Bentleigh Greens have become the first team to inflict a defeat on Avondale in the Victorian NPL after a dramatic 2-1 win at Avenger Park on Saturday.
In a pulsating encounter, all the goals were scored in the second half, with Matt Thurtell’s 62nd-minute strike proving to be the winner.
The defeat was Avondale’s first in their first 13 games in the league, allowing the Greens to close within four points of them at the top of the table.
Elsewhere, Heidelberg remain third despite a 3-1 loss to South Melbourne, Pascoe Vale thrashed Altona Magic 5-2 and Melbourne Knights and Dandenong Thunder played out a 3-3 draw.
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Queensland
There was a major shock in Queensland as well as Peninsula Power’s 100% record was ended by Lions FC in a 2-1 win for the visitors at AJ Kelly Park.
The Power, who had won all of their 14 games before the weekend, were undone by a clinical Lions outfit, who scored in each half through Shaun Carlos and Jheison Macuace.
As a result of their shock win, second-place Lions FC have moved to within five points of the Power at the halfway stage of the season.
In other results, Eastern Suburbs beat Sunshine Coast in a crazy clash at Heath Park, while Gold Coast Knights maintained their spot in third with a 3-1 win at Magpies Crusaders.
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Capital Football
Defending champions Canberra FC continued their resurgence as they beat Riverina Rhinos 3-0 to make it a third straight win in all competitions.
Ryan Keir gave them the lead midway through the first half before Daniel Barac scored twice after the break to push Canberra FC into the top-four for the first time this season.
Elsewhere, Riley Angelosante scored four goals as Gungahlin United thrashed Woden-Weston 5-0, while Canberra Olympic closed the gap on leaders Tigers FC with a 2-0 win over Belconnen United.
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New South Wales
Wollongong Wolves bounced back from their first defeat of the season last weekend with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Marconi Stallions on Saturday.
Japanese midfielder Takeru Okada was the hero with a second-half double, cancelling out Marko Jesic’s opener which had threatened to derail the Wolves.
The win means Luke Wilkshire’s side hold a three-point lead at the top at the halfway point of the campaign from APIA Leichardt, who squeezed past Mt Druitt 3-2.
In other results, Manly United moved into the top five with a 3-0 drubbing of Sydney United 58, while Sydney FC pulled off a shock 3-2 victory over defending champions Sydney Olympic.
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South Australia
Campbelltown City are looming as the biggest challengers to league-leaders Adelaide Blue Eagles after another impressive win on Saturday.
The reigning champions beat Adelaide Comets 3-0 thanks to goals from Iain Fyfe, Dion Kirk and Alex Mullen to leapfrog their opponents into second spot.
The Blue Eagles remain first after Evan Kounavelis’ goal handed them a 1-0 win over Adelaide United at VALO Football Centre.
In other results, Adelaide City edged past MetroStars 1-0, Raiders walloped Croydon Kings 5-1 and West Adelaide and Adelaide Olympic drew 1-1.
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Northern NSW
Free-scoring Broadmeadow Magic have won their second top-of-the-table clash in as many weeks after crushing Newcastle Jets Youth 5-2 on Saturday.
Kale Bradbery scored twice for the hosts as they raced to a 5-0 lead just after the hour mark before a couple of late goals gave the Jets some consolation in coach Labinot Haliti’s last game at the helm.
Elsewhere, Valentine Phoenix won the Lake Macquarie Derby 0ver the Roosters 4-3 in a thriller, while Lambton Jaffas and Charlestown City Blues played out a 2-2 draw.
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Tasmania
Devonport Strikers have opened up a five-point lead at the top of the ladder after overcoming Olympia Warriors 2-1 at Warrior Park on Saturday.
It’s the second time the Strikers have overcome Olympia this season already and they now looms as the favourites for the title.
Elsewhere, South Hobart beat Kingborough 4-2, while the Hobart Zebras scored a 6-1 victory over Clarence United.
CLICK HERE to go to the Tasmanian NPL home page.
- There were no NPL games in Western Australia over the weekend due to preliminary round fixtures in the FFA Cup.
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