South Springvale’s Chris Palatsides slides under team-mate Alex Akrivopoulos and Comets’ Dominic Branca. 65215
By Gavin Staindl
THE Southern Stars are the new Division One leaders after a 2-0 win over the Western Suburbs at Ralph Reserve.
While the Western Suburbs were rocked with departures last week, the Stars continued to build on their good form, extending their unbeaten stretch to seven games to move a point clear of second position and eight points clear of third.
After a tight start, the Stars secured a penalty after Alan Kearney’s shot at goal was stopped by the hand of a Suburbs defender.
One red card and one converted penalty later, the Stars found themselves 1-0 up.
The Suburbs didn’t fall away, however, and pressed the league leaders for most of the second half.
But when the Stars’ Velibor Mitrovic scored in the 70th minute, the ragged Suburbs had little left to give.
Three wins from four matches has elevated Division Two side South Springvale to within two games of first place.
South Springvale’s 3-1 home win over Casey Comets on Saturday was made even more impressive after South Springvale lost midfielder Craig Metcalf to a shoulder injury while trailing by a goal.
Noble Park joined South Springvale on the winners’ list with a 3-1 win over Knox City at Parkfield Reserve, while Dandenong City suffered a 2-1 loss to Box Hill at Wembley Park.
Heatherton United put a halt to its run of losses with a scoreless draw against Diamond Valley at Partington Flats.
