Melbourne Knights rode high into fourth place in the NPL Victoria, doling out a 4-0 thrashing to Port Melbourne Sharks at Knights Stadium on Friday night.
The rampaging Knights scored three times in the first 21 minutes through Elvis Kamsoba, Jason Hicks and Tom Cahill, before Kamsoba completed the rout with a second goal midway through the second half.
It was the Knights’ second win in a row and third win in four games – the perfect form to take into a blockbuster clash with temporary co-tenants and ladder-leaders Avondale at Knights Stadium this Friday.
Green Gully endured a disastrous end to its bout with Heidelberg United at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday night, going down 3-2 after leading by two goals for 85 minutes.
Wade Dekker scored to give the Cavaliers a one-goal advantage at half-time, which was doubled shortly after the break by George Lambadaridis.
It appeared Green Gully would coast to the three points, but United produced a stunning eight-minute spell, piling on three goals to snatch victory.
Green Gully will want to re-group when it hosts South Melbourne at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday evening.
St Albans’ Saints remain bottom of the league after a 3-0 loss to Bentleigh Greens on Friday at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
The Saints will want to break the duck on home soil on Sunday, when Oakleigh Cannons visit Churchill Reserve.
In NPL2 west, Sunshine George Cross was pipped 1-0 by Melbourne at Epping Stadium.
It was just the second loss of the season, sending the Georgies to fourth on the ladder.
Sunshine is back at home on Saturday to host Goulburn Valley Suns, the fifth-ranked side in the east conference.
In state league 1, North Sunshine Eagles opened the season with a 2-0 win over Keilor Park on the road at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve. Westgate was beaten 4-2 at home by Yarraville, while Sydenham Park lost 2-1 to Altona Magic.
In state league 2, Westvale was courageous on the road, beating Geelong 2-1, while Cairnlea played out a 1-1 draw with Altona City away.
Lance Jenkinson
