Suffering two straight defeats to Gold Coast United and Queensland Lions, Gold Coast Knights managed to bounce back with an important 4-2 win over Wynnum Wolves.
Despite the Knights remaining fourth in the league table, they have up to three games in hand over the top three sides, presenting the opportunity to rejuvenate their season in pursuit of the NPL Queensland Premiership and subsequent Australian Championship qualification.
Elsewhere, St Albans Dinamo claimed a crucial late point, Sydney United 58 continued their winning ways, and Adelaide Croatia Raiders were flattened 3-0 by their rivals.
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 17
Hume City 3 (Isgrove 45+3′, Harker 73′, Uysal 90+2′)
Dandenong City Hajduk 0
Taking on Hume City in a potential six-pointer for NPLM Victoria Finals football, Dandenong City Hajduk had a tricky task on their hands at Nasiol Stadium.
Despite recording over double their opponents’ expected goals, total shots and 56% possession, Dandy City were blown away by a clinical Hume.
Former Southampton winger Lloyd Isgrove opened the scoring late in the first half, which was followed up by Rob Harker and Mehment Uysal in the second 45′.
Defeated 3-0, Hajduk has now fallen five points behind the top six, needing to bounce back with a mid-week fixture in the Dockerty Cup against South Melbourne before hosting Green Gully at Frank Holohan on Friday, June 13.
St Albans Dinamo 2 (Platt 55′, Byrns 90+5′)
South Melbourne 2 (Mells 23′, Mikkola 50′)
Claiming a point last week against Heidelberg United, St Albans Dinamo returned to Churchill Reserve to take on the newly revived South Melbourne.
However, a first-half goal from George Mells and a second from Max Mikkola in the 50th minute had Dinamo down by two goals in a poor display.
Needing a result in the pursuit of survival, a dangerous ball into the box by Lucas Byrns was not dealt with by the South defenders, with Mickel Platt pouncing to score his fifth goal of the season.
Bringing the game back into the balance, Dinamo had all the momentum as they sought out a point.
Bolting down the left wing, a crafty finish by Lucas Byrns was the crucial equaliser for his side.
The 22-year-old stepped up to the plate once again for Dinamo, maintaining their 11th position on the NPL Victoria ladder.
Next week will likely prove a challenge, as St Albans take on league leaders Avondale FC at Avengers Park on Saturday, June 14.
NPL New South Wales: Round 18
Sydney United 58 1 (Wells 38′)
Manly United 0
Sydney United 58 extended their winning streak to five games in all competitions with a well-earned 1-0 victory over Manly United at Edensor Park.
Looking likely to open the scoring, a defensive intervention and smart pass from Leroy Jennings was finished off by the firing Mason Wells, who scored his seventh NPL NSW goal this season.
While the visitors began to grow into the game and create some chances, some resolute defending by United 58 denied Manly of recording a single shot on target.
Ante Jurić’s side successfully held out for the 1-0 win, remaining in the top six of the ladder and five points clear of seventh-placed St George Saints.
Next on the fixture list will be the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth team, taking on the academy side on Saturday, June 14.
NPL Queensland: Round 13
Gold Coast Knights 4 (Inman 10′, Walters 13′, 17′, Layton 55”)
Wynnum Wolves 2 (Hill 38′, Lofthouse 72′)
Off the back of two consecutive losses, a response was needed from Gold Coast Knights, as they prepared to host Wynnum Wolves in NPL Queensland’s Round 13.
It went just about perfectly for the Knights, taking a three-goal lead after 17 minutes thanks to an opener from Bradden Inman and a brace from striker Marquez Walters.
While the visitors brought it back to 3-1 late in the first half, a 55th-minute goal from centre-back Sam Layton essentially sealed the three points for Scott McDonald’s men.
St. George Willawong will be the next task for Gold Coast Knights, taking on the 10th-placed side away from home on Saturday, June 14.
NPL South Australia: Round 13
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 0
FK Beograd 3 (J. Konstandopoulos 20′, Trimboli 62′, K. Konstandopoulos 67′)
Securing a point and a clean sheet last week against the high-flying Adelaide United Youth, Adelaide Croatia Raiders had the task of hosting FK Beograd in Round 13 of the NPL SA season.
It certainly didn’t go to plan for Vlado Blažeka’s side, falling a goal behind in the 20th minute after Jason Konstandopoulos’ goal.
Two more were to follow after the hour mark from Antoni Trimboli and Kristian Konstandopoulos, sinking hopes of a result for the Raiders.
Stuck on the bottom of the ladder, the Raiders need to overcome a four-point gap to ensure survival in South Australia’s top flight.
Hosting MetroStars next on Saturday, June 14, Adelaide Croatia will hope to stun the league leaders, before having the opportunity to get revenge over FK Beograd and book their place in the Australia Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday, June 18.
NPL Western Australia: Round 11
Floreat Athena 2 (Mathet 54′, Kanzi 63′)
Western Knights 4 (Sparta 3′, 17′, Da Rocha 62′, White 68′)
Undefeated since the beginning of May in NPL WA, a fixture against the struggling Floreat Athena was a must-win for the Western Knights.
Kosta Sparta struck twice within the first 17 minutes, taking his goal tally to three for the season in a perfect start for the Knights.
Floreat got one back early in the first half, but a long-range effort from Alex Da Rocha and an opportunistic effort at the back post by Dylan White helped the Knights secure a 4-2 win.
While not the prettiest performance, the Knights have now jumped up to 7th in the ladder, five points clear of Fremantle City in the relegation playoffs and five points behind Armadale in the top four.
Western Knights remain on the road for a clash with Perth Redstar on Saturday, June 14.
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