By Shaun Moran (@moranshaun)

Bentleigh Greens has picked up its first National Premier Leagues (NPL) win in tremendous fashion after knocking off Northcote City 3-2 at John Cain Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.

After losing the 2013 Victorian Premier League Grand Final in extra time to Northcote, Bentleigh wasted no time in making amends, netting within 30 seconds.

David Stirton’s scurrying run down the left wing culminated in a cross to an unmarked Anthony Proia, who knocked the ball into the open goal.

It didn’t take long for John Anastasiadis’s side to notch up a second via a Jamie De Abreu header.

He rose high above everybody else to head home a Christian Cavallo corner, much to the scorn of the home contingent.

Northcote did crucially hit back before half time through Jonathon Munoz. Wade Dekker’s initial strike was saved by Stuart Webster, but he could only direct the ball to Jonathon Munoz who made no mistake slotting the ball home.

The comeback was complete on the hour mark when Marino Gasparis drifted in a long ball from the left to the ever dangerous Wade Dekker. The youngster connected well with a strong header to equalise.

Anastasiadis’s charges did get themselves back in front partly thanks to a Chris Theodoridis howler.

Luc Jeggo’s blast from around 20 yards wasn’t dealt with satisfactorily by the ‘keeper, allowing Bentleigh back into the lead.

Northcote responded well after conceding the opener and almost found an equaliser minutes on.

Cavallo’s backwards header wrong-footed his goalkeeper who had to scramble back to clear his lines.

The end-to-end football continued in the early exchanges and it was the visitors who almost capitalised on a Munoz fluff to double their advantage.

Proia’s sideways pass to De Abreu should have seen the latter net from close range, but brave goalkeeping from Theodoridis, whose flailing left foot kept the ball out, prevented it.

Gasparis fired a fierce strike from inside the D, which the Bentleigh custodian parried away before the halftime whistle.

Gasparis, Liam Wooding and James Kalifatidis all tried their luck from range in the second period, but they proved to be in vain as the 2013 VPL runner-up held on for its first win of the season.

Northcote coach Goran Lozanovski lamented his side’s capitulation at the back, after having conceded six goals in two matches.

“It was disappointing to give away three goals,” Lozanovski said.

“The biggest challenge in any coach’s job is to keep a clean sheet, but having given away three goals in each of your first two games, it’s hard for a coach to swallow.”

Bentleigh boss John Anastasiadis reflected carefully on his team’s showing and insisted that there was still room for improvement.

“I’m happy with the three points,” Anastasiadis said.

“The performance wasn’t up to scratch. We can play better. I think what was pleasing was our battles which were good. A lot of boys put their bodies on the line.

“But our game is a passing game and we certainly didn’t do that. We have to find a way to play out of that.”

The Greens return home to host Pascoe Vale on Friday night while Northcote will host Ballarat Red Devils on Saturday afternoon.

MATCH DETAILS

Northcote City 2 (Munoz 33’, Dekker 61’) lost to Bentleigh Greens 3 (Proia 1’, De Abreu 23’, Jeggo 70’) at John Cain Memorial Park (HT: 1-2)

Northcote City: 1. Chris THEODORIDIS (GK), 2. Adrian CHIAPPETTA, 5. Philip PETRESKI, 6. Benjudah FITZPATRICK, 7. Jonathon MUNOZ (8. James KALIFATIDIS 48’), 10. Marino GASPARIS (16. Greg LOMBARDO 82’), 11. Liam WOODING, 14. Michael CATALANO, 15. Wade DEKKER (20. Evan KOUNAVELIS 75’), 21. Ersin KAYA, 23. Jonathon BOUNAS.

Unused subs: 1. Luke GAVALAS (GK), 12. Steve SIFINOS.

Yellow Card: Bounas (90’+2)

Bentleigh Greens: 1. Stuart WEBSTER (GK), 2. Thomas MATTHEWS, 3. James CUMMING, 5. Jack WEBSTER, 15. Christian CAVALLO, 17. Luc JEGGO (13. Lewis FOSTER 90’+1) 77. Steve HATZIKOSTAS, 14. Anthony PROIA (19. Liam MCCORMICK 67’), Jamie DE ABREU, Brent MCGRATH, David STIRTON.

Unused subs: 21. Alastair BRAY (GK), 16. Luke GALLA, 22. Nicholas MODAFFARI.

Yellow Card: McCormick (90’+2)

Picture: Mark Avellino