Author: Tim McGlone

South Melbourne FC fell just short in its attempt to claim a fourth trophy in 2015, going down 1-3 to the Bentleigh Greens in the PS4 NPL Victoria Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After Troy Ruthven put Bentleigh ahead with a wonder strike, Milos Lujic scored his 30th goal across all competitions, before goals to Wayne Wallace and Chris Lucas gave Bentleigh the win in extra time.

Chris Taylor lost two of his key players in a tough second half. Goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic was substituted after a heavy collision, before Iqi Jawadi was sent off after receiving a second yellow card at the end of normal time.

The two teams could not have wished for better conditions for the Grand Final, with the strong crowd of over 3000 basked in glorious sunshine at Lakeside Stadium.

A quiet first half saw few chances for either side, however the game exploded into action after the break when Ruthven launched a rocket from long range to put Bentleigh ahead.

To make matters worse for South, Roganovic was forced from the field a short time later after receiving a heavy knock, with substitute goalkeeper Fraser MacLaren called in between the sticks. MacLaren performed admirably, making a series of excellent saves to keep South in the game.

Despite being one goal behind, there was always the possibility that South could get back into the match. Golden Boot winner Lujic gave his side a lifeline when he cleverly turned his defender and finished neatly past Alistair Bray after 72 minutes, with goal giving South some momentum. Substitute David Stirton went close to finding a winner when he fired over the bar with ten minutes remaining.

On the cusp of injury time, Jawadi was sent off after receiving his second yellow. This left South with ten men for the additional half an hour of extra time. Despite being down to ten men, South fought valiantly, with MacLaren in goal and right back Tim Mala in particular denying Bentleigh with a number of fantastic blocks. However the extra man proved to be too valuable in the end, with Wallace and then Lucas scoring goals to seal the Championship for the Greens.

The loss does not spell the end of South’s season, with the 2015 NPL Victoria Premiers representing Victoria in the Australian NPL Playoff series. South’s Elimination Final match is against Tasmanian Champions Hobart Olympia at Lakeside Stadium this Saturday 19 September, with kick-off at 4pm.

The winning team will move to the Semi Final stage and will meet either West Adelaide Hellas (South Australia) or Bayswater City (Western Australia) for a spot in the Grand Final. The team that wins the Grand Final will automatically qualify for the 2016 Westfield FFA Cup.

For South, winning the Australian NPL Playoffs will also present the opportunity to add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet in 2015, with the FFV Community Shield, the Dockerty Cup and the Premier’s Plate already won in what has been a fantastic season so far.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-3 BENTLEIGH GREENS AET (HT: 0-0)

Goals Scorers:
0-1: Troy Ruthven (52′)
1-1: Milos Lujic (72′)
1-2: Wayne Wallace (101′)
1-3: Chris Lucas (120+1′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK) (22. Fraser MacLAREN 64’), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI (sent off 90′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (10. David STIRTON 58’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 66’).

Unused substitutes: 14. Chris IRWIN, 21. Jake BARKER-DAISH.
Yellow cards: Jawadi 61’, 90’.
Red cards: Jawadi 90’.

Bentleigh Greens FC:
21. Alistair BRAY (GK), 4. Troy RUTHVEN (22. Austin WONG 106′), 5. Jack WEBSTER, 6. Liam McCORMICK (17. Ryan LOVE 120+1′), 7. Jamie DE ABREU (12. Dimi MITROV 104′), 8. Wayne WALLACE (C), 9. Chris LUCAS, 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Dion KIRK, 19. Daniel VISEVIC, 36. Steven TOPALOVIC.

Unused substitutes: 1. Ryan SCOTT (GK), 20. Marinos PANAYI.
Yellow cards: Webster 8’, Ruthven 39’, Wallace 97’, Wong 106’.
Red cards: Nil.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Michael Eagar
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 13 September 2015

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow’s PS4 NPL Victoria Grand Final will be extra special for Vice Captain Brad Norton, playing his 100th League match for the club that he joined in November 2011.

Norton told smfc.com.au that the milestone match would be one to remember only if his team got over the line against the Bentleigh Greens. “It’s pretty lucky…it’s a really good feeling to do it (play his 100th game) in the Grand Final but it’ll only be good if we can come away with the win.”

