South Melbourne FC

The Blue and White Forever

South suffer first defeat of 2015 as Oakleigh spoil unbeaten run

South suffer first defeat of 2015 as Oakleigh spoil unbeaten run

South Melbourne has suffered its first defeat in 2015 after going down 2-0 to Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night.

The result was further soured by the losses of Dane Milovanovic, to a serious knee injury, and Captain Michael Eagar, who received a red card in the dying minutes.

The result ends South’s extraordinary unbeaten run in the league, which was at 19 games before the night.

In front of a crowd which was predominantly made up of South supporters, Lambros Honos, who finished superbly in the 25th minute to gave Oakleigh an early lead.

A short time later, Nick Epifano squandered a great chance after a tremendous solo run.

Just on the half hour mark, South was rocked when star midfielder Dane Milovanovic went down with a knee injury. Recent signing Chris Irwin came on as Milovanovic’s replacement, and almost put South ahead with one of his first touches for the club, however blazed over the top of the bar from 12 yards out.

Nikola Roganovic was the hero the last time these two sides met, and the former Melbourne Heart stopper made a great save on the stroke of half time to keep his side in the game.

Oakleigh dropped deeper in the second half, and made life difficult for the reigning champions.

Just after the hour mark, former South man Dusan Bosnjak shrugged off two defenders and put the ball on a platter or Mirjan Pavlovic to double the home side’s advantage.

South continued to fight until the end of the game, but were unable to find the back of the net. It was the first time South had failed to find the back of the net in 27 League games, since the 3-0 loss to Oakleigh in the same fixture last season.

Eagar’s dismissal at the death rounded out a disappointing night for the reigning champions.

South assistant coach Dimi Tsiaras summed up the night:

“A loss is a loss, if we lose to Oakleigh or we lose to someone else, it doesn’t really matter. The boys are pretty flat at the moment, as you would expect. We’ve got North Geelong next week, so we have to rebound, and hopefully get a result there”.

FINAL SCORE: Oakleigh Cannons 2-0 South Melbourne (HT: 1-0)

Goal Scorers:
1-0: Lambros Honos (20’)
2-0: Own Goal (72’)

South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C) (sent off 90+2′), 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI, 17. Andy BRENNAN (10. David STIRTON 70’) 21. Jake BARKER-DAISH, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC (6. Chris IRWIN 39’).

Unused Substitutes: 8. Mathew THEODORE, 23. Andy KECOJEVIC, 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS.

Oakleigh Cannons:
1. John HONOS (GK), 3. John BLACK, 6. Steve PANTELIDIS, 8. Dusan BOSNJAK, 10. Dean PIEMONTE, 12. Tremayne SADLER, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC, 15. Jake MCLEAN (19. Goran ZORIC 60’), 18. Adam LE CORNU, 21. Jakob WILLIAMS, 26. Lambros HONOS (16. Rowan MCNAMEE 90+2’).

Unused Substitutes: 23. Dominic D’ANGELO, 25. Delarno PHAROE, 35. Lajos HUN (GK).

SMFC Fix Hellas Beer Man of the Match: Iqi Jawadi
Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve
Date: Friday 22 May 2015

 

 

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