The reigning champion had scored 10 goals in 11 games before the six-goal romp that led to Georgies coach Andy O'Dell resigning after a poor run of results.

Striker Koce Delev scored the first of his four goals when he got behind the Georgies defence in the 10th minute.

Four minutes before half time, new recruit John Thornley doubled the lead after Georgies shot stopper Martin John spilled a shot from Pece Cergovski.

It progressively got worse for the visitors with Delev scoring his second after a one-on-one with John seven minutes into the second half.

Another new recruit, Goran Talevski, scored a long-range goal to make it four in the 68th minute.

Minutes later, Delev had his hat trick and he wrapped up the romp with the teams sixth in the dying minutes.

HEIDELBERG United moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season after a 3-1 win over the Melbourne Knights.

The only goal of the first half came on two minutes, when United striker Saso Alexovski gave the home side the lead.

The same man made it two five minutes into the second period when he won the ball deep in attack.

Although Knights star Kevin Townson pulled one back two minutes later, the visitors slumped to bottom place when George Slefendorfas sealed the points.

And man of the match Alexovski was the architect, with Slefendorfas making it two in as many games for his new team.

RICHMOND continued its high-flying start to the season with a controversial 2-1 win at Green Gully.

The Eagles opened the scoring in the sixth minute when striker Jesse Krncevic pounced on a loose ball inside the area to hammer home.

Controversy rained soon after the Cavaliers appeared to have scored the equalizer.

Steven Burton appeared to have slotted home a spot kick in the 14th minute, but the ball went through the net and ricocheted off the advertising signs.

The referee looked ready to award the goal before consultation with his linesman led to him awarding a goal kick.

And Richmond took advantage of a rattled Gully side when Steven Topalovic headed home from an in-swinging Daniel Visevic corner.

The Cavaliers scored a late consolation goal when Burton glanced home a header from an Andy Vargas set piece.

OAKLEIGH regained top spot after momentarily losing it overnight with a 2-1 win at Northcote City.

After a spiteful first half, the Cannons scored a 10-minute double salvo in the second half.

First, Cameron Watson set up Bill Damianos for an easy finish before star striker Jerry Karpeh pounced on a defensive error to double the lead.

But City was not ready to give in, with leading scorer Trent Rixon pouncing on a loose ball inside the area to peg one back.

Despite a couple of late chances, City could not find an equalizer and the Cannons held on for a deserved win.

DANDENONG registered a surprise 1-0 win at home to a wasteful Hume City.

The winner came after striker Ibraim Ibraimi easily finished a cut back from new Thunder recruit Geoff Kellaway.

Ladder (after 13 rounds)

1 - Oakleigh Cannons                   +10     27 pts

2 - Richmond*                                 +7        25 pts

3 - Hume City                                   +5        21 pts

4 - Bentleigh Greens**                   -3         15 pts

5 - Sunshine George Cross          -10      15 pts

 

6 - Northcote City*                           +3        14 pts

7 - Green Gully                                -2         14 pts

8 - South Melbourne**                   +8        13 pts

9 - Dandenong Thunder               -9         12 pts

10 - Heidelberg United*                 -4         11 pts

 

11 - Altona Magic*                          -1         10 pts

12 - Melbourne Knights                 -4         9 pts

*denotes one game in hang

**denotes two games in hand

 

Goals

8 - Jerry Karpeh (Oakleigh Cannons), Trent Rixon (Northcote City)

7 - Fernando De Moraes (South Melbourne), Daniel Visevic (Richmond), Kevin Townson (Melbourne Knights)

6 - Michael Curcija (Oakleigh Cannons), Jesse Krncevic (Richmond)

5 - Gianni De Nittis (South Melbourne), Damir Lokvancic (Bentleigh Greens), Richard Cardozo (Hume City), Osagie Ederaro (Heidelberg United), Jean-Charles Dubois (Melbourne Knights), Koce Delev (Altona Magic), Saso Alexovski (Heidelberg United)