“Not many players anywhere can say they’ve had the chance to play their 100th game in a Grand Final and it’s a credit to the boys that we have made it this far. Lucky we didn’t finish outside the top two, otherwise my 100th game would have been last week!”

Norton has started 34 of SMFC’s 35 games in all competitions this season, in what is possibly his finest season to date at the Lakeside club. Unsurprisingly, the 26 year old identified the games against the Oakleigh Cannons (7 September 2014) and Northcote City (23 August this year) as the most memorable of his 99 League games with SMFC, with the Club celebrating titles after those games.

“There’s probably a couple that stick out. Obviously lifting the trophy here last year (after the 2-2 draw with Oakleigh) was a game that I won’t forget. Likewise with the Northcote game a few weeks ago (3-0 win) and I scored a goal in that game too, which was memorable. After those games, being able to lift the trophy…. it’s not often you get to win Championships and hopefully we get to lift another one on Sunday.”

Speaking about the lead-up to the Grand Final this week, Norton said that he and his teammates were going about business as usual. “This week the mood from the boys has been good, we’re just going about this week the same as any other week. Obviously there’s a little bit of extra excitement with the potential to win a trophy, however we’re just trying to treat it the same way (as any other game) and come Sunday we’ll be up for it, that’s for sure.”

Norton has been part of a defence that has conceded just 44 goals in 52 games over the past two League seasons. Norton hailed the camaraderie of his defensive counterparts, as well as the rest of the squad, as crucial in South Melbourne’s recent successes. “This year all four of us have created a pretty special bond. To keep the lowest ‘goals against’ tally in the League is a real positive.”

“I’ve played with Timmy (Mala) and (Michael) Eagar for the past couple of years and you always know from their side that they’re going to stop a lot of goals coming through. It’s just that rapport, we’ve got it in the change rooms and we’ve got it through the whole team. CT (Chris Taylor) has tried to keep the back four the same for the whole season and it’s helped us to be consistent this year.”

Since Norton joined the Club, South has finished sixth (2012), third (2013), Champions (2014) and Minor Premiers (2015) in the League standings, highlighting improvement every season. Norton acknowledged that whilst the Club is unrecognisable today from when he first joined, he wouldn’t change a thing. “We’ve gone through a couple of different periods in the last four years. The first couple of years, compared to the last couple of years, were completely different.”

“I wouldn’t change any of my time here though. I had a good time with the players from the first two years and the coaches from then as well. Times change however, we’ve moved on and won two Championships so you can’t really complain about that.”

“To get to play in front of all these supporters, and with all the players that have come through, it’s a time that I won’t forget and I have really enjoyed myself so far. This is the club that you want to be at, there’s no doubt about that.”

 

 

South Melbourne FC booked its place in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final with a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 extra time win against Pascoe Vale last Friday night. 

A 117th minute winning goal from skipper Michael Eagar sent Lakeside Stadium into a frenzy, with South now to take on the Bentleigh Greens in Sunday’s Grand Final decider. 

Vitale Ferrante’s Pascoe Vale side pushed Chris Taylor’s reigning NPL Victoria Champions to the absolute limits in what will surely go down as a Victorian football classic.

Going into the match as red-hot favourites, South were on the back foot early as Pascoe Vale took the game on from the first whistle. Luke Adams cleared the ball off the line to prevent a certain goal from Matthew Lazarides, whilst goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic was forced to make several early saves.

Eight minutes before the halftime break, Adams went up the other end for a corner kick and scored the opening goal of the match by blasting home from close range after Eagar cut the ball back to him. It was Adams’ second League goal of the season and third across all competitions for South Melbourne.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for the home side until Davey Van’t Schip turned the game on its head by levelling the scores for the visitors after 73 minutes. Roganovic blocked the ball from a shot at his near post but the ball spilled out to the Pascoe Vale striker and he made no mistake by cooly slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Neither side could break the deadlock during the rest of regular time, although Pascoe Vale looked the more likely to score. The away side looked to have won their way into the Grand Final nine minutes into extra time when Van’t Schip found the back of the net with a beautiful glancing header from Luca Santilli’s cross. South suddenly looked out of ideas and Pascoe Vale were sensing a massive upset.

