Avondale FC vs Port Melbourne

Avondale continued their strong start to the season with their second-straight win, defeating Port Melbourne 1-0 at Avenger Park on Saturday.

After a dominant 4-1 win in week one, the Avengers found the going tougher against a resilient Sharks side.

The game got off to a tight start with both teams struggling to establish control while genuine scoring chances were few and far between.

Tatsuku Sekiya and Steffan Zinni came closest for Avondale in the first half. Sekiya’s header flashed wide, while Zinni’s headed effort looked destined to nestle in the top corner, but was tipped over the bar by a leaping Sharks keeper.

The match began to open up after the break, with chances beginning to flow at both ends of the pitch. Sekiya, Zinni and Stefan Valentini all came close for the Avengers, but the home side still couldn’t break the deadlock.

The biggest moment of the game game in the 82nd minute when a lunging slide tackle brought Zinni down in the penalty area. 

It looked like the defender won the ball, but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Liam Bolland stepped up and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way and tucking the ball home to give the Avengers the lead.

Avondale’s defence endured a frantic 10 minutes as Port Melbourne went all-out in search of an equaliser. 

The Sharks come painstakingly close, a deflected shot looped over keeper Chris Oldfield but bounced off the top of the crossbar. 

But the Avengers held firm, holding Port Melbourne at bay and securing the clean sheet and 1-0 victory.

Avondale’s next game is against Kingston City this Saturday at 3:15 at Avenger Park.

Article by Bransen Gibson

Quality all over the pitch sees strength in depth.

After the clubs successfull exploits in 2018 the coaching staff led by Zoran Markovski have stressed the importance in depth
if we are to be again amongst the front runners in 2019.

After the most successful season in the clubs history in 2018, alot of planning and preperation has been done in the build up
to the 2019 NPL Season. The club has made changes in order to compete again in all competitions in what looks to be another
competitive season with other clubs strengthening across the league.

On the coaching front Zoran Markovski took over as Senior coach after spending the last 2 years as Senior Assistant.
He brought in Jeff Fleming as assistant coach after Fleming hung up the boots on an illustrious career which ended after 4 years
in the heart of the Avengers midfield. Andy Vargas also joins as Senior Assistant bringing a wealth of experience with him and Rob Bryan continues on as GK coach.

Markovski and the coaching group went about replacing 7 players from last years squad by bringing in a blend of youth, creativity, speed
and defensive strength to ensure we have depth on all lines of the park.
Departing players from 2018 were: Kaine Sheppard (Newcastle Jets), Elvis Kamsoba (Melb Victory), Jeff Fleming (Retired),
Anthony Strano (Brimbank Stallions), Ross Archibald (Altona Magic), Rama Tavsancioglou & Evan Christodolou.

Whilst the squad has lost experience, the coaching group are confident the new signings have strengthened the squads depth
and will take the team to another level in 2019 and beyond.

The first of the signings were the youthful duo of Jye Spiteri and Yusuf Ahmed who have both spent time in the A-League youth system.
Jye is an up and coming centreback who will make great strides in learning his trade playing Senior football at this level where Yusuf
will provide attacking flare from the wing and look to beat opponents to set up chances for the front line.

Scott Hilliar has signed from Team Wellington where he recently played at the club world cup and boasts some impressive qualities to cover
our defensive departures. Mathew Reid and Charle Beverly were also signed by the club to provide depth at the back. Reid joined from Moreland City
after winning their best and fairest in 2018 and is hungry to earn his place at the NPL Level. Charles Beverly unfortunantly suffered a knee injury
in just our 3rd pre-season friendly in Jan and will be sidelined for 3-4 months and will be an option to bring in during the mid season transfer window.

Brandon Lundy and Stefan Valentini will both provide pace and power going forward after impressing in the pre-season. Lundy joined from
NSW side Apia Leichhardt whilst Valentini returns to Australia from a spell at German side TuS Erndtebrück after growing up in Perth.
Keenan Gibson is another rising prospect which will bolster our midfield, signed from NSW side Rydalmere Lions after leaving Northcote City to pursue further opportunities.

Finally our Japanese play maker Tasuku Sekiya is already lighting up the pre-season as he starts to form partnerships with Jonatan Germano and Yitay Towns in Midfield.
Signing from Apia Leichardt, Sekiya will provide the killer pass for Boland and Katebian to continue their scoring exploits from last season.

These new additions along with the return of Dillon Jakupi who spent the 2nd half of 2018 recovering from a knee injury will form a formidable squad. The more the team play together, the better the understanding between new and old will become.

With plans and permits in the process of being approved for continued works at Avenger Park is threatens to be another exciting season for the boys in blue.

We look forward to seeing everyone down at Avenger Park for our First home Game on Saturday Feb 23rd.

#BackWithAvengence #AvondaleFC

Avondale kicked off their 2019 campaign with a bang, thumping NPL newcomers Dandenong City 4-1 on Friday night.

Two goals from co-captain Liam Boland and one each from Tasuku Sekiya and Stefan Zinni proved to be more than enough to overcome City in their first-ever match in the NPL’s top flight.

New recruit Sekiya was thoroughly impressive in his debut, dazzling with his slick footwork and netting a superb curling free kick to open the scoring, earning the Avengers a 1-0 lead at the break.

After a cagey start, the second half exploded into life during an incredible 17-minute period that saw four goals and a red card.

Boland’s leaping header doubled the away side’s advantage, but a City goal on a deflected shot four minutes later brought the game right back into play.

Things got feisty after a nasty off-the-ball incident, which saw City player shown a deserved red card for what looked like a thrown elbow.

The sending off was the beginning of the end for City, the Avengers soon took a firm grip on the game and quickly made the man advantage count on the scoreboard.

Boland’s second goal after a goalkeeper mistake and Zinni’s powerful strike confirmed Avondale’s domination and put the game to bed.

Avondale play Port Melbourne this Saturday at 3:15pm in our first home game of the season.

Article by Bransen Gibson

Zoran Markovski will take over as Senior Head Coach next season.

Continue reading “2019 Senior Coaching Staff Confirmed” →