The Bergers have struggled all season but yesterday's win moves it one spot from the bottom.

It started well for the home side with Steve Martin scoring a diving header at the back post from a Hrvoje Matkovic corner after Josip Kosic had earlier struck the post.

The lead did not last long, with Scott Bulloch scoring from the penalty spot after Jeffrey Bright had been brought down in the area.

The Thunder was ahead just before the break when Noel Bahnsen struck home from the edge of the penalty box to make it 2-1.

In an open game, Martin had a double when he scored a superb 25-yard free kick midway through the second period.

The home side had its second win of the season when Osagie Ederaro glanced home a Matkovic cross at the near post late on.

OAKLEIGH continued its hot run of form at the top of the table with a 3-0 win at Altona Magic.

Striker Jerry Karpeh struck a quick fire double midway through the second half before veteran Michael Curcija wrapped up the win 10 minutes from the end.

The loss leaves reigning champion Altona in last place on the competition ladder.

SOUTH MELBOURNE returned to good form with a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Sunshine George Cross.

Leading Georgies goal-scorer Kyle Joryeff was not part of the squad, joining South Melbourne with the transfer window open.

Marino Gasparis was back in the starting line-up and he opened the scoring just before the break with a curling shot past Martin John from the edge of the area.

The lead was doubled midway through the second period with Fernando De Moraes feeding Joe Keenan behind the defence to score his second goal for the club.

But the visitors pegged one back moments later with Stuart Nicholson hammering home after a good run.

The victory was sealed in stoppage time with Yusuf Yusuf sealing the points.

RICHMOND moved to second on the competition table with a late Milos Lujic winner securing a 2-1 win over Bentleigh.

The Greens made the perfect start when Johnny Sapazovski played Adam Fadljevic in to open the scoring in the 19th minute.

But the Eagles were on level terms through striker Daniel Visevic in the 36th minute after he hammered home from inside the area after a header from Jesse Krncevic was blocked.

Young Lujic was the hero for the second week in a row when he prodded home a cross from released Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael Ferrante.

HUME CITY let two points slip when it conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Northcote City.

It was Northcote striker Trent Rixon who unsurprisingly opened the scoring in the 15th minute.

But Hume was on level terms in the 37th minute when Fabio Dilizia was able to header home Richard Cardozo's corner.

Former Melbourne Victory youngster Aziz Behich gave the home side the lead with his cross turn shot finding the corner of the net in the 81st minute.

It was not to be for Hume with James Kalifatidis converting after receiving a long ball to score the late equaliser.

GREEN GULLY scored a much-needed win with a dour 1-0 victory over the struggling Melbourne Knights.

Winger Jonathan Munoz scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute after being played in by Mathew Sanders.

The Cavaliers welcome back former coach Ian Dobson as technical director while the Knights have secured the services of prodigal son Danny Tiatto for the remainder of the season.

 

Ladder (after 11 rounds)

1 - Oakleigh Cannons                   +9        23 pts

2 - Richmond                                   +6        22 pts

3 - Hume City                                   +6        20 pts

4 - South Melbourne                      +5        18 pts

5 - Sunshine George Cross          -3         15 pts

 

6 - Northcote City                            +4        14 pts

7 - Bentleigh Greens*                    -3         14 pts

8 - Green Gully                                -1         13 pts

9 - Dandenong Thunder               -10      11 pts

10 - Melbourne Knights                 -2         8 pts

 

11 - Heidelberg United*                 -4         7 pts

12 - Altona Magic                            -7         7 pts

*denotes a game in hand

 

Goals

7 - Fernando De Moraes (South Melbourne), Daniel Visevic (Richmond), Jerry Karpeh (Oakleigh), Trent Rixon (Northcote City)

6 - Kevin Townson (Melbourne Knights)

5 - Gianni De Nittis (South Melbourne), Jesse Krncevic (Richmond), Damir Lokvancic (Bentleigh), Richard Cardozo (Hume City), Michael Curcija (Oakleigh), Osagie Ederaro (Heidelberg United)

4 - Jean-Charles Dubois (Melbourne Knights), Kyle Joryeff (Sunshine George Cross/South Melbourne), Turhan Sumbul (Hume City)