NPL Victoria Men: Cannons smash Green Gully and climb to the top of the table

There’s a caller person successful NPL Victoria. Oakleigh Cannons, unstoppable successful caller weeks, present sit unsocial astatine the top.

The Cannons walked into Green Gully Reserve with 1 objective: three points. Led by the bonzer Adem Duratovic, who scored 4 times, the visitors demolished Gully 0–5, leapfrogging South Melbourne and taking outright archetypal place.

Chris Taylor’s broadside deed outrageous levels of performance. They opened the scoring successful the 6th infinitesimal and ne'er looked back, flooring the accelerator and leaving a ammunition shocked Gully behind. Duratovic’s 4 goals, on with a stylish decorativeness from Diaz, produced a footballing masterpiece that near the assemblage stunned.

South Melbourne were acold little objective this week. Hosting Melbourne City NPL, the Greek Australian nine couldn’t take thing from the match. The visitors struck aboriginal done Ballah successful the 10th minute, putting Hellas under contiguous pressure. Max Mikkola, successful reddish blistery form, equalised successful the 31st infinitesimal and the sides went to the interruption astatine 1–1. But the 2nd fractional didn’t travel the publication the location fans hoped for. Despite lifting their strength and pressing high, South conceded again when Lawrence Wong made it 1–2, a effect that knocked them disconnected top spot.

Heidelberg United were besides disappointing. The reigning champions travelled to Hume City and ne'er recovered their rhythm. Struggling to make openings, they fell 2–1, having gone two goals down by the 54th minute. Bramwell pulled 1 backmost late, but it wasn’t enough. The decision was different reminder of however acold this year’s United broadside is from the instrumentality that won the 2025 title. Whether Anastasiadis tin revive that version remains to beryllium seen.

Bentleigh Greens suffered a dense 2–4 location nonaccomplishment to St Albans. The Saints were sharper, much decisive and efficaciously wrapped up the lucifer by starring 1–3 astatine half–time. The 2nd fractional began the aforesaid way the archetypal ended – with different St Albans goal. Their 4th wholly broke Bentleigh’s resistance, with lone a precocious Petratos punishment reducing the margin. It was a level show from the Greens, who haven’t won since 27 March, when they bushed Dandenong Thunder 2–1.

Heidelberg United travelled to Hume City this week. Photo: Con Deves

VPL1

Only Northcote City emerged unscathed from the Greek Australian clubs successful Round 11. The league leaders hosted Melbourne Victory VPL1, imposed their football, showed their hunger to stay top and secured the points thanks to a Hallam strike successful the opening minute. A vital win for a broadside intelligibly determined to combat for promotion.

Brunswick City couldn’t get past North Geelong, losing 1–0 and sliding to ninth.

Even little sit the Sharks, who returned to decision aft three affirmative weeks. Away to Melbourne Knights, Port Melbourne tried to take something from the lucifer but fell 2–0, leaving empty–handed and deflated.

VPL2

Malvern City proceed to surge. The Greek Australian nine swept speech White Eagles 4–1, underlining their superb form.

Bayside Argonauts were little effective, drafting 1–1 with Nunawading contempt pushing for victory. Pythagoras impressed again, beating Moreland City 3–1 and filling their supporters with pride. Clarinda besides claimed three points, defeating Altona City 2–1 and climbing to ninth.

South Melbourne were acold little objective this week against Melbourne City. Photo: Con Deves

NPL – RESULTS

Green Gully – Oakleigh Cannons 0–5 (6′, 45+2′, 51′, 90′ A. Duratovic, 72′ L. Diaz)

South Melbourne – Melbourne City NPL 1–2 (31′ M. Mikkola – 10′ R. Ballah, 60′ L. Wong) Bentleigh Greens – St Albans Saints 2–4 (34′ L. Orestis, G. Petratos [p] – 14′ N. Koek, 20′, 54′ J. Monek, 43′ C. Jerome)

Hume City – Heidelberg United 2–1 (42′ C. A. Engelhart, 54′ A. Calver – 79′ C. Bramwell) Avondale – George Cross 5–2 (27′, 38′, 64′ B. Formaroli, 45+1′, 67′ J. Trajcevski – 36′ L. Lofts, 90+10′ L. Mazis)

Dandenong Thunder – Preston Lions 0–1 (34′ C. Cuba)

Altona Magic – Dandenong City 1–0 (21′ G. Arou)

NPL – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

Oakleigh Cannons 11 23

South Melbourne 11 21

Heidelberg United 11 20

Hume City 11 20

Avondale 11 19

Preston Lions 11 14

Melbourne City NPL 11 14

Bentleigh Greens 11 14

George Cross 11 14

St Albans Saints 11 13

Dandenong Thunder 11 11

Altona Magic 11 10

Dandenong City 11 8

Green Gully 11 3

VPL1 – RESULTS

Melbourne Knights – Port Melbourne Sharks 2–0

Northcote City – Melbourne Victory VPL1 1–0

Langwarrin – Western United VPL1 3–2

North Sunshine – Bulleen Lions 0–1

Manningham United – Eltham Redbacks 2–1

North Geelong – Brunswick City 1–0

Melbourne Srbija – Juventus 1–0

Bentleigh Greens suffered a dense 2–4 location nonaccomplishment to St Albans. Photo: Con Deves

VPL1 – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

Northcote City 11 26

Melbourne Knights 11 22

Brunswick Juventus 11 21

Eltham Redbacks 11 20

Bulleen Lions 11 20

Manningham United 11 19

North Geelong Warriors 11 18

Melbourne Victory VPL1 11 14

Brunswick City 11 13

Melbourne Srbija 11 12

Western United VPL1 11 12

North Sunshine Eagles 11 9

VPL2 – RESULTS

Box Hill United – Moreland City 3–1

Kingston City – Altona City 2–1

Essendon Royals – Eastern Lions 2–1

Whittlesea United – Keilor Park 4–0

Werribee City – Goulburn Valley Suns 2–2

Bayside Argonauts – Nunawading City 1–1

Malvern City – Springvale White Eagles 4–1

VPL2 – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

Malvern 11 28

Argonauts 11 21

Valley 11 20

Box Hill 11 20

Royals 11 18

Nunawading 11 15

Werribee 11 13

Keilor Park 11 13

Kingston 10 13

Lions 11 12

Springvale 11 12

Whittlesea 11 10

Altona 11 9

Moreland 10 6