ASTROS EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK TO 7…….Melo hits two in 4-0 victory

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North York Astros extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with a resounding 4-0 victory over Burlington SC, Toronto Croatia defeated Niagara United 3-1 and Serbian White Eagles came from a 1-0 deficit to score an equalizer in the second half for a 1-1 tie with Brampton City Utd, three games in the CSL Saturday night.

The in-form Astros continued to impress with two quick goals shortly following kickoff at Downsview Park in North York, a relocation from their home ground Esther Shiner which is under repair following recent water damage to the playing surface.

Midfielder Jose Melo struck at the 8 minute mark, heading in from a right wing cross and this was followed by a second goal for the home side just two minutes later, scored by Igor Pisanjuk. It was 2-0 at half time.

North York defender Antoine Paul increased the lead to 3-0 at 49 minutes, taking the ball up the left side to beat Burlington goalkeeper Vladimir Vujasinovic and Melo scored a second goal at 79 minutes for a 4-0 score at the final whistle.

The goals were Melo’s 7th and 8th of the season and the Astros’ win completed a double for the Toronto team following a 3-0 victory over Burlington at Nelson Stadium on Tuesday.

The Astros take over third place in the First Division standings with a 5-3-3WLT record for 18 points behind York Region Shooters and Toronto Croatia,  while Burlington slip to fourth with a 5-6-1 record for 16 points.

Toronto Croatia are also gaining strength following their shaky start to the season and it was Pero Menalo who opened the scoring against Niagara United at the 8 minute in the game played at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. This was followed by a goal from defender Josip Keran who scored from the penalty spot at 23 minutes, 2-0 at the break.

Menalo scored a second goal, beating Niagara goalkeeper Matthew Greco at 57 minutes for a 3-0 lead in favour of the home side, but Niagara struck back with a goal by Sandro Rajkovic for a 3-1 final score.

Toronto Croatia improve to 6-3-2 for 20 points, six points behind the league leaders York Region Shooters.

Midfielder Jhon Fatoki put Brampton City Utd into the lead with an opening goal at 36 minutes against Serbian White Eagles at Lamport Stadium in Toronto’s west-end for a 1-0 score at half-time.

It was a close encounter into the second half, but Serbian Eagles tied the game five minutes after the interval on a goal by midfielder Timotej Zakrajsek who collected a cross from the left to drive the ball into the net from 16 yards for a 1-1 tie. There was no further scoring to the final whistle.

Brampton played the last 25 minutes short handed after midfielder Francisco Javier Juarez was ejected after receiving a second yellow card.

Brampton City Utd  have a 4-5-3 record for 15 points in sixth position in the standings, while Serbian White Eagles have a 4-4-2 record for 14 points in seventh position.

There were two games in the CSL Second Division Saturday, SC Waterloo B and York Region Shooters B played to a 1-1 draw, while Toronto Croatia B defeated Niagara United B, 4-3.

Remaining games this weekend:

 FIRST DIVISION

Sun August 17 Warrior Field 7 pm SC Waterloo vs York Region Shooters

SECOND DIVISION

Sun August 17 Eglinton Flats 4 pm Serbian White Eagles B vs Brampton City Utd B

Sun August 17 Nelson Stadium 1:30pm Burlington SC B vs Milton SC