By Julian Buckeridge

Northcote City recorded its second successive 1-0 victory, defeating Port Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve on Wednesday night.

Kristian Konstantinidis' early header proved the difference for Northcote, which withstood a late flurry of chances from the home side to earn all three points.

Both sides were buoyed by their first wins of the season last week and Port Melbourne threatened immediately from kick-off as Kamal Ibrahim broke into the box and tested ‘keeper Chris Theodoridis.

The visitors responded, and had the lead six minutes later when Konstantinidis climbed to meet Liam Wooding's corner at the far post with a firm header that pierced the back of the net.

Northcote denied the hosts time and space on the ball, and Wooding almost made it 2-0 on 19 minutes when his whipped free-kick crashed off the crossbar.

Kevin Braniff looked to have found an equaliser for the Sharks in the 31st minute when he was played through by Ibrahim and coolly slotted home, only to be ruled offside.

Despite this opportunity, Northcote seemed the more likely to score as the half closed out.

Port Melbourne looked to regroup at the break and sent on Alessandro Venezia to replace Viola.

It had an immediate effect as the hosts created the first chance of the second half, with Milicevic's 50th minute free-kick forcing Theodoridis to make a diving save.

The second half proved a more entertaining and intense affair as both sides searched for an advantage.

Northcote had two glorious chances in quick succession to double their lead, as a goalmouth scramble in the 58th minute saw the ball stopped on the line by Hrehoresin, before the visitors were again thwarted by the woodwork in the 64th minute.

Introduced midway through the second half, Wade Dekker was firmly in the action in the 77th minute but he was denied by a tremendous save from the Port Melbourne goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Braniff passed up a great opportunity at the other end, firing high-and-wide after he was played through behind the Northcote defence.

The Sharks continued to press in the dying minutes and bombarded the penalty box with free-kicks and corners but Northcote held firm to take all three points.

Port Melbourne boss Eric Vassiliadis was understandably frustrated at how the evening panned out for his side.

"Ultimately, the inexperience of a young side cost us from a set play in the first half and that was the difference. And at this point in the season, at this point in our development, it's moments that cost us," Vassiliadis said.

"It gives me some consolation that we finished on a positive. Nonetheless, if we're serious about what we want to achieve, we've got to play more than 45 minutes of football."

Northcote City manager Goran Lozanovski was delighted with his team's performance.

"To back up a victory from last week to a short turnaround and get six points in two games - we're ecstatic," Lozanovski said.

"Losing three in a row at the start was challenging for our group, and having 10 new faces in the team...it's a good building process for us.”

MATCH DETAILS

Port Melbourne Sharks 0 lost to Northcote City 1 (Konstantinidis 6') at JL Murphy Reserve [HT: 0-1]

Port Melbourne Sharks: Adam HREHORESIN (GK), 4. John LAZARIDIS, 2. Andrew VIOLA (8. Alessandro VENEZIA 46'), 6. Chris GROSSMAN, 5. Nick TZOULIS, 27. Andrew MILICEVIC, 11. Nicholas KROUSOURATIS, 14. Kamal IBRAHIM (Lisandro PAZ 82'), 26. Labros HONOS (10. Luka PRELEVIC 66'), 3. James RICCOBENE, 9. Kevin BRANIFF

Unused Subs: 15. Stefan NIGRO, 21. Alexander CONNELL (GK)

Yellow Cards: BRANIFF (24')

Red Cards: None

Northcote City: 22. Chris THEODORIDIS (GK), 21. Ersin KAYA (12. Steve SIFINOS, 90+1'), 2. Adrian CHIAPPETTA, 23. Jonathan BOUNAS (10. Marino GASPARIS, 73'), 14. Michael CATALANO, 16. Greg LOMBARDO, 9. Trent RIXON (15. Wade DEKKER, 62'), 3. Tremayne SADLER, 11. Liam WOODING, 4. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, 8. James KALIFATIDIS

Unused Subs: 1. Luke GAVALAS, 6. Benjudah FITZPATRICK 

Yellow Cards: 23. Jonathan BOUNAS (66'), 11. Liam WOODING (71')

Red Cards: None

Image credit: Graeme Furlong