6:30pm FC Essendon 8-9 FC Richmond

Round 19 was upon us and at the business end of the season every point counts in every clash on the card. Richmond got off to a flying start grabbing the opening goal through Noor Khashaba and quickly doubling it after some good work from Giuseppe Amonail set up Khashaba again. Taylan Aksoy got his name on the score sheet after another brilliant cut back from Amonail. Aksoy then cut one back for Khashaba to convert his hat-trick and have bottom placed Richmond 4-0 in front. Essendon manager Liubomir Erakovic taking the field for the first time in a long time opened Essendon’s account but it didn’t dent the killer bee’s day as Ninos Emmanuel toe poked one home to have Richmond leading 5-1 at the break. Aksoy kept up their joy opening the second half scoring to have his side 6-1 in front and heading for the 3 points. Diego Assaeda pulled one back for his side and started a flow of goals as Anthony Hammer added another. From the restart Hammer pressed Richmond and was rewarded with another goal and the wanderers had 3 within 2 minutes. Juso Julardzija got his first of the night and suddenly they were back in the game. Aksoy though once again regained the advantage his bees putting away his hat-trick. Hammer completed his hat-trick soon after to have the wanderers back in the game once again, but not for the first time Aksoy put another dent in Essendon grabbing his 4th. However Essendon did not give up when their marksman Julardzija hit 2 quick goals they were back on level terms for the first time since kick off and with under a minute remaining. With the tie heading for a draw someone needed to stand up and stand up they did when Amonail smashed home the winner Richmond were inconsolable after recording their second win of the season and giving themselves a real chance to stay up while for Essendon the loss is a disappointing one they stay in 6th but only just.

7:20pm CF Brunswick 3-2 FC Prahran

Second clash on the card saw a struggling Brunswick outfit take on in form Prahran missing key goal scorer Jose Portllio it was always going to be tough for them to score goals. On Prahran’s side it was the same story missing leading goal scorer Maxi Avram through injury it proved to be a low scoring affair. Mike Sharples opened the scoring with a tidy finish before Cameron Holmes equalized just minutes later. Antonis Apostolakis scored a stunning volley towards the end of the first half to give his side the advantage. With just seconds remaining in the half Ahmed Azzam equalized for Prahran and they believed they could go on in the second half. Halid Avdic got the scoring underway in the second half and it proved to be a goalkeepers half with Michael Chami & Jimmy Brennan pulling off some fantastic saves to deny their respective opposition. That’s how it stayed 3-2 the final score and a huge win for Brunswick which puts them within touching distance of the top 8. As for Prahran it’s another season of what might have been they stay in 3rd which unless a horrific slide occurs is where they will finish up the season.

8:10pm North Melbourne 3-1 Pascoe Vale

Next up El Classico the one everyone had been waiting for North Melbourne vs Pascoe Vale built up as the title decider both sides brought full lists. Pascoe Vale had brought in Shavin Adelli & Renagi Ingram from interstate while North Melbourne chose to go with their same 11 man line up. Pascoe Vale began the first half stronger creating plenty of chances and keeping possession of the ball for long periods of time. Adeli was shining in the first half and perhaps if not for Christos Apostolakis could have had a goal or two Andre Caro and Joao Da Silva were also looking the goods early for the lions. The vipers stars were quiet early on and could have been behind if not for their superstar goalkeeper Christos Aposolakis but they went into the break 0-0. The second half got under way and with just 2 minutes played Joao Da Silva riffled a free kick into the top right hand corner of Aposolakis net and the lions lead 1-0. A viper’s free kick was laid off to Jonathan Barrientos to rattle the upright. Shortly after that the vipers were level when Jonathan Barrientos thumped one into the bottom right corner of Cem Bicers net. From then on the game was even with both sides enjoying plenty of possession before a drastic move from lions manager Paul Vidic as he subbed goalkeeper Cem Bicer for Brenno Polati and sent Andre Caro into goals but a confusion with the substitution cost Pascoe Vale dearly as Gui Costa tapped in to give the vipers a 2-1 lead with Pascoe Vale pushing for the win Adam Cooper cleared the ball from his defense into an open empty lions net which sent the North Melbourne bench into raptures as they put 4 points between themselves and their rivals.

