VPL wrap: Northcote head the pack

Northcote remains undefeated in VPL action with both Bentleigh and South Melbourne desperate to chase them down.

Seven rounds into the Victorian Premier League season and Northcote City are the runaway leaders, amazingly still yet to drop a point. Whilst the league is far from a one horse race, it's hard to see where Northcote's first defeat is going to come from. At the other end of the table its disaster for Richmond who are yet to gain a single point from their seven games.

Bentleigh Greens 2 (Stirton 25' Sherbon 46') Melbourne Knights 1 (J.Colosimo 67') Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

Bentleigh kept their head above the chasing pack with a hard fought win over finals aspirant Melbourne Knights. Goals to stars David Stirton and Luke Sherbon enough to keep the Knights at bay.

Richmond 2 (Groenwald 14' Taseski 90') Hume City 3 (Sumbul 31- Barnes 53' Hegarty 72-) Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Richmond are still waiting to register a point this season after another disappointing display, this time going down to Hume City at home. After taking the lead for the third successive match the Eagles were steamrolled, but did manage to pull one back at the death. Hume, who many tipped to slip this season, are sitting in fourth position and travelling under the radar at the minute.

Hume travel to Oakleigh next week, Richmond will look to gain their first points when they host Green Gully.

Dandenong Thunder 0 Pascoe Vale 2 (Santilli 10' Ferrante 51') George Andrews Reserve

Pascoe Vale caused the upset of the season so far when they took all the points from Dandenong away. The Thunder looked lethargic but credit must go to Vitale Ferrante's men who now look comfortable at this level after a shaky start.

Expect a huge crowd at Hosken Reserve next week as Pascoe Vale host giants South Melbourne, Dandenong are at Sommers Street to face the Knights.

Green Gully Cavaliers 1 (Hayne 51' pen) Port Melbourne Sharks 1 (Bowen 24') Green Gully Reserve

There was plenty on the line as these two sides battled it out to stay in touch with the finals race. A point each way probably favoured the Sharks, so not a great start for Green Gully-s new interim coach and club stalwart Jeff Fleming.

A home game against the battling Southern Stars awaits Port Melbourne. Green Gully should get back on track with a visit to pointless Richmond.

Southern Stars 0 Northcote City 4 (Eager 28' Kounavelis 32' Piemonte 48- 59-) Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

Who is going to stop Northcote City? Southern Stars were no match succumbing 4-0 to the ladder leaders. Northcote are running away with the title at the moment and are playing fantastic football. The Stars are struggling at the other end of the table.

It is a huge game for Northcote next round as they host big-spending Bentleigh in a top of the table clash. Southern Stars travel to Port Melbourne.

South Melbourne 2 (Hatzimouratis 24- 36-) Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Smith 90-+1) Lakeside Stadium

South continued their home form and kept in touch with the leaders as a Dimi Hatzimouratis double was enough to see off Miron Bleiberg-s Oakleigh Cannons. A positive for Oakleigh is the debut of for Wellington Phoenix player Alex Smith who scored their only goal having come off the bench. A NSW Premier League winner with Sydney Olympic, Smith is hoping to become a star in Victoria too.

Next week South travel to the in-form Pascoe Vale while Oakleigh host Hume City.

Photo by Cindy Nitsos

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