Sporting Whittlesea looks for points as promotion hopes vanish

Sporting Whittlesea’s Burak Kocac contests the ball. Picture Damian Vistini

Sporting Whittlesea’s tough run continues after it suffered its fifth straight loss in FFV state league 2 north-west.

With top two and promotion hopes now over, Sporting has turned its attention to climbing back up the ladder, to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Moreland City did not help. Michael Packovski and Nicholas Vissaris scored for Sporting, which remains in ninth position, only four points clear of bottom side Heidelberg Stars.

Hume United is up to sixth on the ladder after beating Fitzroy City.

Jagajeet Shrestha, Tarcan Kefeli and skipper Leon Osei scored for United in that 3-2 win.

Whittlesea United remains in the hunt for promotion in state league 3 north-west after its 2-1 victory against Melbourne University.

United remains in third position, but is now only three points behind ladder leaders Geelong Rangers after a 0-0 result against Upfield.

United has played one less game than the Rangers. Upfield’s win cements its fifth position.

In other results, La Trobe University defeated Darebin United 4-1, while Lalor United lost 3-0 to Western Eagles.

In state league 4 north, Bundoora United won just their second game for the season.

It was a good day for United, defeating Watsonia Heights 3-1, but they’re still stuck at the bottom of the ladder.

Ladder leaders Epping City remains undefeated after beating Brunswick Zebras 3-0, while North City Wolves defeated Plenty Valley Lions 2-1.

Mill Park’s match against West Preston was washed out.

In state league 5 north, Greenvale United‘s quest to finish on top of the ladder is well and truly alive.

With top side RMIT having the bye, United had the chance to draw equal on points and they did just that with a 4-1 win against Keon Park.

Despite the win, United remains second on the ladder, with RMIT having a 19-goal better differential.

Craigieburn City remains in fourth spot after losing to third-placed Melbourne University, 4-3, while Meadow Park defeated Heidelberg Eagles 4-1.

Meanwhile in NPL 2 west, Whittlesea Ranges’ hold at the top of the ladder remains safe despite its 2-1 loss for Moreland City on Saturday.

On a wet afternoon, the Ranges wasted opportunities in the first half, and neither team could score.

But the sun came out in the second half and Moreland City came out firing, scoring two goals.

The Ranges scored a consolation goal in the last minute.