Episode description
3ZZZ goes into all the news and upcoming games for the Men’s and Women’s 2023 NPL Victoria season.
Transcript
The following transcript has been automatically generated and may contain errors.
This is NPL on 3ZZZ, where we bring you all the results of the NPL Victoria Men’s and Women’s competition. Brought to you by Bowens Timber and Hardware, Albert Street Cafe and Winsher Sports. My name is Rebecca Maakasa.
Two games on Friday night saw, Bentleigh Greens lose 2 nil at home to Green Gully. And St. Albans defeated Heidelberg United 1 goal to nil. On Saturday, Avondale and Hume City had a high scoring match where Avondale ended up winning the game 3-2. Port Melbourne and Moreland City had a one all draw. Altona Magic defeated North Geelong 1-0, and Dandenong Thunder lost at home to Oakleigh Cannons 2-1.
On Monday night, 3ZZZ was present to broadcast the match between reigning Premiers, the South Melbourne Football Club, and old rivals Melbourne Knights, at the beautiful Lakeside Stadium.
In the 7th minute, South Melbourne got off to a tremendous start when defender Marko Jankovic thundered home a blistering header to put the hosts 1-0 in front.
George Grosios and DeArne Leonard: Good opportunity there for South Melbourne to put some pressure, create an opening. Allan Webb in acres of space down this right-wing couple. More feet then from Riyak and I think that would have been a goal for South Melbourne. There just the cross wasn’t quite there just then for Webb. Max McCullough Now to take the throw in and again, we have players massing in the Knights defence and there it is, the opening goal. That is a great header. It is South Melbourne one, Melbourne Knights nil number four, Marko Jankovic getting on that throw by Max McCullough.
Rebecca Maakasa: Not too long after the break, the ever-present Patrick Langois scored a well-timed goal to put South Melbourne 2-0 to the good against their rivals.
George Grosios and DeArne Leonard: So south now went with the throw Rick into the thick of the action. Oh South Melbourne can finally come forward. They’ve spread the ball wide to the right-hand side and a cross comes in and a save and it’s an opening header. It’s a goal goal. In the 47-minute mark, South Melbourne. A cross has come in from the right-hand side and getting on the end of that, I wish I could tell you there’s a mass of South Melbourne players, but our ground announcer will bring us up to speed. But South Melbourne, early minutes of the second half, two nil.
Rebecca Maakasa: At the 58 minute mark, Melbourne Knights clawed back with a goal from the penalty spot when Gian Albano scored after being fouled by South Melbourne keeper Javi Lopez.
George Grosios and DeArne Leonard: Next mycologist, nipping at the heels of his opponent concedes the free kick a through ball by the knights. And we have a penalty. It is a penalty the through ball. Lopez came rushing off his line, got nowhere near the ball and has tripped the Knights player and just an easy call for the referee. An opportunity for the Knights to come back into this match. A penalty in the 56-minute mark. So there’s tension in the crowd as Melbourne Knights get ready to take their penalty kick and easily dispatched. Great penalty kick by the Knights. That brings them back into the match. Penalty slotted there by Gian Albano.
Rebecca Maakasa: But it wasn’t enough as South Melbourne ran out winners 2-1 to take their tally, 3 wins from 3 games to keep up their perfect start.
George Grosios and DeArne Leonard: Here’s an opportunity for the Knights to break again. They’ve got acres of space down this right side. Soumahoro controls the ball and then fumbles. Very, very bad control of the ball and allow South Melbourne to come forward. And that is the final whistle. The final whistle is blown on a thrilling match where it is South Melbourne and South Melbourne defeat the Melbourne Knights two one.
Rebecca Maakasa: The ladder has South Melbourne on top, followed by Avondale, Oakleigh, Port Melbourne, St. Albans and Dandenong to finish the top 6. Moreland City, Altona, North Geelong, Green Gully, Hume City, Melbourne Knights, Heidelberg United and Bentleigh Greens make up the rest of the ladder.
For the upcoming games for round 4, on Friday night at 8pm, Green Gully host Port Melbourne at Green Gully reserve. At 8.30 Heidelberg faces Oakleigh Cannons at Olympic Village. On Saturday, Moreland City host Altona Magic at CB Smith Reserve. Avondale play away to North Geelong at Elcho Park. Hume City takes on St. Albans at Hume City Stadium. Dandenong Thunder is at home to South Melbourne at George Andrews Reserve and to finish off the round, at Knights Stadium it’s Melbourne Knights and Bentleigh Greens.
The NPL Victoria Women’s season begins on Friday the 18th of March and 3ZZZ is looking forward to bringing you the action of the South Melbourne Women’s team live from Lakeside Stadium, as well as all the news of the NPL women’s competition very soon.