South Melbourne FC

The Blue and White Forever

South in seventh heaven after belting North Geelong

South in seventh heaven after belting North Geelong

A sensational second half performance has seen South Melbourne run away with a commanding 7-1 victory over North Geelong Warriors at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night.

South scored six goals after the break, with Leigh Minopoulos (two), Andy Brennan, Andy Kecojevic, Chris Irwin and Iqi Jawadi all netting after half-time to give South the perfect response to last weekend’s loss to Oakleigh Cannons.

South’ Nick Epifano gave the home side the perfect start when his shot took a wicked deflection off Warriors defender Michael Grgic, and trickled into the back of the net in just the third minute of play.

Despite missing stars Milos Lujic and Michael Eagar through suspension, South looked comfortable on the ball and were dominant in the game from the outset. Teenage defender Thomas Lakic made a promising debut for the club, proving he may be another shrewd Chris Taylor acquisition after joining South on deadline day.

Nikola Roganovic made a smart save to deny North Geelong’s Yusuf Yusuf after half an hour, however the 1-0 halftime score-line flattered the Warriors, given South’s dominance in possession.

Not long after the break, Leigh Minopoulos capitalised on a rare berth in the starting line-up when he finished neatly from Nick Epifano’s cross.

Minutes later, South had a third when Andy Brennan drove home from the edge of the box after he was played through by Epifano.

Substitute Andy Kecojevic scored straight away after coming onto the ground. The seventeen year-old lobbed the ball over the North Geelong keeper, before using a second touch to put the ball into the back of the net.

It was raining goals at the Lakeside, with North Geelong unable to halt South’s attacking play. Chris Irwin scored his first goal for the club with a sensational run and finish down the right hand side.

Leigh Minopoulos scored his second for the night in the 86th minute, giving South five goals in 40 minutes of play.

Matthew Townley converted a penalty to pull one back for the visitors, however it was merely a consolation goal.

Iqi Jawadi rounded off a tremendous night with a goal in injury time, to make the final score 7-1.

Coach Chris Tayor was pleased with how a relatively new side gelled together on the night.

“The pleasing part for me was having so many new faces out there, and putting in a good performance.

“It’s a massive disruption when you lose four players from the week before.

“I thought the four at the back acquitted themselves well, Tom Lakic had outstanding game at full-back for his debut.

“I’ve said all along we’ve got a great dressing room here, the boys really believe in themselves, tonight was just a question of whether we’d adapt to the changes and we did.”

FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 7-1 NORTH GEELONG (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Michael Grgic OG (3’)
2-0: Leigh Minopoulos (52’)
3-0: Andy Brennan (58’)
4-0: Andy Kecojevic (62’)
5-0: Chris Irwin (77’)
6-0: Leigh Minopoulos (86’)
6-1: Matthew Townley (88’p)
7-1: Iqi Jawadi (90+2′)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 6. Tom LAKIC, 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Mathew THEODORE (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 60′), 11. Brad NORTON (C), 12. Iqi JAWADI, 17. Andy BRENNAN (14. Chris IRWIN 59′), 21. Jake BARKER-DAISH (20. Nick MORTON 72′), 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS.

Unused Substitutes: 19. Massimo PESCE, 22. Fraser MacLAREN (GK).

North Geelong Warriors:
1. Daniel ZILIC (GK), 2. Darren LEWIS, 3. Matthew TOWNLEY, 7. Ridvan SAGLAM (14. Gareth RICHARDS 59’), 8. Vito CICHELLO, 10. Yusuf YUSUF, 11. Juso JULARDZUA, 16. Michael GRGIC (6. Josh PUGH 80’), 17. Nicholas JURCIC, 18. Stipe TRBUHOVIC (7. Reardo LUKA 80’), 23. Michael ANDERSON.

Unused Substitutes: 5. Anthony BANOVAC, 31. Hamish FLAVELL.

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Nick Epifano
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Friday 29 May 2015

Privacy Preference Center