Taylor immediately made what proved to be a vital substitution, with 17 year old Andy Kecojevic coming on for Mathew Theodore. It proved to be a masterstroke as Kecojevic levelled in effectively the final play of first half extra time. Pascoe Vale goalkeeper Alexander Pavlidis parried Nick Epifano’s free kick straight into the oncoming Kecojevic, with the ball deflecting off the youngster and into the back of the net. The score was now 2-2 and South suddenly had a burst of momentum.

With only three minutes remaining before a dreaded penalty shootout was to take place, Eagar met Kecojevic’s corner at the near post and flicked a header over Pavlidis and into the back of the net to cause chaotic and wild scenes of celebration on the field and in the grandstand. It was only Eagar’s second South Melbourne goal in his 50 League games for the club but it was his most important.

South Melbourne will be looking for back-to-back NPL Victoria Championships when they play the Bentleigh Greens (2-0 winners over Hume City in the other Semi Final) this Sunday 13 September at Lakeside Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 3-2 (AET) PASCOE VALE (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Luke Adams (37′)
1-1: Davey Van’t Schip (73′)
1-2: Davey Van’t Schip (99′)
2-2: Andy Kecojevic (105+2′)
3-2: Michael Eagar (117′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 100’), 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 14. Chris IRWIN (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 115’), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (10. David STIRTON 77’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS.

Unused substitutes: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 6. Tom LAKIC.
Yellow cards: Irwin 11’, Norton 22′, Hatzikostas 84’.
Red cards: Nil

Pascoe Vale FC:
35. Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK), 2. Adrian TALARICO, 4. Adam NAKIC (3. Nathen MEGIC 92’), 7. Luca SANTILLI, 8. Joseph YOUSSEF (C), 10. Davey VAN’T SCHIP, 13. Matthew LAZARIDES (9. Jake NAKIC 65’), 16. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 17. Aaron TURNER, 21. Michael FERRANTE (6. Carl RECCHIA 117’), 23. Jake HALLIDAY.

Unused substitutes: 1. Dennys MARTIN (GK), 15. Mark PISTININZI.
Yellow cards: Santilli 74’.
Red cards: Nil

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Men of the Match: Michael Eagar/Stephen Hatzikostas
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Friday 4 September 2015

 

South Melbourne FC will be gunning for its first State League Grand Final appearance in nine years when it hosts Pascoe Vale in PS4 NPL Victoria Semi Final action at Lakeside Stadium tonight. 

As there was no Finals Series in Victoria last season, South Melbourne hasn’t competed in a title decider since September 2006, when Gianni De Nittis’ header was enough to defeat Altona Magic 1-0. A place in the 2015 Grand Final would be a fitting reward for a side that has already claimed the FFV Community Shield, the Dockerty Cup and the Premier’s Plate already this season.

The big team news coming out of Lakeside is that two weeks after injuring himself against Northcote City, star striker Milos Lujic has been declared fit to play tonight. Lujic trained during the week and has been given the all-clear by the medical staff to play in tonight’s do-or-die clash that sees the losing team eliminated from the finals race. This news will come as a huge relief to Coach Chris Taylor, who must have feared the worst after seeing his Golden Boot winner land awkwardly a fortnight ago.

Nick Epifano also returns to the field tonight after serving a one-match suspension against Northcote City on 23 August. Epifano has scored 14 goals from the flank this season and created countless more through his speed and clever feet. South will unfortunately be missing fan favourite Tim Mala however, after the right-back received his fifth yellow card for the season and must now serve a mandatory one-match ban. Chris Irwin will most likely replace him at right-back for tonight’s match. Captain Michael Eagar and Leigh Minopoulos will both play their 50th League match for South Melbourne tonight.

In order to book its place in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final, South will have to overcome an impressive Pascoe Vale outfit that defeated Heidelberg United 3-0 on penalties (following a 2-2 draw after extra time) at the Olympic Village last Sunday in their Elimination Final. It was Pascoe Vale’s first ever finals match in Victoria’s top flight and a remarkable result as sixth place knocked out third place.

