On the attack: Essendon Royals captain Jayden Blanco drives forward with the ball. Picture: Marco De Luca
A WEEKEND win against Yarraville has Avondale Heights ideally poised to take on a tough fortnight of games that could shape the top of FFV state league 3 north-west.
The 2-1 win from a goal down against Yarraville kept the Heights second on the table with 12points, heading into matches against third-placed Sydenham Park (10) followed by ladder leaders Sporting Whittlesea (13) the week after.
Yarraville took the lead about 20 minutes into the match but the Heights were in front by half-time thanks to goals from Daniel Cicivelli and Martin Hana.
Goalkeeper Jim Wibskov kept things organised in the second half while strong performances from former NSL regular Dragi Nastevski and Zoran Pajic kept Yarraville's chase for an equaliser to half chances.
Heights coach Anthony Barbieri said the winning start to the season had created a good atmosphere around the club.
"It's a good squad with no one dominant player in there and a wealth of experience," he said.
"Every game is going to have its challenges ... the players understand the standard of this league has gone up from last year."
In provisional 1 NW, Essendon United seized top spot in the league by hammering promotion rival Geelong Rangers 6-0.
Home-ground advantage counted for nothing for the Rangers as United raced to a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Essendon United's 13 points leads the league from Geelong Rangers and Lalor United, both on 10.
FC Strathmore suffered a 7-1 loss against Moreland United and dropped to seventh on the table (seven points) as a result.
In provisional 2 NW, Essendon Royals' winning streak is up to three games and the team up to fourth on the table after beating Upfield 3-2.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the Royals' game.
The Royals trailed 2-1 at half-time but Stefan Mungerhli's two goals and one to Aydin Sirin meant victory for the home team at Ormond Park.
Essendon's nine points trials third-placed Elwood City by four goals difference and second-placed Hoppers Crossing (12) by three points.
In provisional 3 NW, Melbourne Tornado has opened a three-point gap between itself in the promotion places and the chasing pack after a 2-1 win away at Meadow Park.
Tornado is second with 13 points behind ladder leader Darebin United (15) while third-placed Heidelberg Stars and fourth-placed Bundoora United are on 10 points each.
Denny Pincic and Daniel Tonc were the scorers for Tornado against Meadow Park.