Avondale Heights Inaugural NPL1 champions, The NPL finals kickoff & a dream run ended in the FFA Cup
Avondale Heights SC have become the first team to win the NPL1 championship despite losing 2-0 to 6th place FC Bulleen at the weekend.
A stunning free kick got the Lions off to a fantastic start away from home, going up 1-0 in the 25th minute. Missed opportunities and an aggressive midfield prevented Avondale from equalizing and eventually it was all too much for them, with a Dean Lorenzi strike from the edge of the box wrapping up the match for Bulleen.
A draw would have sealed the title on Saturday, however the glory was theirs a day later as 2nd place North Geelong Warriors went down 2-1 to Richmond SC. Avondale Heights and North Geelong Warriors will compete in the divison above next season.
Season two of the NPL finals kicked off on the weekend as the country’s best NPL teams fight for the title in a knockout tournament. Among the prize money and bragging rights, this year’s winner will also receive a guaranteed spot in the FFA Cup.
NPL Victoria champions South Melbourne are flying the flag for the state as they defeated Tasmanian team South Hobart FC last weekend.
It was a solid turnout in the Island state, with many South Melbourne fans making the trip down and they were to be rewarded for their effort, as Jamie Reed put the team up 1-0 in only the 6th minute.
It was hard fought from there, however South Melbourne managed to hold on for a 1-0 win; they play South Australian side Metro Stars SC in the Semi Final. Metro Stars booked a spot with a win on penalties against WA champions, Bayswater City FC. Elsewhere NSW champions Bonnyrigg White Eagles destroyed NPLACT winners Cooma Tigers FC 6-1 and Northern NSW premiers Weston Workers were beaten 2-1 by Queenslanders Palm Beach Sharks SC.
The FFA Cup round of 16 concluded last night as match-day two saw the end of 2 Victorian clubs and with that, a fairytale run.
South Springvale, from Victoria’s third division, were unable to progress going down 1-0 at the hands of Queensland side Palm Beach Sharks. South’s did well to take the game into the last 10 minutes without conceding, however a Jack Boxell strike guided the Queenslanders into the quarterfinal
St Albans Saints were the other Victorian team to fall short, going down 4-1 to Perth Glory at home. Down 2-0 mid way through the second half, player-coach Ryan McGuffie slotted home a penalty to bring the Melbourne team back into striking distance. Yet Perth never looked threatened from there, eventually running away with the win.
Elsewhere a thrilling Sydney derby ended 3-1 to the A-league outfit, while Adelaide United disposed of the Brisbane Roar 2-0 at home.
Image courtesy of Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac.