South Melbourne and Pascoe Vale have met only six times in the past, with South winning four times and with two draws between the sides. Lujic scored the only goal of the game when South defeated Pascoe Vale 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium earlier this season on Friday 24 April, before the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday 25 July.

Vitale Ferrante’s squad have proven to be a difficult side to break down all season and South will need to be at their very best if they are to progress to the Grand Final. Former South man Joseph Youssef is Pascoe Vale’s top scorer this season so far with 12 goals. There are other familiar faces in the Pascoe Vale team such as Carl Recchia and Michael Ferrante, both of whom are proven match winners and can cause many problems for South Melbourne.

Tonight’s winners will play the winner of the other Semi Final between the Bentleigh Greens and Hume City in the 2015 NPL Victoria Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium next Sunday 13 September.

Tonight’s Semi Final between South Melbourne and Pascoe Vale kicks off at 7:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. All supporters are urged to attend and support the boys in what promises to be a memorable night of football. Those unable to make the match can follow live updates on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts by using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.

South Melbourne FC claimed a third piece of silverware in 2015 after defeating Northcote City 3-0 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday to secure the PS4 NPL Victoria Premiers Plate.

Two goals from Milos Lujic and another from Brad Norton set up the win that confirmed Chris Taylor’s side would finish the home & away season on top of the League for a second successive season.

The game started with a quiet opening twenty minutes, by which time news had filtered in that the Bentleigh Greens were leading the Oakleigh Cannons 2-0 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. That meant that South needed to now beat Northcote to win the Minor Premiership on goal difference. The news almost got worse for the home team when James Kalifatidis was found unmarked in the six-yard box, however he directed his free header straight into South goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic’s arms.

The home fans at Lakeside Stadium breathed alot easier when their side took the lead just prior to the half hour mark via a fantastic team goal. In a move reminiscent to the opening goal in the Dockerty Cup final win over Oakleigh, Leigh Minopoulos got on the end of Mathew Theodore’s ball into the area before flicking a back-heel pass into the path of Lujic. The big striker made no mistake from point blank range and scored the all-important opening goal to a rapturous reception from the home fans.

South had one hand on the Premiers Plate a little over ten minutes later. Brad Norton’s long ball down the left flank found David Stirton, who delivered an excellent cross to the back post for Lujic to head the ball into the ground, then over Northcote goalkeeper Chris Petropoulos and into the back of the net. It was Lujic’s second goal of the day, 21st League goal in 2015 and 29th goal across all competitions in what has been another phenomenal goal scoring season for South’s centre-forward.

The Minor Premiership was secured just after the hour mark when Norton made the score 3-0. The full-back dashed down the left side of the field to receive the ball before curling a sensational chip from the edge of the area over the stranded Petropoulos, who stood rooted to the spot as the ball went over him and into the back of the net. Substitute Chris Irwin then set Lujic up for two excellent chances to secure a second hat-trick in eight days, however he blasted one effort over the crossbar then mis-kicked the other opportunity.

There were only two sour notes to the day. The first was when Lujic appeared to hyper-extend his leg under an accidental collision with Northcote’s Jordan Wilkes. The big number 9 hobbled off the ground and will undergo scans in the coming days that will determine the severity of the injury. The second disappointment was right-back Tim Mala receiving his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning that he will have to serve his mandatory one-match suspension in South’s Semi Final in a fortnight’s time.

David Stirton, starting in place of the suspended Nick Epifano, caused plenty of headaches for Northcote during the game and may feature heavily during the Finals Series should Lujic not be available. Substitute Irwin may also be in the starting eleven in place of Mala in South’s next match.

Due to finishing in first and second places, South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens enjoy a week off before hosting their NPL Victoria Semi Finals at Lakeside Stadium and Kingston Heath. In this coming weekend’s Elimination Finals, Melbourne Knights (4th) hosts Hume City (5th) at Knights Stadium on Friday night, whilst Heidelberg United (3rd) hosts Pascoe Vale (6th) on Sunday at the Olympic Village. South Melbourne will host the lowest ranked Elimination Final winner in the Semi Finals, whilst Bentleigh will host the highest ranked winner. 

