After enjoying a week’s rest courtesy of the Westfield FFA Cup preliminary rounds, Melbourne City’s high flying NPL side will return to the field on Saturday as they square off with Springvale White Eagles FC at White Eagles Stadium in Round 7.
City will travel to Keysborough in a positive mood having emphatically swept aside rivals Melbourne Victory 5-1 in the previous round of the campaign.
Goals from Lucas Derrick, Gerrie Sylaidos, Denis Genreau and Ali Eyigun saw City overwhelm Victory in the first half, going into the break leading 4-1. Marko Delic’s fifth in the second half ensured that Joe Palatsides’ side secured not only local bragging rights, but also a third consecutive win.
A prolific goal-scoring run has been the catalyst for an impressive three-game winning streak, which has seen City outscore its opponents by a combined 14 goals to three. Palatsides side have now fired home an impressive 18 goals for the campaign so far, three goals more than any of their NPL2 East rivals.
Showing the depth of talent within the Club’s youth setup, the 18 goals have been spread over a remarkable 12 players, with Sylaidos and Eyigun leading the charge with 4 goals each to their names.
Three wins on the trot has seen City become the form side of the competition and has moved them to outright second on the ladder, one point behind league leaders Dandenong City SC, who will host Nunawading City on Friday night.
City’s opponents Springvale sit fifth on the table coming into the clash, having witnessed their early season run of good form that briefly saw the side go top of the ladder blunted by a points deduction from the FFV against Dandenong Thunder and two subsequent defeats at the hands of Moreland Zebras SC (0-1) and Sunshine George Cross SC (1-3).
Springvale coach Vlado Tortevski, who led Altona to a state league title last year before making the switch to White Eagles Stadium, will bring in a side led by top scorer Vojislav Milojevic, who has three goals to his name so far in the campaign, and a dangerous midfield pairing of former South Melbourne player Cody Martingale and one time Bosnian international Nebojsa Pejic.
City’s clash against Springvale will kick off at 3:00pm at White Eagles Stadium, with both sides U20’s playing a curtain raiser that kicks off at 1:00pm.
Match Details
NPL Victoria – Round 7
Springvale White Eagles vs Melbourne City
Saturday 25 March
White Eagles Stadium, Keysborough
Seniors: 3.00pm Under 20’s: 1.00pm
Entry at gate prices
