South Melbourne is one win away from sealing back to back PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria titles after a 5-2 win against Hume City at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.
South within touching distance of title
The intensity commenced right from kick-off with South having more of the ball and trying to edge play out wide to the left with Nick Epifano on the end of insisting pass from the backline. Looking rather flat than usual in the first half hour, South Melbourne began to test the waters into the Hume's centre of defence and on 26 minutes stalwart Milos Lujic found himself fending off his immediate marker and a split pass to assist left wing Nick Epifano finish to his far post to beat Chris Oldfield for the game opener.
South Melbourne's goal could have turned the tables around with Hume intending to play deep courtesy of Issy Erdogan in the middle. Just before the break Hume showed early signs of desperation with late fouls awarded. One of them resulting in an indirect free kick but saw the first of two scrambles in Chris Oldfield's 6-yard area with defender Michael Eagar getting in the end for the finishing touch to extend South's lead to two.
The result means everything to play for in the final round this weekend with South Melbourne equal on points with Bentleigh Greens in the race for the 2015 NPL Victoria title.
Click here for the full match report.
Bergers finals tune-up continues with late draw
A late equaliser from substitute Reuben Way earned Heidelberg United a point in a 2-2 draw with Green Gully SC at Olympic Village on Wednesday night, cancelling out a brace from Evan Christodoulou.
Gully took the lead early through Christodoulou 14 minutes in, until a penalty was converted by Daniel Heffernan to restore parity just before the hour mark. The match took another twist instantly after, with Christodoulou giving the visitors the lead with a stunning long-range strike that thundered into the back of the net.
Click here for the full match report.
Avondale pile on pain for Oakleigh
Avondale have recurred from their weekend annihilation at the hands of South Melbourne to record a comprehensive 5-1 victory over a lacklustre Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve on Wednesday night.
A hat-trick to Jacob Colosimo and further strikes from Matthew Sanders and youngster Dean Campelj secured all three points for the visitors with Mirjan Pavlovic’s first-half goal proving to be mere consolation for the Cannons.
Click here for the full match report.