As NPL Victoria Minor Premiers, South has also qualified as the Victorian representative in the National Playoffs and will host NPL Tasmania Champions Hobart Olympia in their Elimination Final. This will be played the weekend after the NPL Victoria Grand Final, which is scheduled for Sunday 13 September. With the FFV Community Shield, the Dockerty Cup and Premiers Plate already in the bag, Taylor will be hoping that his side can continue the winning form and win two more trophies in 2015.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 3-0 NORTHCOTE CITY (HT: 2-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Milos Lujic (27′)
2-0: Milos Lujic (38′)
3-0: Brad Norton (62′)

SOUTH MELBOURNE FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 8. Mathew THEODORE (14. Chris IRWIN 46′), 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. David STIRTON (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 67′), 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 75′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS, 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS.
Unused Subs: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 6. Tom LAKIC.

NORTHCOTE CITY FC:
22. Chris PETROPOULOS (GK) (C), 4. Jacob ELIOPOULOS, 5. Gregory LOMBARDO, 6. Aaron WARD (17. Andrew PARASKEVAS 87′), 7. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 8. James KALIFATIDIS, 9. Calvin MBARGA, 10. Marinos GASPARIS (23. Jonathan BOUNAS 46′), 12. Jordan WILKES, 14. Anthony RAMZY (11. Evan KOUNAVELIS 46′), 19. Ryan GO.
Unused Subs: 18. Nikola MARKOVSKI, 30. Jordan GIFKINS.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Milos Lujic
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 23 August 2015

 

South Melbourne FC has reclaimed top spot on the PS4 NPL Victoria ladder following a 5-2 victory over Hume City at Lakeside Stadium on Wednesday night.

Nick Epifano’s brace and goals to Milos Lujic, Iqi Jawadi and Captain Michael Eagar (yes, Michael Eagar) helped South get over the line with a crucial victory in the context of the season.

After 25 League matches, Taylor’s men are level with the Greens at the top of the ladder with 55 points each, however South enjoys a goal difference of +33 compared to Bentleigh’s +23. Barring a mathematical anomaly in Bentleigh’s match against Oakleigh, South knows that a home victory against Northcote City on Sunday will secure the Minor Premiership.

Wednesday night’s victory came against a strong Hume City side that had pushed South all the way in the corresponding fixture at ABD Stadium in May this year. Hume started Wednesday’s game strongly, however Epifano opened the scoring for the home side just prior to the half-hour following a superb exchange with Lujic. The speedster gracefully turned and played a one-two with Lujic before finishing neatly past Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield.

Shortly before the halftime break, South doubled their lead through perhaps the unlikeliest of sources. Skipper Michael Eagar scored his first competitive goal for the club – with a back heel if you don’t mind – after a scramble in the goalmouth. He was relieved to finally get his goal after earlier missing an excellent opportunity to double South’s lead.

Shortly after the halftime break, Jai Ingham pulled a goal back for the visitors when Nick Hegarty pulled the ball back from the touchline for him to finish past Nikola Roganovic. Hume looked the more likely to score the next goal in the match until Lujic restored South’s two goal buffer in typical fashion on the hour mark. Leigh Minopoulos played a great ball across the goal for Lujic’s back-post run and the big striker made no mistake from close range to register his 27th goal in all competitions this year.

The game was as good as over a few minutes later when Epifano scored one of the goals of the season to make the score 4-1. The winger shimmied away twice from Hume defenders before cutting back inside and nestling the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. It was a goal very similar to the fantastic finish he produced against the Melbourne Knights in the FFA Cup qualifying match in early June.

Jawadi completed South’s scoring for the night with his second goal in as many weeks, before Hume’s Marcus Schroen hit a superb finish with the last kick of the game to make the final score 5-2.

Post-match, Eagar was delighted to be at the summit of the NPL Victoria once again but stressed that there was still work to be done. “We’ve worked really hard to get into this position. We’re finally top of the League again and it’s a great feeling, however we know that the job’s not done yet. We’ll train on Friday in preparation for Sunday’s match.”

