The Knights moved out of negative points with the 3-1 win but remain in the relegation zone.

It did not start well for the home side as Richmond striker Daniel Visevic made it five goals from as many games with a classy finish for the opener.

But the Knights answered with Jean Dubois powering home a header after 12 minutes.

The teams went into the break on level terms but a double from Kevin Townson would see the Knights record their first win.

A superb assist from Tomislav Ples proved fruitful with 20 minutes to play as Townson found himself free at the back post.

He was put through one-on-one late in the game and he finished coolly to seal the points.

Hume City continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 3-2 home win over Sunshine George Cross.

The two teams went into the break scoreless despite the Georgies having the better of the first half.

But Richard Cardozo opened the scoring just after half time with a superb strike from outside the area.

A quick fire double 15 minutes later would prove to be enough for City.

First, Zoran Petrevski scored in the 65th minute before Cardozo put away his second two minutes later.

The travelling side pegged two goals back courtesy of headers from Stuart Nicholson and George Papadopoulos but succumbed to a second consecutive defeat.

Altona Magic proved too good for a struggling Green Gully side with a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon.

The Magic opened the scoring courtesy of central defender Slave Bozinovski after nine minutes as he powered home a header from a corner with Gully keeper Ken Gerohristodoulou left stranded after coming for the ball.

The home side responded soon after when striker Gary Wales equalised in a one-on-one with Tomislav Tomich.

But two goals in as many minutes proved decisive just before the break.

First, striker Tony Saric slotted home into an open goal before Koce Delev had a ball fortuitously fall at his feet in the area.

Magic defender Mifit Bojku was sent off for a second bookable offence with 15 minutes to play.

Gully agreed to a mutual termination of coach Peter Ollerton's contract during the week with assistant Paul Harris taking the reigns for the home loss to Altona.

South Melbourne made it two wins in a row with a 2-0 win at Dandenong Thunder.

South opened the scoring after half time as midfielder Carl Recchia's shot was parried into the path of Marino Gasparis to open the scoring.

The win was sealed in stoppage time with Gianni De Nittis finding himself free at the back post to slot home the second.

In the battle between the promoted sides, Northcote came out on top with a 2-0 win over Bentleigh Greens.

A great run by 18-year-old Jonathan Voulgaris saw him give the home side the advantage after 41 minutes.

A fine through ball found Bradley Norton in the 86th minute as he made it two in a row for Northcote.

In the final game of the round, Heidelberg United held Oakleigh to a 1-1 draw at home.

Osagie Ederaro continued his fine form with the opening goal of the game and his fourth of the season.

But experienced Cannons striker Michael Curcija found the equaliser after half time to secure a point for Oakleigh.

There will be no Premier League over the Easter Weekend with action to resume on April 9.

Ladder (after five rounds)

1 - Hume City                                    +9        12 pts

2 - Oakleigh Cannons             +4        11 pts

3 - South Melbourne              +3        9 pts

4 - Richmond                         +1        9 pts

5 - Bentleigh Greens              +1        8 pts

 

6 - Northcote City                  +1        7 pts

7 - Altona Magic                    0          5 pts

8 - Sunshine George Cross     -2         5 pts

9 - Green Gully                      -3         3 pts

10 - Dandenong Thunder       -9         3 pts

 

11 - Melbourne Knights         -1         2 pts

12 - Heidelberg United          -4         -1 pt

 

Leading Goal Scorers

5 - Fernando De Moraes (South Melbourne), Daniel Visevic (Richmond)

4 - Osagie Ederaro (Heidelberg United)

3 - Trent Rixon (Northcote City), Kyle Joryeff (Sunshine George Cross), Jerry Karpeh (Oakleigh Cannons), Richard Cardozo (Hume City), Zoran Petrevski (Hume City), Jean Dubois (Melbourne Knights), Kevin Townson (Melbourne Knights), Michael Curcija (Oakleigh Cannons)