Category: News

South Melbourne meet Senior NTC for the second time this season with the girls looking to continue on their winning ways from their 2-0 win over the Bulleen Lions, while Senior NTC will be striving to bounce back from their narrow 1-0 loss to Alamein FC.

South Melbourne (WWWWW)

South Melbourne is in red hot form with five wins in the past five matches including a 2-0 victory over the Bulleen Lions courtesy of a Melina Ayres brace. Now one-point clear of Calder United on top of the table, the girls will be striving to continue on their winning ways with maximum points against Senior NTC at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Senior NTC (WLLWL)

Coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over Bayside United, Senior NTC were unable to continue on their winning ways with a narrow 1-0 loss to Alamein FC courtesy of a second half goal to Doeglas in the 68th minute. With only five wins for the season, Senior NTC will be looking to get back on winning ways with three points against an in-form South side away from home.

Head-to-Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 8 this year where South Melbourne secured an impressive 5-2 victory over Senior NTC at Lakeside Stadium.

South urges all fans to come and support the girls in their Round 17 encounter with Senior NTC at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Senior NTC
25 June @ Lakeside Stadium
Kick off 1:30pm

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the mid-season signing of former Adelaide United utility Lucy Adamopoulos for the remainder of the 2017 season.

24-Year-Old Adamopoulos has also crossed over from sister-club West Adelaide Hellas, where her flexibility and leadership on the park was a standout feature in her game. A bubbly personality, Adamopoulos is someone who will immediately add additional character to our squad.

Above all this, her composure on the ball has given Adamopoulos the ability to play in a range of positions, either across the back four or through many advanced positions through midfield and up front. She also provides another strong choice at both corners and free kicks.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased with the acquisition. “Lucy is a great fit for our club, both on and off the park. Her leadership qualities attained at W-League level blended with her ability with the ball at her feet gives us another versatile acquisition as we push towards the second half of the season”

We welcome Lucy to SMFC and wish her all the best for her time at the club.

South have reclaimed top spot with a 2-0 victory over the Bulleen Lions courtesy of a Melina Ayres brace at the Veneto Club on Monday night.

South started brightly in the opening minutes of the first half, with an Ayres shot from close range finding the back of the net in the 14th minute.

Not long after, Medwin had an opportunity to score South’s second, after her shot outside the box went just over the crossbar in the 17th minute.

Ayres had another opportunity to score her second, after her shot inside the area went over the top in the 23rd minute.

The girls continued to dominate in the first half, with Martineau unable to provide the finishing touches on a deft through pass by Gummer in the 28th minute.

Despite South dominating the first half, Bulleen were unlucky not to score the equaliser following a missed free kick by Sernio as South held on for a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The girls continued to look dangerous up front for South in the opening minutes of the second half, with an Eliadis shot hitting the upright in the 48th minute.

Ayres was desperately trying to find her second, however was unable to find the back of the net after her shot inside the area was saved by Shields in the 50th minute.

The visitors were pressing for their second, with Medwin breezing past Richmond before her cross hit the post in the 57th minute.

Bulleen were unlucky not to score the equaliser, after Sernio’s free-kick was saved by Ramsay in the 75th minute.

However, Ayres was finally able to score her 20th goal for the season and South’s second with a strike from close range into the back of the net in the 81st minute.

Eliadis was unlucky not to score the visitors third for the evening, after her strike inside the area blasted the inside of the post in the 90th minute as South secured their sixth straight win.

South will now shift their focus to Senior NTC when the two teams meet at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon South Melbourne hosted St Albans in round 18 of the 2017 Victorian National Premier League season.

South were in red hot form, and coming off a 3-0 win at AAMI Park against top of the table Heidelberg United were looking to claim top spot for themselves. A struggling St Albans side, sitting dead last on the table, were desperate to take some points out of this fixture at Lakeside to keep their survival hopes alive.

Leigh Minopoulos come into the starting eleven replacing an injured Milos Luijc, while Stefan Zinni replaced the suspended Jesse Daley. Meanwhile Matthew Foschini lined up for his 50th match for the club. Before the match got under way there was a minute’s silence observed for former South great Ernie Ackerley who passed away recently, and for Tony Clarke – the police officer whose name was on the perpetual trophy on offer to the winner.

Once proceedings got under way South Melbourne quickly asserted its dominance and by the 18th minute had taken the lead. Matt Foschini played a ball into the box from midfield that was headed on by Luke Adams to Matthew Millar, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net.  Two minutes later South scored its second; this time Brad Norton squared the ball for Leigh Minopoulos to fire home.