Elaborating about the upcoming match on Sunday, the skipper added that “we’ve played in plenty of big games this year already. There’s pressure to an extent but we’ll just play our game against Northcote and go into it with plenty of confidence.” And about that goal that he scored? “Millsy (Lujic) has been talking about swapping with me at centre-back all year, so it might be a go next week. It was pretty fortunate but I’ll take it… get the monkey off the back.”

In the Under 20s, South Melbourne and Hume City played out a 0-0 draw.

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 5-2 HUME CITY (HT: 2-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Nick Epifano (27’)
2-0: Michael Eagar (44’)
2-1: Jai Ingham (54′)
3-1: Milos Lujic (60′)
4-1: Nick Epifano (64′)
5-1: Iqi Jawadi (76′)
5-2: Marcus Schroen (90+2′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE (21. Jake BARKER-DAISH 80′), 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI (10. David STIRTON 81′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (14. Chris IRWIN 73′), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS.
Unused Subs: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 23. Andy KECOJEVIC.

Hume City FC:
1. Chris OLDFIELD (GK), 2. Daniel CHABAANI, 3. Shaun TIMMINS, 4. Isyan ERDOGAN (11. Ivan PAVLAK 46′), 5. Petar FRANJIC, 7. Jai INGHAM, 8. Theo MARKELIS, 12. Daniel CLARK (15. Liam NEWMAN 46′), 13. Shane REXHEPI, 17. Marcus SCHROEN, 39. Nick HEGARTY (C).
Unused Subs: 21. Niko JACKSON, 23. Josh MARKOVSKI, 20. Tom BANFIELD.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Nick Epifano
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Wednesday 19 August 2015

South Melbourne FC goes into tonight’s clash with Hume City knowing that, with just two games remaining in their 2015 PS4 NPL Victoria home & away season, they control their own destiny in the race for the Minor Premiership.

After 24 League matches, South sit in second place on the NPL Victoria ladder with 52 points and a goal difference of +30. League leaders Bentleigh Greens are on 55 points but have played an extra match and have a goal difference of +23.

In the highly unlikely event that Bentleigh makes up that seven goal difference between it and South in their final match against Oakleigh on Sunday, the stage is set for South Melbourne to claim the Minor Premiership if Chris Taylor’s side can defeat Hume tonight and then Northcote City on Sunday.

South’s advantageous position comes following the weekend’s 7-0 drubbing of Avondale FC. Milos Lujic lit up Doyle Street with a hat-trick, whilst Nick Epifano, Iqi Jawadi and Andy Kecojevic all got on the scoresheet in one of the biggest away wins in South Melbourne’s long history.

Epifano in particular was superb, with two assists and a goal against Avondale. The speedy winger has been in tremendous form during the second half of this season and now has 12 goals across all competitions in 2015, including three in the last two weeks thanks to his brace against Port Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium on Friday 7 August.

Hume City presents a tough challenge for the defending NPL Victoria Champions, with Lou Avceski’s men sitting in fifth position on the League table after dismantling Heidelberg United 0-2 at the Olympic Village last Sunday evening. South fought hard to break down a very tough Hume side in the earlier meeting between them at AKB Stadium on Saturday 18 April. In a match played in driving rain, Milos Lujic’s first half header proved to be the difference between the two sides.

South Melbourne and Hume City have played against each other on 16 occasions since Hume City returned to the top flight of Victorian football in 2008. South has won 10 matches, Hume has won five and there has been one draw. South’s biggest win was 6-0 on 25 April 2010, whilst Hume’s biggest win was 5-0 on 17 April 2011. Both those matches were played at Broadmeadows Valley Park.

Tonight’s match against Hume City kicks off at 8:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. Those unable to make the match can follow live updates on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts by using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.

 

 

South Melbourne FC put in a clinical display to defeat Avondale FC 7-0 at Doyle Street Reserve on Saturday afternoon, keeping its quest to finish as Minor Premier well and truly alive.

