VPL1 Round 10 Wrap: City Run Riot as Bentleigh Slip

James Stuart

It was a weekend of wild swings and defining results in VPL 1, as Melbourne City flexed their attacking firepower in a 6-3 thriller, Bentleigh Greens stumbled, and the top-six race tightened following big wins for Western United, Bulleen, and Northcote.

City Turn On the Style, But Defensive Worries Emerge

Melbourne City remain unbeaten and perched atop the table after a chaotic 6-3 win away to George Cross. It was football mayhem in the second half as the hosts struck back from 3-0 down to make it 4-3 within an 11-minute span, only for City to score two more of their own and kill the game off in ruthless fashion.

It wasn’t always pretty, especially conceding three in a short burst, but with a league-high 32 goals and a five-match unbeaten run, City are marching toward promotion with real belief. While they still have the second-tightest defence in the league, conceding three times to seventh-place George Cross may be a sign that that aren't entirely untouchable.

Bentleigh Greens Stunned by Brunswick City

Second-placed Bentleigh Greens saw their momentum checked by a sharp Brunswick City side, going down 2-0 in what could prove a costly slip. Goals in the 3rd and 74th minutes gave Leonidas the edge in a tidy, professional performance that sees them now just two points off second.

It’s now two losses in three for Bentleigh, whose defensive record (still the best in the league) took a hit after a rare off-day at the back. For now, they still hold the coveted second automatic promotion spot, but have allowed the chasing pack to close in.

Western United and Bulleen Keep Up the Pressure

Western United closed in to one point behind Bentleigh with a dominant second-half display against Melbourne Srbija, scoring three unanswered goals from the 63rd minute onward to secure a 3-1 win. Srbija, still winless after ten rounds, remain second-bottom with just five points and little to cheer about.

Bulleen also made up ground on Bentleigh, edging out Moreland City 2-1 at home. After going behind to a Jayden Scott strike in the 8th, the Lions responded through Geoge Karvounis just two minutes later and sealed it late via Dennis Menelaou. Moreland played most of the game a man down after Smaragdiou was shown red in the 38th, and Bulleen took full advantage.

Northcote on a Roll, Kingston Collapse Again

Northcote City made it three wins in a row with a 3-1 away win over free-falling Kingston City, whose form has nosedived in recent weeks. An early O'Hea goal was cancelled out by Kingston's Yianni Panakos, before Northcote scored twice more after half time. Jack Foden’s 80th-minute red card summed up the home side’s frustration: it’s now four straight losses for Kingston.

Northcote, meanwhile, strengthened their hold on the final playoff spot, going three points clear of George Cross in seventh.

Late Drama Elsewhere

In the most dramatic finish of the round, Manningham United stole a point when Kevin Lynch struck in the 93rd minute. The chaotic ending included a red card for Corentin Chauve in stoppage time, and both sides left with a point that does little for either team’s ambitions.

Finally, Eastern Lions came from behind to beat Langwarrin 2-1 in a gritty performance on the road. Goals in the 6th and 83rd minutes sealed their second win of the campaign and helped them jump off the bottom of the table.

League Table Snapshot

With just six points separating second and sixth, the fight for promotion is getting tighter by the week. Melbourne City look the part as frontrunners, but Bentleigh will feel the pressure from Western United, Bulleen, Brunswick, and Northcote hot on their heels.

At the other end, it’s grim reading for Moreland City and Melbourne Srbija, while Langwarrin and Kingston hover dangerously close to the drop zone.