South continued its high pressing game after that and in the 28th minute Nick Epifano played through South captain Norton on goal whose shot just got past the St Albans goalkeeper who got a hand on the shot. As half time drew near, Stefan Zinni played a beautiful ball across the park to Epifano who rounded the keeper and finished into the empty net to give South a 4-0 lead in the 43rd minute.

Just before half time St Albans scored from a corner, with Calvina Mbarga heading home to give St Albans a small chance of getting something out of the game. St Albans started the second half better than the first, by not allowing South into their defensive third so easily. In the 61st minute, Epifano was subbed off by Bardhi Hysolli.

South managed to break down the St Albans defence again in the 68th minute when Zinni put In a cross to an unmarked Minopoulos in the six yard box, who  scored his second goal of the afternoon with a cool finish to give South a 5-1 lead. Three minutes later, Millar scored an absolute scorcher from long range going into the bottom left corner to extend the lead to 6-1, also scoring his second goal of the afternoon. After the goal South’s new Spanish striker David Barca Moreno come on to make his South debut replacing Marcus Schroen. In the 80th minute South youth player Giordano Marafioti was subbed on for his second senior game of the season replacing Millar.

In the 85th minutes Nicola Roganovic sent a long kick down the field to Moreno who controlled the ball with his feet and then slid the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper to score his first goal for South and extend the lead to 7-1. As the game drew to a close Marafioti won South a penalty by drawing a handball from a St Albans defender. Minopoulos stepped up and fired the ball into the roof of the net to complete his hat trick, completing an 8-1 rout for South.

That result saw South Melbourne move into top position on the league table on goal difference from Heidelberg. Earlier in the day South Melbourne’s u20s ran out 4-0 winners against St Albans.

South next match is on Thursday night at Jack Edwards Reserve in the Dockerty Cup semi-final against Bentleigh Greens. We hope to see all fans there. Kick-off is at 7.30.

South Melbourne 8
(Matt Millar 18, 71, Leigh Minopoulos 20, 68, 87 (pen), Brad Norton 28, Nick Epifano 42, David Barca Moreno 85)

St Albans 1
(Mbarga 45)

South Melbourne will meet the Bulleen Lions for the second time this season with the girls looking to continue on their winning ways after their 3-1 win over Alamein, while the Bulleen Lions will be striving for maximum points after their 0-0 draw with Southern United last weekend.

Bulleen Lions (LLWLD)

Coming off a 4-2 loss to Calder United, Bulleen were unable to secure the three points against Southern United as the visitors settled for a 0-0 draw at Comets Stadium. With only four wins for the season, Bulleen will be striving for maximum points and a competitive effort against an in-form South side at home.

South Melbourne (WWWWW)

South Melbourne is in excellent form with five wins in their past five matches. Coming from a 3-0 win over Southern United, the girls were able to get an impressive 3-1 win over Alamein for the first time at AAMI Park courtesy of a Melina Ayres brace and a goal from substitute Caitlin Greiser. The girls will be looking to reclaim top spot with a win.

Head to Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 7 this year where South Melbourne secured a narrow 5-4 victory courtesy of a second half goal to Lisa De Vanna in the 85th minute.

South urges all fans to come and support the girls in their Round 16 encounter with Bulleen Lions at The Veneto Club on Monday night.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Bulleen Lions
19 June @ Veneto Club
Kick off 8:30pm

South Melbourne will meet St Albans for the second time this season, with the boys looking to continue on their winning ways after their impressive 3-0 win over ladder leaders Heidelberg United, while St Albans will be striving to bounce back from their narrow 1-0 loss to Pascoe Vale last Friday night.

South Melbourne (DWWWW)

South Melbourne is in red hot form in the second half of the season with four wins in five matches. Coming from a one week rest due to the unavailability of Lakeside Stadium, South were able to dominate right from the outset against the Bergers as a Nick Epifano brace and a goal by in-form striker Milos Lujic secured maximum points for the club against their traditional rivals. With an important victory against the ladder leaders, South is now in striking distance of top spot and will be looking for nothing less than three points against St Albans when the two teams meet at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

St Albans Saints (DLLLL)

Saint Albans have had a dismal five weeks with four losses in their past five matches including a narrow 1-0 loss to Pascoe Vale courtesy of a first half goal to Prevelic in the eighth minute. Sitting bottom of the table with only one win for the season, the Saints will be striving to turn their season around starting with a victory against an in-form South side away from home.

Head to Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 5 this year where South Melbourne secured a 2-0 win over the St Albans Saints at Churchill Reserve.

South Melbourne have won their last three games against St Albans.