Milos Lujic was the story of the day thanks to scoring a hat-trick of goals, whilst Nick Epifano, Iqi Jawadi and Andy Kecojevic all got on the scoresheet in a truly dominant performance. Two late red cards for Avondale’s Jason Principato and Anthony Fallone compounded a miserable day for the home side.

Chris Taylor’s men were wary of the challenge posed by Avondale, particularly at their unique little ground that had proven to be a difficult place to travel to in recent years. Avondale had also come from a goal down to draw 1-1 in the previous round away at League leaders Bentleigh Greens. South only managed a 1-0 victory in the earlier meeting between the two sides at Lakeside Stadium and was expecting another tough match.

Avondale skipper Jeff Fleming got South going when he unfortunately turned the ball into his own net midway through the first half, following a Nick Epifano free kick. Epifano was at it again shortly before half-time, when his low cross wasn’t controlled properly by goalkeeper Chris Maynard and Lujic was present at the back post to tap the ball into the back of the net. South went into the break 0-2 ahead and in control but kicked into another gear when the game restarted.

After 52 minutes, Epifano and Lujic combined again for the big striker to tap home his second goal of the game. The connection between the pair continues to grow and is currently on par with the Andy Brennan/Lujic combination that yielded so many results earlier in the season. Jawadi was then the beneficiary of a mistake from former South goalkeeper Maynard, who let the midfielder’s shot slip through his grasp and into the back of the net to make the score 0-4. Epifano himself then got on the scoresheet, finishing calmly after being put through by Mathew Theodore for his third goal in two matches.

Kecojevic was introduced as a substitute with six minutes remaining and made an immediate impact by scoring at the back post with his first touch. Fellow substitute David Stirton then won a penalty in injury time that Lujic scored by sending Maynard the wrong way with the spot kick. In the process, Lujic claimed his first hat-trick of the season and put the exclamation mark on a sensational day at Doyle Street.

Lujic’s hat-trick has moved his personal South Melbourne goal scoring tally to a staggering 41 goals from 51 League matches, with the overall record of an incredible 50 goals from 63 matches across all competitions since arriving at the start of 2014. Five more League goals will see him overtake Kimon Taliadoros (45 goals) in the top ten of South’s all-time top League goal scorers.

Fellow Minor Premiership challengers Bentleigh scored a late goal to sneak a 0-1 victory away against Northcote City on Saturday afternoon. The Greens remain three points ahead of South on the PS4 NPL Victoria ladder, however South has a game in hand. Furthermore, Taylor’s men now enjoy a significant goal difference advantage, with +30 in goal difference compared to Bentleigh’s +23.

South host Hume City this coming Wednesday 19 August in its catch-up match before hosting Northcote City in the final round this Sunday 23 August. Bentleigh concludes the home & away season with a home match against Oakleigh Cannons on Sunday.

Should both sides win all their remaining matches, they will finish level on points at the top of the ladder. However, with a +7 goal difference advantage and barring an unlikely huge win for Bentleigh in its last game, South can claim the Minor Premiership should it defeat both Hume City and Northcote.

It was further good news in the Under 20s, with South Melbourne defeating Avondale FC 0-2 thanks to goals from Tom Lakic and Nash Hussainy.

FINAL SCORE: AVONDALE FC 0-7 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 0-2)

Goal Scorers:
0-1: Own Goal (11′)
0-2: Milos Lujic (34′)
0-3: Milos Lujic (62′)
0-4: Iqi Jawadi (64′)
0-5: Nick Epifano (65′)
0-6: Andy Kecojevic 85′)
0-7: Milos Lujic (90+4’p)

Avondale FC:
1. Chris MAYNARD (GK), 5. Jeff FLEMING (C), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 11. Francesco STELLA, 13. Michele CRAZIA, 16. Matthew SANDERS, 18. Jonathan MUNOZ, 19. Jason PRINCIPATO (sent off 86′), 24. Daniel SLOVACEK (4. Jacob COLOSIMO 55’), 28. Anthony FALLONE (sent off 90+3′), 31. Omar AMMACHE (10. Burakhan KOCA 55’).

