VPL Wrap | Northcote maintain the status quo

With undefeated Northcote City aside, it was a case of back to front in the Victorian Premier League this weekend as teams in the lower half of the ladder won big.

With undefeated Northcote City aside, it was a case of back to front in the Victorian Premier League this weekend as teams in the lower half of the ladder put in the notable performances.

Dandenong Thunder, Oakleigh Cannons and Richmond all recorded victories against teams higher than them on the ladder while Green Gully, seven positions below second placed Bentleigh were two goals to the good before being forced to share the points.

Port Melbourne Sharks 0 Dandenong Thunder 2 (Azizi 47' Epifano 92') JL Murphy Reserve

Dandenong Thunder snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Port Melbourne on Friday night. A brilliant free kick from Feston Azizi and Nick Epifano's late sealer brought the visitors to within two points of the top six.

The 2012 Premiers thoroughly overpowered the hosts and were unlucky not to be leading at the half-time break with many half chances going to waste. The return of Luke Hopper to the strike force alongside Nate Foster also proved a dangerous combination for the visitors, who will be looking to continue their winning ways.

Port Melbourne take on South Melbourne next week while Dandenong return home to take on Green Gully on Saturday night.

Pascoe Vale 0 Oakleigh Cannons 4 (Zoric 20', Vittaglia 34', 41', 68') Hosken Reserve

Reece Vittiglia was the hero for the Oakleigh Cannons after his hat trick on Friday night ensured the hosts would remain within touching distance of the top six.

The Cannons had only one win under Miron Bleiberg since his return to coaching in the VPL, thus the win will give last year's Grand Finalists a small boost heading into the second half of the season.

Despite the score line Pascoe Vale felt they had been hard done by and deserved better than a four goal loss, however must bounce back quickly against Richmond on Friday night who have finally clinched their first win of the season. Oakleigh Cannons take on Melbourne Knights on Sunday night.

Green Gully Cavaliers 2 (A. Vargas 10', Fisher 55') Bentleigh Greens 2 (McCormick 76', 90+2') Green Gully Reserve

Green Gully let a two goal lead slip to share the spoils with Bentleigh Greens on Saturday afternoon.

Despite taking an early lead through Andy Vargas, the visitors were clearly the better team and it was evident that poor finishing and lapses in defence cost Bentleigh the three points.

Liam McCormick scored twice in the second half, his equaliser coming in the second minute of stoppage time to keep Bentleigh inside the top four.

Green Gully's task will not get any easier next week travelling to Dandenong on Saturday night. Bentleigh Greens host bottom of the table Southern Stars on Friday night.

Southern Stars 0 Richmond 4 (Tasevski 22' 27', Karaham 72', Groenwald 73') Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

In the battle of the cellar-dwellers Richmond scored a comprehensive victory over Southern Stars at Kingston Heath on Saturday night.

A first half brace to former Melbourne Heart youth player Kliment Taseski and two goals in quick succession to Karaham and Groenwald ensured Grant Brebner's side enjoyed their first points of the season after eight consecutive losses.

The win also saw the visitors leapfrog Southern Stars on the ladder who remain on two points for the season.

Richmond host Pascoe Vale on Friday night while Southern Stars stay at Kingston Heath to take on neighbours Bentleigh Greens.

South Melbourne undone. Credit: Cindy Nitsos Northcote City 3 (Lujic 27', Konstantinidis 56', Catalano 59') South Melbourne 0 John Cain Memorial Park

Northcote City stretched their lead atop the Victorian Premier League table to seven points after an impressive second half performance against South Melbourne.

Both sides met in the most recent round of the State Knockout Cup in one of the matches of the season, making the contest on Sunday afternoon much more interesting. After a fairly even first-half contest, the hosts overpowered South when it mattered most, scoring two quick fire goals within minutes and proving why they are currently the best in the competition.

South has only won one game in their past six matches and will be looking to turn the tables against Port Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. Northcote City travel to Broadmeadows to take on second placed Hume City in what will be an interesting encounter.

Melbourne Knights 0 Hume City 1 (Hegarty 57') Knights Stadium

The Hume City wagon keeps rolling on after they defeated Melbourne Knights for their fifth consecutive win of the season, shooting them up to second on the table.

Knights were unlucky not to take an early lead and after a number of half chances it was the visitors who took advantage in the second half with Nick Hegarty scoring the only goal of the game.

The game was not without controversy with two handball calls against Hume within minutes both waved away by the referee, leaving Knights feeling hard done by.

Image by CIndy Nitsos

For more VPL news click here