VPL: Green Gully Cavaliers see coach off with 1-1 draw

GREEN Gully Cavaliers finished with a 1-1 draw with Port Melbourne Sharks in a tight Victorian Premier League contest at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday.

The Cavaliers parted company with coach Dean Hennessey during the week after just six matches in charge and were eager to turn around their slow start to the season.

The Cavs wish was not answered in the first half – it was the Sharks who struck the only goal to half-time through Luke Bowen in the 24th minute.

Bowen would turn from hero to villain for the Sharks when he gave away a penalty for handling the ball in the box.

Cavs striker Jason Hayne stepped up to the spot and curled the penalty into the top corner for an equaliser.

The Cavaliers will step out under the Friday night lights on the road at Richmond in a game between two of the struggling sides in the competition.

Melbourne Knights were rolled 2-1 by title contenders Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Reserve on Friday night. The Knights trailed by two goals before Jacob Colosimo put the visitors on the board.

They returned home without a point after failing to add to the scoreboard. The Knights will host Dandenong Thunder at Knights Stadium on Sunday.

In state league 2, Sydenham Park and Avondale Heights could not trouble the scoreboard attendants in a nil-all draw at Keilor Lodge Reserve.

Westgate and Fitzroy City had a more entertaining split of the points, finishing 2-2 under lights at Ardeer Reserve.

Keilor Park made up some ground on the leading sides with a 3-0 drubbing of Ballarat Red Devils.

In state league 3, Cairnlea’s winning streak ended at five with a 2-1 loss to Yarraville Glory at Cairnlea Park.

Westvale’s woes continued, beaten 3-2 by Sunbury United in a ripping encounter at McKechnie Reserve.

In a state league 5 goal fest, Keilor Wolves had a 5-3 win over Melbourne Tornado at Green Gully Reserve.