Unused Subs: 20. Frazer SIDDALL (GK), 17. Luke COLAIANNI, 37. Dean CAMPELJ.
Yellow Cards: Crazia 48’, Principato 81’ & 86’, Fallone 77’.
Red Cards: Principato 86’, Fallone 90+3

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 84’), 8. Mathew THEODORE (10. David STIRTON 77’), 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (14. Chris IRWIN 71’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS.

Unused Subs: 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK), 16. Andy BEVIN.
Yellow cards: None.
Red cards: None.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Milos Lujic
Venue: Doyle Street Reserve
Date: Saturday 15 August 2015

 

 

South Melbourne FC will be looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the PS4 NPL Victoria table when they travel to Doyle Street to face Avondale FC today.

South are currently in third place on the ladder, three points behind first-placed Bentleigh (but with a game in hand) and one point behind second-placed Melbourne Knights (but with two games in hand). Following the Avondale match, South finish the home & away season with home matches against Hume City (19 August) and Northcote City (23 August). Bentleigh travel to Northcote today, before finishing the regular season at home against the Oakleigh Cannons next Sunday.

South come into the weekend on the back of two fantastic attacking performances and results. After putting Oakleigh to the sword in the Dockerty Cup final on Sunday 2 August, Nick Epifano and Milos Lujic combined for four goals last Friday 7 August as South saw off local rivals Port Melbourne 4-2 at Lakeside Stadium. The pair have 34 goals between them in all competitions this season and will be the key men in attack on the miniscule pitch at Doyle Street today.

Today’s match represents a significant hurdle for Chris Taylor’s men, given Avondale did South a great favour by holding Bentleigh to a 1-1 draw at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex last Friday night. Avondale sit in tenth position on the NPL Victoria ladder but are 13 points clear of relegation and have generally impressed in their first season in Victoria’s top flight.

Oleksiy Khrapko has scored seven goals this season to be the leading goal scorer out west, whilst former Green Gully favourite Matt Sanders is always a handful for defences.

As the home & away season draws to a close, today’s match is yet another absolute must-win game for South if they are to chase down Bentleigh in the race for the Minor Premiership and the resultant qualification for the National Premier Leagues Australia Playoffs.

This afternoon’s match against Avondale FC kicks off at 3pm at Doyle Street Reserve, Avondale Heights. Those unable to make the match can follow live updates on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts by using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.

Following the roller-coaster ride of highs and lows in Cup matches last week, South Melbourne FC’s focus returns back to the League and tonight’s PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria match against Port Melbourne.

The disappointment of the Westfield FFA Cup elimination on the Gold Coast last Wednesday 29 July was quickly forgotten four days later, when South dismantled Oakleigh 3-0 to win the Dockerty Cup last Sunday 2 August. Milos Lujic scored in both Cup games, including a double against Oakleigh as South won the Dockerty Cup for the eighth time in its 56 year history. Centre-forward Lujic once again looms as a key man in tonight’s game.

South will be keen on putting pressure on League leaders Bentleigh Greens, who are currently five points clear on top of the PS4 NPL Victoria ladder but having also played an extra match. For South to stand a chance of overhauling Bentleigh for the Minor Premiership, three points are vital against Port Melbourne tonight. In other key matches this round, Bentleigh host Avondale tonight whilst Heidelberg United, who are level on points and goal difference with South, face a potentially tricky fixture against the resurgent North Geelong Warriors on Sunday.

Tonight’s match also represents an opportunity for South to claim bragging rights against their most local of rivals geographically. Taylor will no doubt be wary of the challenge posed by Port Melbourne, who sits in seventh position in the League standings with 30 points. South were almost upset by the Sharks in the earlier meeting between the two sides this season on Friday 1 May, with left-back Brad Norton’s injury time goal snatching a 2-2 draw for South at SS Anderson Reserve.

Port drew with League leaders Bentleigh 2-2 in their last outing two weeks ago and are on a five game undefeated run that stretches back to June. Kamal Ibrahim, a former South player, has scored five goals this season and is Port’s leading goal scorer in the League in 2015.

Tonight’s match between South Melbourne and Port Melbourne kicks off at 8:30pm at Lakeside Stadium. Those unable to make the match can follow live updates on the Club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts by using the handles #SMFC and #PS4NPLVIC.