Sunshine George Cross secured a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with eastern conference powerhouse Springvale White Eagles in National Premier League 2 west at Knights Stadium on Saturday.
The Georgies are still in a spot of bother – bottom of the ladder 13 rounds in with a terrible goal difference of -26. But results like this show it is a side on the improve.
After picking up just two points in the opening seven rounds, the Georgies have lost just one game in the past six, breaking through for their first win of the season along the way and drawing four.
But they still have some work to do to escape the relegation zone; they are currently six points from safety.
In the draw with Springvale, Su-Beom An scored his second goal of the season. An put the Georgies in front when he found the back of the net in the 39th minute.
Springvale refused to go away, finding an equaliser early in the second half.
Sunshine will be looking to keep its revival alive when it hosts eastern conference struggler Box Hill United at Knights Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, St Albans Saints had a gripping battle with ladder leader Moreland City, the two sides settling for a 1-1 draw at Churchill Reserve on Sunday.
The third-placed Saints trailed after six minutes, but earned a share of the points on the back of a goal to Juso Julardzija and a stellar performance from Rodrigo Covarrubias.
In the top tier NPL, Melbourne Knights flopped to a disappointing 2-0 road loss to Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday night.
In women’s NPL, Calder United continued on its merry way, thrashing Bayside United 5-2 at the Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Sunday.
Import Catherine Zimmerman put on a master class with a hat-trick, while Aleksandra Sinclair and Angela Beard completed the scoring for Calder. Calder has opened up a four-point gap at the top of the ladder.
In men’s state league 1, North Sunshine Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 flogging of Hoppers Crossing at Larissa Reserve. Matko Budimir fired in a double for the Eagles, while Kohei Meguro and Robert Zadworny completed the rout.
Keilor Park continued its rise up the ladder to third after a 1-0 win over Geelong.
Sydenham Park played out a 0-0 draw with Yarraville, while Western Suburbs went down 3-0 to Preston Lions.
It was a successful weekend for local clubs in the men’s state league 2. Brimbank Stallions had a huge 5-1 win over Fitzroy City, Westgate pummelled Geelong Rangers 4-0 and Cairnlea beat Diamond Valley United 2-0.
Western Eagles continue to dominate men’s state league 4 with a 4-1 mauling of Spring Hills. It was the eagles’ fifth win in succession.
Lance Jenkinson
