Author: John Kyrou

South Melbourne FC defeated Werribee City 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening to move into second spot on the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria ladder and set up a monster clash against the first-placed Bentleigh Greens next Sunday.

Chris Taylor’s side had originally begun the round in third place (level on points with Heidelberg but with a slightly inferior goal difference) but was elevated into second spot thanks to Bentleigh’s 4-0 win against Heidelberg last Friday night.

Luke Adams returned to the starting eleven after missing the mid-week FFA Cup win against Frankston Pines due to international duties with New Zealand’s Under 20s. He replaced captain Michael Eagar, who missed the Werribee match having accumulating five yellow cards in the PS4 NPL Victoria in 2015 and therefore serving the mandatory one-match suspension.

Werribee City started the match the brighter of the two sides and would have taken the lead but for some timely saves from South goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic. As the half wore on, the home side got themselves back into the match and took the lead just before the half hour. Nick Epifano was released down the left side of the field and he honed in on goal before slipping the ball past the advancing David Thomson and into the back of the net.

Epifano was involved again early in the second half when he was brought down in the penalty area and the home side were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for South, Thomson guessed the right way and saved Milos Lujic’s spot kick, with the centre-forward having also had a penalty saved mid-week against Frankston.

Iqi Jawadi and Epifano worked hard all game and were two of the key players in South’s quest to score a second goal and kill off the game. Epifano almost replicated his incredible goal against the Melbourne Knights in the FFA Cup on 5 June but the ball curled just wide of the far post and out for a goal kick.

Yellow cards were issued throughout the second half as Werribee pushed to level the scores and South threatened to kill the game off on the counter-attack. On 74 minutes, Werribee’s coach Nino Ragusa was sent off by the referee for dissent.

With time running out, Werribee pushed forward in search of an equalising goal. The five minutes of injury time were chaotic, with Roganovic required to make several interceptions, including tipping a goal-bound effort over his crossbar. The final whistle moments later confirmed a hard-fought but important 1-0 victory.

In the Under 20s, South Melbourne missed several opportunities to score as they drew 0-0 with Werribee City.

Second hosts first next Sunday 28 June as South Melbourne FC welcomes the Bentleigh Greens to Lakeside Stadium. Kick-off is at 5pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-0 WERRIBEE CITY (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorer:
1-0: Nick Epifano (29′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 5. Luke ADAMS, 6. Tom LAKIC, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. Chris IRWIN (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 87′), 16. Andy BEVIN (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 65′).

Unused Subs: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 19. Massimo PESCE, 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS.

Werribee City:
25. David THOMSON (GK), 3. Ryan FILIPOVIC (C), 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 5. Dean TOMESKI, 6. Anthony RAGUSA, 8. Kobbie BOAHENE (15. Deang AGUEK 70′), 9. Evan BATSIS, 13. Milan SARIC, 16. Angus MARTIN (11. Bobby VIDANOSKI 70′), 19. Rob NAUMOSKI, 23. Steven CUDRIG.

Subs: 1. Frano Saric (GK), 2. Michael SIMMS.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Nikola Roganovic
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 21 June 2015

South Melbourne FC defeated Dandenong Thunder 0-1 at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday night to make it three 0-1 wins at the venue in their last three visits across all competitions.

South Melbourne enjoyed comfortable 5-0 wins against the Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium in 2014 and earlier this season, however Chris Taylor’s side had been made to work very hard for both of their 0-1 wins at George Andrews Reserve in 2014 (in both the PS4 NPL Victoria and the Dockerty Cup). Saturday night’s match was no different, with the home side very unlucky not to score.

Fraser MacLaren – who arrived at Lakeside Stadium from Kingston City during the recent transfer window – started in goal for South, after regular custodian Nikola Roganovic received a one-match suspension for his sending off against the Melbourne Knights in the FFA Cup last week. Also starting for South was new signing Andy Bevin, who arrived from the Seattle Sounders during the week.

Yusuf Ahmed had enjoyed a fantastic first half of the 2015 season and toyed with South with some excellent build-up play for Dandenong during the first half. Ahmed created the first genuine chance of the match when he got behind the South defenders but MacLaren intervened and made a good save to deny him from opening the scoring.

Jawadi then scored what proved to be the winning goal just before the halftime break when he made space for himself before firing an unstoppable shot past Zaim Zeneli from the edge of the area. It was Jawadi’s fourth League goal in 2015 and his second against his former side.

It was deja vu early in the second half, when MacLaren again had to make an important block to deny Ahmed and the home side from scoring. MacLaren was then called upon to make an awkward yet smart save, running back and tipping Brodie Paterson’s long-range lob over his crossbar and out for a corner kick.

