Two teams’ NPL futures decided as the FFA Cup round of 16 begins

 

North Geelong Warriors will feature in the country’s second tier next season as they sealed promotion to Victoria’s highest division at the weekend.

The club hasn’t seen the states premier division since 1997 and they almost had to wait longer, as they let their promotion chances go all the way down to the wire, defeating St Albans 1-0, the goal not coming till the 78th minute.

In a contrast of fortune, the Ballarat Red Devils fate was also sealed last weekend. The side looked to have the better chance of staying up, as they only needed a draw to seal safety.

Though a 2-0 loss at the hands of Oakleigh was compounded further as fellow relegation battlers Port Melbourne and Werribee City produced a draw in their match; anything but the tie would have kept the Red Devils up.

This means Ballarat will join fellow relegated side Goulburn Valley Suns in the NPL1 next season, alongside Murray United F.C.

National football news now and the FFA Cup round of 16 kicked off on Tuesday night which saw two Victorian teams progress to the quarter finals. A-league side Melbourne Victory took on the ACT’s last remaining hope, Tuggeranong United.

From the outset Melbourne showed their class going up 3-0 early in the game. It was clinical from there on as the Victory never looked troubled, eventually coming away with a hefty 6-0 win.

Besart Berisha kept his stellar run of form going at his new club, netting a hat trick for the Melbourne based side. Gui Finkler, Connor Pain and new signing Matthieu Delpierre also chipped in with goals

NPL Victoria side Bentleigh Greens kept their cup run alive defeating NSW premier team Sydney Olympic 2-1.  For the second time the Greens disposed of NSW opposition away from home, beating Blacktown City last month in the round of 32.

Bentleigh were well deserving of the win, looking in control for most of the game, however a late goal to Olympic made the score line more acceptable for the Sydney side. Early goals to De Vries and Mcormick helped set up the win that sees the Greens advance to the quarters.

To round out match day 1 from the round of 16, Central Coast disposed of Olympic FC 3-1 while Adelaide city beat former NSL side Brisbane Strikers 1-0 at home.

Finally the NPL finals start this weekend and it will be the first time Victorian sides have been involved. The link below will give you the ULTIMATE guide to the NPL finals which sees the winner automatically drawn in the 2015 FFA Cup.

http://www.murrayunitedfc.com.au/your-guide-to-the-npl-2014-finals-series

 

Photo courtesy National Premier Leagues.