By Matthew McNamara

South Melbourne remains the only NPL team to have gained maximum points from its opening four games after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hume City today.

Nick Epifano scored a brace while Milos Lujic rounded off the day for South with a goal of his own.

This game was highly anticipated by both sets of fans and the match struggled to live up to expectations in the opening period as both teams cautiously cancelled each other out.

The best chance of the opening period fell to Hume City. Striker Richie Cardozo’s bending free kick beat Jason Saldaris but his strike smashed off the upright, much to the dismay of the home team’s faithful supporters.

As the teams re-emerged after the break it was clear that attack was the word of the day.

Referee Perry Mur dismissed penalty claims for both sides, firstly denying South Melbourne after Lujic appeared to be bought down, and secondly Hume City captain Nick Hegarty who appeared to have his shirt pulled in the area.

Epifano didn't need to worry about scoring from the penalty spot however, as he cleverly linked up with James Musa who had ventured forward and slotted home, leaving Hume keeper' Chris Oldfield stranded.

Young gun Epifano wasn't done there, minutes later doubling his tally and pushing South out to a 2-0 lead as he buried a low drive which Oldfield couldn't deny.

With Hume bringing on Ali Turgut and Devon Bonne in advanced positions up the park, it was clear it was going to throw everything forward in search for an equaliser.

In doing so it left it vulnerable at the back and Lujic took full advantage of a defensive error to punish the home side and ensure the team from Lakeside Stadium returned home with all three points.

A happy coach Chris Taylor was pleased with his team’s performance.

"Most teams on their day can beat most other teams. The way the Premier League is it's always going to be tough and tight,” Taylor said.

“We knew in the end that we would be able to play and open them up and it was just a case of not letting them score so we don't have to play from behind."

Hume City coach Louie Acevski was visibly disappointed with the result.

"We just weren't good enough today. It's as simple as that,” Acevski said.

“You can't give teams like South Melbourne opportunities like we did today as you'll get punished. Simple as that.”

MATCH DETAILS

Hume City 0 lost to South Melbourne 3 (Epifano 60’ 75’, Lujic 78’) at Broadmeadows Valley Park [HT: 0-0]

Substitution times for Hume City to follow...

Hume City: Chris Oldfield (GK), Izzy Erdogan, Shane Rexhepi , Petar  Franjic, Aaron Turner, Joseph Franjic (Kaan Korkmaz), Nick Hegarty (c), Richie Cardozo, Jose Guerrero, Kliment Taseski (Ali Turgut), Nick Marinos (Devon Bonne)

Unused substitutes: Evan Alexandrow-Ridley (GK), Matthew Hennessey

Cautions: Nil

South Melbourne: Jason Saldaris (GK), James Musa, Michael Eagar (c), Brad Norton, Tim Mala, Mathew Theodore (Kobbie Boahene 87’), Nick Epifano (Leigh Minopoulos 78’), Jamie Reed, Milos Lujic, Tyson Holmes, Iqbal Jawadi (Andrew Mullett 89’)

Unused substitutes: Chris Maynard (GK), Dimi Tsiaras

Cautions: Nil

Image credit: South Melbourne FC