Dandenong piled on the pressure in the final fifteen minutes yet South’s defenders kept finding ways to deny the home side an equalising goal. The final whistle brought sheer relief as Taylor’s side extended its winning run against Dandenong Thunder to six consecutive matches across all competitions.

The news was not as good in the Under 20s, as the Dandenong Thunder defeated South Melbourne 2-0.

South’s next match is the all-important FFA Cup Round 7 match against the Frankston Pines at Lakeside Stadium this Wednesday night, with kick-off at 7:30pm. The winner of this match will qualify for both the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 proper as well as the semi finals of the Dockerty Cup.

FINAL SCORE: DANDENONG THUNDER 0-1 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 0-1)

Goal Scorer:
0-1: Iqi Jawadi (44′)

Dandenong Thunder:
1. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 2. Jarryd BARNES, 3. Rama TAVSANCIOGLU, 4. Adam PETKO, 5. Faisal SAKHIZADA, 7. Yusuf AHMED, 9. Veton KORCARI (22. James GOULOPOULOS 72′), 11. Timmy PURCELL, 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI (C), 14. Brodie PATERSON (10. Feston AZIZI 77′), 15. Nelson SALVATORE.

South Melbourne FC:
22. Fraser MacLaren (GK), 2. Tim MALA (6. Tom LAKIC 77′), 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 16. Andy BEVIN (14. Chris IRWIN 56′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 68′).

SMFC Man of the Match: Fraser MacLaren
Venue: George Andrews Reserve
Date: Saturday 13 June 2015

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the transfer window signing of Nick Morton, who arrives at Lakeside Stadium from Melbourne City.

Morton is the son of South Hobart’s legendary coach Ken Morton and he joined Melbourne City at the beginning of the NPL 1 (West) season this year. Prior to Melbourne City, Nick grew up playing his football at South Hobart and spent several Championship winning seasons playing alongside current SMFC player Andy Brennan in Tasmania.

Alongside Brennan, Nick featured heavily in South Hobart’s Tasmanian League and Cup winning double in 2014. He played against South Melbourne last year when the two sides met in the PlayStation 4 NPL Playoffs at the South Hobart Ground on Saturday 20 September 2014, with Jamie Reed’s early goal being enough for SMFC to record a 0-1 win.

The 19 year old attacking midfielder likes playing as a number 10 and has made eight appearances for Melbourne City this season, scoring one goal against Box Hill on Saturday 2 May.

Speaking with smfc.com.au, Nick said that “I am very pleased to be joining such an iconic club in South Melbourne FC. Playing for the defending NPL Victoria champions is a step up from playing at NPL 1 level but it is an opportunity for me to show what I can do.”

SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was also very pleased with Morton signing for the Club. “Nick impressed us last season when we played South Hobart down in Tasmania. We have been monitoring him for a while now and it’s good to finally have him sign with us. Being good friends with Andy Brennan will help Nick settle in quickly with the squad and I look forward to him showing his potential on the field.”

South Melbourne FC welcomes Nick Morton to Lakeside Stadium and looks forward to seeing him on the park shortly.

South Melbourne FC can further cement its position at the top of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria table should it defeat Northcote City at John Cain Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

South will go into the game on the back of two home wins at Lakeside Stadium in the last week, starting with a 1-0 win over Avondale FC 1-0 last Friday 8 May and ending with a 5-0 belting of Dandenong Thunder on Tuesday 12 May. Chris Taylor’s side now enjoy a three point lead over the Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United at the top of the PS4 NPL Victoria ladder, however Bentleigh has a game in hand.

Northcote are currently in ninth spot on the ladder with four wins from their opening 12 League matches. Goran Lozanovski’s side have enjoyed relatively good form at John Cain Reserve in recent times, with their most recent home result being a 2-0 win against Werribee City on Saturday 2 May. Last weekend they travelled to Bentleigh Greens and suffered a 4-0 defeat.

Although South will go into this game as favourites to win, Northcote has been somewhat of a bogey team for them ever since Northcote returned to the old Victorian Premier League in 2010. In the 11 League meetings between the teams, Northcote have won five games, South have won only two games and there have been four draws.

Northcote has twice defeated South 5-0 (in 2011 and 2013), though South won the most recent meeting between the teams (2-1) at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 24 August 2014. In the corresponding match last season at John Cain Reserve played on Saturday 26 July 2014, the teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 3pm at John Cain Reserve.

South Melbourne FC returned to winning form by defeating Avondale FC 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night. A first half goal from Milos Lujic was the difference between the two sides in a match that had limited goal scoring opportunities.

