Recording nine losses in their opening 12 fixtures, Melbourne Knights’ shock start to the NPL Victoria has continued with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Dandenong City Hajduk.
As fears of relegation loom around the Knights, Adelaide Croatia Raiders fell into the bottom two of NPL SA with a tough loss to Croydon Kings.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast Knights and Canberra Croatia have solidified their Premiership hopes with crucial wins, with direct qualification to the inaugural Australian Championship up for grabs.
NPL Victoria: Round 12
Dandenong Thunder 2 (Dekker 24′, Uchida 70′)
St Albans Dinamo 2 (Byrns 61′, Gulevski 75′)
Breaking a four-game losing streak in NPL VIC, St Albans Dinamo claimed an important point away from home against Dandenong Thunder.
Youngster Lucas Byrns scored the first equaliser just past the hour mark for Cameron Watson’s men, but Thunder’s new signing Yuki Uchida fired his side back into the lead in the 70th minute.
Only five minutes later, Josh Gulevski bagged his fifth goal in the season with a crucial goal to secure a draw and grasp a point for Dinamo.
Awaiting the on-form Hume City on Saturday, May 10, Dinamo will have to manage another tough away day while they sit just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Melbourne Knights 0
Dandenong City Hajduk 2 (Latham 56′, Webster 76′)
Hosting Dandenong City Hajduk in a must-win game, Melbourne Knights suffered a fourth-straight league loss at Tompsett Stadium.
Jamie Latham broke the deadlock to net his fourth of the season for his new club, while centre-back Jack Webster doubled Hajduk’s lead in the 76th minute to seal the win.
The win brings Hajduk back in touching distance with the top six, hosting Melbourne Victory on Friday, May 9.
On the flip side, the defeat to Hajduk represents the ninth loss of the season for Knights, sitting just two points clear of bottom-placed Port Melbourne Sharks.
Making the trip down to the coast to battle with 13th-placed Altona Magic, Ivan Franjić’s side will desperately look to return to winning ways in a potential relegation six-pointer on Saturday, May 10.
NPL New South Wales: Round 13
Sydney United 58 2 (Antelmi 64′, De Robillard 90+1′)
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 0
Falling to a second-half comeback last week to Blacktown City, Sydney United 58 managed to hold strong this time around and grab a 2-0 win over Mt Druitt.
Patrick Antelmi opened the scoring at Edensor Park from the spot in the 64th minute for his fifth goal in his last three outings, while youngster Stephan De Robillard sealed the victory in additional time.
Positioned seventh in NPL NSW, trailing Manly just by goal difference, four wins in the last six games see Ante Jurić’s side in touching distance with the top six, facing Sydney Olympic on Saturday, May 10.
NPL Queensland: Round 9
Gold Coast Knights 1 (Walters 64′)
Moreton City Excelsior 0
Taking their first defeat of the season to Sunshine Coast in Round 8, Gold Coast Knights returned to the wins column this weekend against NPL QLD league leaders, Moreton City Excelsior.
After substitute, Ben Hering was sent off just minutes after entering the game at the half-time break, Knights were able to capitalise on the extra player advantage.
Signed in the off-season from Moreton City, Marquez Walters scored his first goal for the club to ultimately sink his former employers.
Despite a sending-off in the 90th minute to Brendan Low, Scott McDonald’s outfit held out for a big win.
Only sat second behind Moreton City due to goals scored, the Knights have a golden opportunity to jump to the top of the pile on Friday, May 9 when they face 12th-placed St. George Willawong.
NPL South Australia: Round 8
Croydon Kings 3 (Carle 34′, Hisamoto 43′, 58′)
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 2 (King-Byrne 45+2′, Radice 46′)
Taking on Croydon Kings away from home, a disheartening 3-2 loss has seen Adelaide Croatia Raiders fall into NPL SA’s relegation zone.
Falling two goals behind after 43 minutes, Jai King-Byrne’s goal in additional time gave the Raiders the necessary inspiration to return strong from the break.
Paul Radice scored right away in the 46th minute, providing a crucial equaliser and a perfect start to the second half for his side.
However, a goal conceded just prior to the hour mark was enough for Croydon to claim all three points.
It was the Raiders’ third-straight loss in the league, dropping to 11th on the table.
Hosting Para Hills Knights on Saturday, May 10, Vlado Blažeka will hope to inspire his side to jump out of the relegation zone after Round 9.
NPL Capital Football: Round 4
Gungahlin United 0
Canberra Croatia 4 (Vucetic 39′, James 48′, 51′, Green 56′)
Kicking off round four of action in NPL ACT, Canberra Croatia continued their dominance on Capital Football with a stunning 4-0 win over Gungahlin United.
A brace from English striker Thomas James led the way for Croatia, overpowering Gungahlin and jumping to the top of the league.
Croatia will aim to continue their perfect start to the season when they face Tigers FC in a Grand Final rematch on Sunday, May 11.
O’Connor Knights 6 (Ceruti 6′, 69′, Manda 45+1′, John 45+2′, Adams 52′, Martin 79′)
Queanbeyan City 0
Winless in their opening three games, a thumping 6-0 win over Queanbeyan City could be the catalyst to kick off O’Connor Knights’ 2025 campaign.
Scoring three goals in each half, youngster Jenno Ceruti netted a brace in his first start for the Knights.
Sat rock-bottom after Round Three, O’Connor have jumped all the way up to fifth place with just three points under their belt.
Taking on fourth-placed Tuggeranong United on Sunday, May 11, O’Connor can leapfrog their opponents and step into the top four.
NPL Tasmania: Round 6
Glenorchy Knights 1 (Walpole 67′)
Launceston City 5 (Humphrey 19′, 23′, Taylor 42′, Swaby 90′, 90+6′)
Fresh off three big wins against Devonport, Kingborough and Riverside, Glenorchy Knights’ big loss to Launceston City has shaken up the NPL Tasmania leaderboards.
Previously in second, narrowly trailing league leaders South Hobart, Glenorchy now fall to fourth on the table.
Facing Launceston United on Saturday, May 10, returning to winning ways will be vital for Glenorchy Knights and their Premiership hopes with the Australian Championship in the picture.