9:00pm Ashburton FC 5-10 Metropolitan FC

Next up was The Green Machine vs. The Sky Blues. Known to be a free scoring unit Metropolitan was sure they could overcome an understrength Ashburton side. Alexander Stevanovic opened the scoring for the Sky Blues before Sofiane Soufi hit back for the green machine. Alija Redzepovic who has been very quiet of late got his name on the score sheet to give his side the lead. Abel Bahiru equalized for Ashburton. Stevanovic got another to his name to put Metropolitan back in front. Alija added his second shortly after as The Sky Blues jumped out to a 4-2 lead early in the first half Dino Redzepovic got in on the act as he got Metropolitan’s 5th and his brother Alija rounded out the first half scoring to have them 6-2 in front at half time. Soufi opened the second half scoring to give his side a chance but It was quickly killed off by an Alexander Stevanovic Free kick before Stevanovic grabbed his 4th Minutes later. Soufi was the only shining light for Ashburton as he completed his hat-trick. Alija added his 4th to put Metro 9-4 ahead with only a few Minutes remaining. Soufi smashed home his 4th of the match to put in a man of the match effort for his side. Jusuf Avdic rounded out the scoring before one last twist saw Soufi’s frustration boil over and he received a red card. The win puts Metro within touching distance of Prahran while Ashburton look in danger of being in the relegation battles.

9:50pm Brimbank FC 6-6 FC Balwyn

Second last clash of the night saw Brimbank take On Balwyn with both sides in desperate need of the 3 points. Brimbank opened the scoring and rushed out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals from Aden Alicevic. Ivan Zilic pulled one back for the Balwyn boys as they looked to come from behind for the second week in a row trailing 3-1 at half time. Alicevic showed why he is so valuable to the Brimbank line up adding his 4th soon after the break. Zilic got his second and showed why he is almost irreplaceable at Balwyn. Mark Saric got on the board and gave Balwyn a sniff before Mark Borchett restored the 2 goal advantage. Zilic completed his hat-trick soon after to have Balwyn back within a goal and Tony Imeri poked home with only 4 Minutes remaining to equalize. Fikret Causevic put Brimbank ahead once again to surely seal the points, but that never say die Balwyn Attitude got them their equalizer through timesman Ivan Zilic. The game finished 6-6 and gave Balwyn a chance to get into the top 4 while for Brimbank it was 2 points lost in their quest for a Futsal Oz Cup birth.

10:40pm Fitzroy FC 10-2 Mickleham FC

The last clash on the card saw Fitzroy take on lowly Mickleham. Andy Jerez opened the scoring for Fitzroy and Italian born Robert Armellini doubled the advantage minutes later. Simon Pincic got one back for Mickleham before a brilliant 1-2 between Haydar Noor and Lucas Johns had Fitzroy’s 3rd. Ben Gearboc kept the hammers in the game before 2 more scrumptious goals from Armellini sealed his hat-trick and had Fitzroy in the driver’s seat. Ante Vasic scored an own goal for Fitzroy to have them 6-2 ahead. Noor got his second before cutting one back for Johns to have 2 in a minute. A brilliant passing move between Jerez and Richie Ferguson had them 9-2 ahead before Ben Gearboc Rifled in an own goal to round out the scoring. The win keeps Fitzroy in the hunt for Futsal Oz Cup Action while the loss could prove costly for Mickleham as they stay in 11th.

Top Goalscorers

1. Joao Da Silva 44
2. Sofiane Soufi 38
3. Maxi Avram 37
4. Alija Redzepovic 35
5. Jose Portillio 30

Round 19 Clashes Wednesday March 28

• 6:30 FC Essendon v FC Richmond 8-9
• 7:20 FC Prahran v CF Brunswick 2-3
• 8:10 North Melbourne FC v Pascoe Vale FC 3-1
• 9:00 Ashburton FC v Metropolitan FC 5-10
• 9:50 Brimbank FC v FC Balwyn 6-6
• 10:40 Fitzroy FC v Mickleham FC 10-2

Round 20 Clashes Wednesday April 4

• 6:30 Ashburton FC v Mickleham FC
• 7:20 Brimbank FC v FC Richmond
• 8:10 FC Prahran v Pascoe Vale FC
• 9:00 Fitzroy FC v North Melbourne FC
• 9:50 FC Balwyn v Metropolitan FC
• 10:40 FC Essendon v CF Brunswick