South urges all fans to come and support the boys in their Round 18 encounter with bottom side St Alban at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Saint Albans Saints
June 18 @ Lakeside Stadium
Kick off 4pm

On Sunday evening AAMI Park hosted rivals South Melbourne and Heidelberg United in round 17 of the NPL Victoria season. Heidelberg were coming off a 4-1 win last week against St Albans, and looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Meanwhile South were coming off a 14 day break after their match against Avondale was postponed. The only change to South’s starting eleven was the suspended Tim Mala making way for Luke Pavlou.

The first chance of the game fell to Heidelberg striker Kenny Athiu, who fired his shot straight at Nikola Roganovic five minutes into proceedings. South began to dominate possession after that, and created multiple half chances.

In the 37th minute the deadlock was broken when Nick Epifano cut in from the left and fired his shot past Heidelberg keeper Theodoridis to give South the lead.

Just before half time a turnover in the middle of the park saw Matt Foschini play Milos Lujic in on goal, whose cool finish gave South a 2-0 lead going into the half time break.

After scoring Lujic signalled straight to the bench to be subbed off, with Leigh Minopoulos coming on as his replacement at half time.

South continued their dominance in the second half. In the 79th minute, Jesse Daley ran in on goal and squared the ball for Epifano to score his second of the game and his fourth for the league campaign.

New signing Bardhi Hysolli come on late for Epifano to make his South debut, with Stefan Zinni making a last minute appearance off the bench replacing Daley. South kept their seventh clean sheet of the league season and moved to within three points of top spot with a game in hand.

South’s next game is against last placed St Albans at Lakeside on Sunday at 4pm .

South Melbourne 3 ( Epifano 37, 79 Luijc 44)
Heidelberg United 0
AAMI PARK

South Melbourne retained top spot after their 3-1 win over Alamein at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

Kicking off the historic double header against Alamein at AAMI Park, South were able to score their first goal for the afternoon through their leading goal scorer Melina Ayres after her shot from close range rolled into the back of the net in the ninth minute.

Not long after, South were able to find their second through substitute Caitlin Greiser after her thunderous strike inside the area blasted the top of the crossbar and over the line in the 19th minute.

Despite being 2-0 up, Alamein were starting to get a bit more possession late in the first half, with a shot from Doeglas going wide of the post in the 38th minute as South held on for a 2-0 lead at half-time.

South were looking dangerous on the counter in the opening minutes of the second half, with Ayres tapping it to Greiser inside the box who was unable to put the finishing touches as her shot inside the area was saved by Hudson in the 48th minute.

Greiser was looking dangerous up front for South, but was unable to score her second after her attempt from close range was blocked by Hudson in the 57th minute.

Greiser had another opportunity to score, after her shot from close range went wide of the post in the 63rd minute.

After numerous opportunities from Greiser, Alamein were able to score a goal of their own courtesy of a Coleman header into the back of the net in the 66th minute.

However, just three minutes later, South were able to find their third through an Ayres header inside the box in the 69th minute as the girls secured their eleventh win for the season.

South will now shift their focus to the Bulleen Lions when the two teams meet at the Veneto Club next Monday night.

South Melbourne will face off against Heidelberg United in a historic derby at AAMI Park with the boys looking to continue on their winning ways from two week ago after defeating the Port Melbourne Sharks 2-1, while Heidelberg United will be striving to hold onto top spot after defeating St Albans 4-1 last weekend.

South Melbourne (WWWDW)

South Melbourne is in hot form with four wins in their past five matches. Coming off one week’s rest after their game against Avondale was postponed to August due to the unavailability of Lakeside Stadium, the club will be fresh coming against the Bergers and will be striving for nothing less than three points at AAMI Park on Sunday against our oldest foe.

Heidelberg United (WWWWW)

Heidelberg United are flying this season on the top of the table with five wins in five matches. Coming off an impressive 3-0 victory against Avondale FC, the Bergers were dominate against a St Albans outfit with first half goals to Ellis in the 14^th minute, and Zahra in the 34^th minute, as second half goals to Athiu and an own goal by Lazaridis ensured that the ladder leaders took all three points away from home.  Two points in front of the Bentleigh Greens on top of the table, the Bergers will be striving to get their seventh straight win when they meet traditional rivals South Melbourne at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Head to Head

The last time these two teams met was in Round 4 this year where Heidelberg United secured a narrow 1-0 win South Melbourne at Olympic Village courtesy of a second half goal to Kenny Athiu in the 81^st minute.

South urges their fans to come and support the boys in their huge Round 17 encounter with ladder leaders Heidelberg United at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Match Details

South Melbourne vs Heidelberg United
June 11 @ AAMI Park
Kick off 6:30pm