By Lance Jenkinson
Green Gully will put its National Premier League top-flight status on the line this Sunday when it faces NPL 2 side Moreland City in the promotion-relegation play-off at AAMI Park.
The Cavaliers find themselves in this predicament because of their horrible second half of the season, in which they slid to third-last spot on the ladder after looking finals-bound mid-season.
The winner of this match will be a top-tier NPL team next season, while the loser will play in NPL 2.
St Albans Saints would have jumped at the chance of a spot in this weekend’s promotion-relegation play-off.
The Saints were smashed 4-1 by Moreland City in the play-off eliminator at Jack Edwards Reserve on Saturday.
The only joy for the Saints came through a goal from Michael Grgic late in the first half.
In women’s NPL, Calder United saved its worst until last. United was eliminated from the title race in brutal fashion, losing 4-0 to FC Bulleen Lions in a cut-throat semi-final at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday.
The manner of the defeat was surprising considering Calder finished a massive 10 points above Bulleen in the regular season. The future is bright for Calder, but the loss to Bulleen will sting over the summer.
The grand final will be contested by premier plate winner South Melbourne and Bulleen Lions.
Lance Jenkinson
