Soccer: Coveny on scoreboard for new NSL leaders

By TERRY MADDAFORD

All Whites striker Vaughan Coveny played a big part as South Melbourne leapfrogged to the Christmas lead in the Australian National Soccer League with a 3-0 away win over Sydney Olympic.

Coveny scored the second goal as the visitors took a 2-0 lead at halftime in the key match of the 11th round.

Earlier, Andy Vlahos had netted his seventh of the season to give Souths the lead in the 28th minute. Zeljko Susa completed the rout 12 minutes from time.

The new leaders face a tougher test this week, however, with a home game on Saturday night against Sydney Olympic, who drew 2-2 at home to Wollongong Wolves.

Wollongong, preparing for next month's Oceania club championship in Papua New Guinea, needed a late goal from last season's NSL player of the year, Scott Chipperfield, to snatch a point after Stuart Young had given Wolves the lead in the 22nd minute.

Olympic fought back with goals from defenders Scott Baillie and Paul Kohler to lead 2-1 after 70 minutes.

Perth Glory slipped off the pace after losing 0-1 at home to middle-of-the-table Marconi.

Bottom-placed Eastern Pride upset Canberra Cosmos 3-1 after leading 3-0 with a minute to play. English import Neville Roach scored twice for Pride.

Adelaide City Force continued their charge with a 3-2 home win over the Melbourne Knights. Veteran Aurelio Vidmar and Scott Tunbridge gave the home side a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes.

Andrew Marth pulled one back before halftime with a penalty and Joel Porter grabbed the equaliser in the 75th minute before Lucas Pantelis slotted the winner six minutes from time.

The Football Kingz were left to reflect on their disappointing effort in going down 0-1 to Parramatta Power at Ericsson Stadium. That victory lifted the Sydney side into the top six, but left the Kingz languishing in 12th place, eight points out of the top six.

They are away to Canberra on Saturday night.