Hosting the Port Melbourne Sharks following two comprehensive defeats, Dandenong City secured a big win thanks to an impressive second-half hat-trick scored by a star striker.
While Dandy came away with a vital three points, it was a weekend of narrow defeats for the other teams across VIC, NSW, QLD and SA.
Meanwhile, high-scoring wins in the Capital and Tasmania wrapped up a hectic weekend of action in NPL football.
Vjesnik’s Jake Holub wraps up the weekend’s NPL action for Croatian clubs across the country, reviewing the notable results and previewing what’s next to come.
NPL Victoria: Round 11
Dandenong City 5 (Mustafa 6’, Athiu 54’, 76’, 90+2’, Atherinos 57’)
Port Melbourne Sharks 2 (Brown 52’, Alisandratos 74’)
Coming off two consecutive 0-3 defeats to Avondale and Oakleigh respectively, Dandenong City enjoyed an exceptional 5-2 win over Port Melbourne Sharks.
With Aiden Brown equalising for the Sharks early in the first half, star striker Kenny Athiu fired home a remarkable hat-trick of goals and provided an assist for Timothy Atherinos’ neat chip finish.
The win saw Dandy jump from 10th to eighth in the league, eager to continue their winning form as they prepare to face Melbourne Knights next Sunday.
Preston Lions 2 (Romero 10’, 32’)
St Albans Saints 1 (Grgic 15’)
Amid a four-game losing streak after suffering defeat to Heidelberg in the Dockerty Cup, taking on Preston Lions at B.T. Connor Reserve was always going to prove difficult for St Albans.
Conceding early to American striker Jason Romero, Michael Grgic riffled in a thunderous strike from distance in the 15th minute to bring the Saints level.
However, Romero secured his brace just past the half-hour mark, which proved to be the difference between the two sides on Friday night.
St Albans next prepare to host Dandenong Thunder next Saturday night, hoping to overturn a difficult run of form.
Hume City 2 (Bingham 39’, Ochieng 56’)
Melbourne Knights 1 (Bramwell 80’)
Recording just one win in four consecutive home games, Melbourne Knights were tasked with a tough away fixture against Hume City.
Falling two goals behind early in the second half, the Knights were in a difficult position to overturn the deficit.
Despite an excellent finish from young attacker Ciaran Bramwell in the 80th minute spurring a late revival for his side, the Knights were unable to claim any points at Nasiol Stadium.
Ivan Franjic’s side awaits to host Dandenong City next in a crucial fixture for the Knights, who sit in 12th and are just a few points clear of the bottom two.
NPL New South Wales: Round 12
Blacktown City 3 (Major 48, Campbell 51’, O’Brien 67’)
Sydney United 58 2 (Wells 18’, Antelmi 33’)
Travelling away to take on Blacktown City, Sydney United started strong after an excellent comeback victory over St George Saints the week prior.
Scoring a hat-trick on St George, Patrick Antelmi continued his goal scoring along with Mason Wells to help United lead by two goals at the half-time break.
However, Blacktown quickly responded in the second half and ran away as winners, leaving Sydney United with no points.
Dropping one place down to 10th, Sydney United will have an excellent opportunity to return to winning ways when they face the struggling Mt Druitt Town Rangers next Sunday.
NPL Queensland: Round 8
Sunshine Coast Wanderers 2 (Cordwell 47’, Simpson 74’)
Gold Coast Knights 0
Gold Coast Knights XI:
Undefeated to begin what has been a hampered 2025 NPL QLD campaign, Gold Coast Knights recorded their first loss to the Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Reduced to 10 men after 22 minutes, the Knights sought to continue playing positive possession-based football.
However, two second-half goals for Sunshine Coast knocked off the Knights in what was a tough game.
Hosting the undefeated Moreton City Excelsior next Friday night, Gold Coast Knights will have the ability to jump ahead of the league leaders.
NPL South Australia: Round 7
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 0
Adelaide Comets 2 (Lobasso 49’, D’Orsi 74’)
Defeating Cumberland United in the Australia Cup on the previous Thursday night, Adelaide Croatia Raiders prepared to host an Adelaide Comets side in the midst of a three-game losing streak in the league.
While the Raiders pushed hard and forced a whopping nine saves out of the Comets’ goalkeeper Daniel Vaughan, the visitors came away with all three points.
Facing Croydon Kings away next, the Raiders will be desperate for points as they remain above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Capital NPL: Round 3
Canberra Croatia 5 (James 13’, Pratezina 23’, 25’, Vucetic 32’, Sparrow 60’)
Queanbeyan City 0
Hosting the newly promoted Queanbeyan City at Deakin Stadium, Canberra Croatia came out firing right away.
Four goals up after 32 minutes of action, the undefeated Croatia simply blew Queanbeyan away while adding a fifth on the hour mark.
Facing the win-less Gungahlin United away-from-home next Friday night, Croatia will hope to continue their perfect start to the season.
Monaro Panthers 5 (Piccolo 42’, Barac 55’, 62’, 75’, Tkatchenko 63’)
O’Connor Knights 0
Suffering defeats in all of their opening three games, it has gone from bad to worse for the O’Connor Knights after a devastating five-goal loss.
Led by a hat-trick from former Croatia striker Daniel Barac, Monaro remained top of the table with their thumping win, while Knights’ new star signing Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu saw red late on.
Facing Queanbeyan City next Saturday, it will be a must-win fixture to escape the floor of the table for the Knights.
NPL Tasmania: Round 5
Riverside Olympic 2 (Krusa 15’, Glover (O.G) 90+2’)
Glenorchy Knights 4 (Dillon 21’, 45+2’, Naden 29’, Prince (O.G) 66’)
Falling a goal behind early doors, the goals continued to flow for the red hot Glenorchy Knights.
Goals from Riley Dillon and Nicholas Naden brought the Knights 3-1 up at the break, seeing out the remainder of the game well.
Sat second in the league, Glenorchy host third-placed Launceston City next Saturday in what is set to be a cracking fixture.