Chris Taylor’s side came into the game with a 100% winning record at Lakeside Stadium across all competitions in 2015 and were keen to preserve that statistic. In their way was an Avondale side that had made a solid start to the 2015 campaign following their promotion into the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria at the end of 2014.

To mark the Mothers Day weekend and to also raise public awareness and funding for Breast Cancer research, South’s players shelved their usual blue socks and wore pink socks on the night. The match was sponsored by Principal Partner e.l.f. Cosmetics and all women involved at the Club, including the South Melbourne Womens team, were invited to enjoy the match in the Corporate area.

The home side threatened to open the scoring in the first fifteen minutes, with Lujic on a couple of occasions just failing to get on the end of low crosses from Brennan from the right flank. Those two players eventually combined to score the winning goal in the nineteenth minute, with Brennan’s perfect cross from the right side met by Lujic on the volley and he made no mistake scoring past Frazer Siddall.

The centre-forward continues his fantastic goal scoring record this season of nine goals in 11 League matches and eleven goals in 13 matches across all competitions. His League record with South now stands at a remarkable 32 goals from 39 matches. Including Cup matches, his record is 35 goals in 45 matches.

Avondale had two chances in the second half to level proceedings. Chris Irwin had a goal disallowed for offside before Alex Khrapko hit a stinging drive that South goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic did very well to get a finger onto the ball and deflect it onto the crossbar.

With the exception of those two opportunities for the away side, South seemed in control and closed out the match to continue its 100% winning run at Lakeside Stadium. Roganovic notched his sixth clean sheet in eleven League matches as South won by a single goal margin for the sixth time in the League this season.

Friday night’s game also marked Iqi Jawadi’s 50th League match for South Melbourne, with the player having joined South midway through the 2013 season.

South’s next match is a catch-up match against Dandenong Thunder on Tuesday 12 May at Lakeside Stadium, with kick-off at 8:30pm. If selected, both Tim Mala and Nick Epifano will join Jawadi in reaching fifty League matches for the Club.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-0 AVONDALE FC (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorer:
1-0: Milos Lujic (19′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 68′), 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 17. Andy BRENNAN (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 83′).

Avondale FC:
20. Frazer SIDDALL (GK), 4. Chris IRWIN, 5. Jeffrey FLEMING, 9. Alex KHRAPKO, 10. Burakhan KOCA, 13. Michele CRAZIA, 15. Zoran PAJIC, 16. Jungho KIM (8. Simon TOLLI 75′), 17. Phil RICCOBENE, 18. Jonathan MUNOZ (31. Omar AMMACHE 60′), 19. Jason PRINCIPATO.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Milos Lujic
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Friday 8 May 2015

South Melbourne FC is happy to advise that the Avondale FC match at Lakeside Stadium this Friday 8 May is FREE for all women ahead of Mothers Day this Sunday.

People entering the ground are encouraged to provide a gold coin donation, with all monies raised going towards the National Breast Cancer Research Centre, as chosen by the Pink Cocktail Group charity that the Club has invited as guests to the game. To donate online please visit http://www.nbcf.org.au/support-us.

In keeping with the theme of the night, the senior team will switch colours and play in pink socks that night.

The Match Day Sponsor for the match is e.l.f. Cosmetics, who will have an all-female halftime penalty shootout competition, with several prizes on offer including e.l.f. products and cash! They will also have girls getting signups plus handing out e.l.f. samples and information.

Due to the nature of the night, entry is open to women only, please register at http://www.elfcosmetics.com.au/pages/elf-and-south-melbourne-football-club  or on the night at the elf info table – Name and email address required. You must be present and participate to be in with a chance.

South Melbourne FC encourages all women to attend Friday’s match, meet and greet the e.l.f. Cosmetics team and raise as much money as possible for the National Breast Cancer Research Centre!

Image courtesy of Michalis Romas

South Melbourne FC advises that Andy Brennan will join Hyundai A-League side Newcastle Jets for the 2015/16 season.

Andy joined South Melbourne from South Hobart FC, where he had a prolific goal scoring season in 2014. This season with South Melbourne, the attacking midfielder has scored five goals in eleven matches across all competitions.

He scored a goal in the FFV Community Shield and has also scored two goals in the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria campaign and two goals in the Westfield FFA Cup. His best game for the Club so far to date was against the Melbourne Knights on Saturday 11 April, where he scored the winning goal early in the second half.

Speaking to smfc.com.au Andy Brennan was thankful for this time at the club. “I’d sincerely like to thank CT, the Club, the players and fans for welcoming me, as well as giving me the opportunity to further develop as a footballer. Whilst my time at South has been relatively brief, it will always hold a special place for me. The history, the level of professionalism, along with the wonderful players and facilities make it a club that all should aspire to play for”

Andy’s last match for South Melbourne will be against the Melbourne Knights in the FFA Cup in early June, before he leaves to join the Jets.

