. Tristan Meaker extended the lead before Tom Harris gave Pascoe Vale a sniff in the 62nd minute. However, Jacob Brito put the game to bed in the 87th minute and send his club to the top of the NPL2 ladder. Kingtston City jumps up to second after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Eastern Lions at The Grange Reserve as Triantafilos Skapetis and Paul Kuol both scored braces.

AUSTRALIA CUP BLOCKBUSTERS

The fourth round of the Football Victoria stage of the Australia Cup features some truly blockbuster matches. Perhaps none more so than reigning NPL3 premiers Preston Lions and reigning NPL champions Oakleigh Cannons at BT Connor Reserve on Wednesday night. There’s also some tricky ties for Altona Magic against Caroline Springs George Cross, Goulburn Valley and Pascoe Vale, Green Gully hosting Eastern Lions, Heidelberg United and Springvale White Eagles, Bulleen Lions travelling to Whittlesea United, Strathmore hosts Bentleigh Greens and South Melbourne facing Kingtston City. Let’s hope for some #MagicOfTheCup.