By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)

Northcote City found form in wet conditions on a rainy Friday night in Pascoe Vale to claim its first win of the NPL.

A 1-0 win coming in the form of a Trent Rixon header in the 72nd minute saw last year’s Victorian champion put an end to its run of three consecutive defeats.

The game started slowly with opportunities limited in the early exchanges but burst into life at the 22nd-minute mark after Pascoe Vale’s Davey van’t Schip missed the game’s first real chance, with his shot flying inches wide.

Not long after James Kalifatidis found himself with Northcote’s first opportunity on goal, having his effort from distance saved by Pascoe Vale custodian Stefaan Sardelic.

Moments later Liam Wooding had a reasonable attempt on goal from the wing, but again Sardelic was able to force a convincing save and keep his sheet clean for the moment.

Northcote’s approach was starting to show and its ability to win the majority of 50-50 contests in the first half was telling.

The efforts of Northcote midfielder Jonathan Bounas proved effective, while Phillip Petreski’s labours from full-back were equally inspiring.

The second half saw Pascoe Vale enter the fray once again with arguably the best chance of the game falling to Michael Ferrante.

One-on-one with goalkeeper Chris Theodoridis, the former Melbourne Victory man was unable to beat the Northcote stopper.

Van’t Schip tried the follow-up from the rebound, but Theodoridis was equally adept at sniffing out the danger from the Dutchman.

Two crucial saves in less than five minutes apart from Sardelic should have proved as warnings for the home side deep into the second half.

But Pascoe Vale was unable to defend a cross into the box that connected to Northcote striker Rixon’s head to score the winner in the 72nd minute.

Pascoe Vale heaped on the pressure late on from Jonathan Voulgaris, who was unable to connect properly with the ball and had his 86th-minute effort skew wide of the mark.

The final minutes were nervy for Northcote, given its tendency to leak goals so far this season, but Pascoe Vale’s last chance on goal was put wide by Round 3 goalscorer Joseph Youssef.

Pascoe Vale boss Vitale Ferrante was pleased with his side’s performance, in terms of chances created, but felt the lack of a cutting edge was a real issue.

“We had positive momentum. We created five goalscoring opportunities, didn’t go in. [Northcote City] got theirs and put it away. That’s football,” Ferrante said.

“I’m happy about what we’re doing. We’re creating great opportunities against good teams, we just got to keep doing it.

“Eventually, you can’t keep missing from under the crossbar.”

Northcote City coach Goran Lozanovski was happy to collect his side’s first win of the season, and welcomed the return of championship defender Kristian Konstantinidis.

“It was pleasing. A bit of luck, a bit of fortune went our way tonight in defensive areas. And we probably had some other opportunities to score more goals,” Lozanovski said.

“[Konstantinidis] is a part of our championship team and for the last three weeks we missed him dearly.

“Having him back in the right-back role was a big influence, for a guy that’s come off the plane Monday and playing a game tonight he’s been fantastic.”

Northcote City will visit Port Melbourne in Round 5 on Wednesday night, while Pascoe Vale hosts Heidelberg United on Thursday night.

Match Details

Pascoe Vale 0 lost to Northcote City 1 (Rixon 72') at Hosken Reserve [HT: 0-0]

Pascoe Vale: 1. Stefaan Sardelic, 2. Adrian Talarico, 3. Nathan Megic, 4. Tomislav Milardovic, 8. Joseph Youssef, 10. Davey van’t Schip (7. Luca Santilli, 68’), 14. Alvaro Carrillo, 15. Mark Pistininzi (11. Jonathan Voulgaris, 75’), 20. Alistair Dunlop, 21. Michael Ferrante, 22. Carl Recchia (16. Marco Santilli, 65’).

Unused Sub(s): 6. Roberto Di Vito, 25. Yaren Sozer

Yellow Card(s): 3. Nathan Megic 27’, 4. Tomislav Milardovic 80’

Red Card(s): Nil

Northcote City: 22. Chris Theodoridis, 21. Ersin Kaya (12. Steve Sifinos, 85’), 16. Greg Lombardo, 23. Jonathan Bounas (6. Benjudah Fitzpatrick, 90+1), 14. Michael Catalano (10. Marino Gasparis, 71’), 2. Adrian Chiappetta, 5. Phillip Petreski, 8. James Kalifatidis, 11. Liam Wooding, 4. Kristian Konstantinidis, 9. Trent Rixon

Unused Sub(s): 1. Luke Gavalas, 3. Tremayne Sadler

Yellow Card(s): 11. Liam Wooding 76’, 9. Trent Rixon 81’, 8. James Kalifatidis 80’

Red Card(s): Nil