South Melbourne FC is excited that life-long South fan Peter Saisanas won the PlayStation 4 Wildcard place in tonight’s Fox Fans League finals, after defeating Tuggeranong United FC 4-0 in the NPL finals yesterday.

The inaugural Fox Fans League is a national challenge that brings together the best FIFA gamers in the country to crown a champion of one of the world’s most popular video games, powered by PlayStation 4.

The NPL finals series was played yesterday at Gosch’s Paddock, where Peter defeated representatives of NPL clubs across the country – including former NSL rivals Sydney Olympic and West Adelaide – to earn the Wildcard place in tonight’s finals.

As yesterday’s NPL Wildcard winner, Peter has already won $5000 for South Melbourne FC and will win even more prize money should he win tonight’s final at Federation Square. He will be competing against representatives from Hyundai A-League teams as well as AFL players and captains Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) and Gary Ablett Junior (Gold Coast Suns).

The finals begin from 4pm at Federation Square today, with the final to be screened live on Fox Sports from 7:30pm tonight.

South Melbourne FC wishes Peter Saisanas the best of luck for tonight!

South Melbourne FC recorded a fifth straight win across all competitions thanks to a 1-0 home victory against Pascoe Vale in PlayStation 4 National Premier League Victoria action at Lakeside Stadium last Friday night.

Milos Lujic scored the winning goal five minutes before halftime and has now scored in his last eight matches for South across all competitions.

Although South enjoyed an excellent record against Pascoe Vale from their previous four League meetings (three wins and a draw), Friday’s match was always going to be difficult due to David Stirton’s injury at Hume City the previous Saturday and Nick Epifano’s club-imposed suspension during the week.

Mathew Theodore and Jake Barker-Daish replaced Stirton and Epifano respectively in the starting line-up.

Vitale Ferrante’s Pascoe Vale side came into the match on the back of four successive PS4 NPL Victoria wins. With a host of experienced players such as former South men Joseph Youssef and Carl Recchia, plus others like Jake Nakic, Tomi Milardovic and Michael Ferrante, they were always going to be difficult opponents for South to overcome.

Last season’s corresponding match at Lakeside Stadium (Sunday 18 May 2014) finished 1-0 to South in what was a tight affair.

Before the match started, both teams as well as the match officials paused to mark the occasion of the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day the following day. The Ode of Remembrance was displayed on the electronic scoreboard and spoken, with the last post being played before a minute’s silence was observed.

The first half was a sluggish affair, with both sides having limited goal scoring opportunities. The away side almost took the lead when Jake Nakic went through on goal but shot the ball wide of the far post. Lujic then almost opened the scoring for the home side but his shot went over Alexander Pavlidis’ crossbar.

The centre-forward eventually scored what proved to be the winning goal when he got on the end of a through-ball and tucked the ball past the advancing Pavlidis. The goal was Lujic’s eighth goal in nine League matches and tenth goal in eleven matches across all competitions in 2015.

Lujic has now scored in the last eight matches South has played, beginning with the 5-0 Westfield FFA Cup win at Whittlesea United on Saturday 14 March.

The second half began with an almighty downpour but that didn’t stop South from creating some excellent goal scoring opportunities to try and seal the win. Andy Brennan almost scored with a brilliant scissor kick but was denied by Pavlidis’ excellent save. Lujic then almost scored another goal but his header hit the post and stayed out.

Pascoe Vale’s best chance to level the match fell to Michael Ferrante but his free kick didn’t trouble Nikola Roganovic. South comfortably saw out the remainder of the game and maintained their 100% record in home matches this season.

The Under 20s match was postponed to allow the Lakeside Stadium pitch to recover from maintenance works done in March/April, with the re-scheduled match to be announced in due course.

South Melbourne FC’s next match is away at Port Melbourne this upcoming Friday 1 May. Kick-off is at 8:30pm at SS Anderson Reserve.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-0 PASCOE VALE (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorer:
1-0: Milos Lujic (40′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 17. Andy BRENNAN (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 87′), 21. Jake BARKER-DAISH (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 71′).

Pascoe Vale:
35. Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK), 2. Adrian TALARICO, 3. Nathen MEGIC (11. Connor KASS 86′), 6. Carl RECCHIA (4. Adam NAKIC 45′), 8. Joseph YOUSSEF (C), 9. Jake NAKIC, 15. Mark PISTININZI, 16. Tomi MILARDOVIC, 18. Tom BLACK (12. Matthew CONVERSANO 64′), 21. Michael FERRANTE, 23. Jake HALLIDAY.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Milos Lujic
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Friday 24 April 2015