Another Milos Lujic winner has given South Melbourne a 2-1 victory over Northcote City in a pulsating contest at John Cain Memorial Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Lujic’s goal, along with Mathew Theodore’s opener, gave South a memorable victory in one of the most exciting games of the PS4 NPL season thus far.
In basking sunshine, each side were a little slow to get going in a cautious opening. South had the first chance of the match when Brad Norton made a typically adventurous run down the left and crossed for Lujic, who could only direct his header into the side netting from a difficult angle.
Moments later Northcote had a chance when Anthony Ramzy sped away from the South defence, but his shot from a good position was directed straight at Nikola Roganovic.
The game really came alive when Theodore vindicated his return to the starting line-up with a goal in the 25th minute. Andy Brennan’s cross was blocked by a Northcote defender straight into the path of Theodore, who finished neatly for his first league goal since July 2014.
South’s celebrations were short lived, however, as Northcote’s James Kalifatidis netted a short time later following an excellent cross from the impressive Anthony Ramzy.
A few minutes later, the hosts were nearly ahead when Evan Konavelis’ volley hit the post and bounced out.
Then sides went into the break level at 1-1, before an already entertaining game exploded into life in the second half.
South had Tim Mala to thank after the defender made an incredible diving stop to prevent Kalifatidis only moments after restart. A low cross from Ramzy found Kalifatidis at point blank range, and the striker looked a certainty to score before Mala lunged in and blocking the striker’s shot, with the ball eventually looping onto the roof of the net for a corner.
A short time later Jordan Wilkes put a free header wide from a Northcote corner.
An injury to the goal scorer Mathew Theodore saw David Stirton come on as his replacement, but despite the loss, South began to look more dangerous in the front third.
A vicious volley from Andy Brennan was deflected over the line for a corner, while Dane Milovanovic had several attempts from free-kicks just outside the area.
In the 70th minute, Lujic was denied from point blank range by Northcote goalkeeper Chris Theodoridis, after a great cross from his partner in crime Brennan.
The big striker always seems to find a way to goal, however, and seconds later he found the back of the net from with a well-timed header from Iqi Jawadi’s cross, sending the large contingent of South fans at the ground into raptures.
A total of six minutes of stoppage time were played, in which Nikola Roganovic was forced into a fantastic diving save from a Northcote free-kick.
Match-winer Lujic was was very happy to have gotten the points in a clash he described as “extremely tough”.
“The pitch made life so difficult for us out there.
“For the boys to grind out a win, we’re really happy.”
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 2-1 Northcote City (HT: 1-1)
Goal Scorers:
1-0 Mathew Theodore (25’)
1-1 James Kalifatidis (32’)
2-1: Milos Lujic (72′)
Northcote City: 22. Chris THEODORIDIS, 4. Jacob ELIOPOULOS, 19. Ryan GO, 5. Greg LOMBARDO, 12. Jordan WILKES, 20. Nicholas KOKOLAKIS (16. Todd DEKKER 84’), 10. Marino GASPARIS, 14. Anthony RAMZY (9. Calvin MBARGA 61’), 8. James KALIFATIDIS, 23. Jonathan BOUNAS (3. Mitch BISSINGER 73’), 11. Evan KOUNAVELIS
Unused substitutes: 1. Mason INTERLANDI, 2. Hayden D’AGOSTINO
Yellow card(s): Lombardo 15’
Red card(s): None
South Melbourne: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR, 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Matthew THEODORE(10. David STIRTON 52’), 9. Milos LUJIC (23. Andy KEJOCEVIC 90+2’), 11. Bradley NORTON, 12. Iqbal JAWADI, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 17. Andy BRENNAN (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 88’)
Unused substitutes: 6. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 21. Jake BARKER DAISH
SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Milos Lujic
Venue: John Cain Memorial Reserve
Date: Saturday 18th May 2015