By Skip Fulton
A South Melbourne FC own goal in the eighty fifth minute gave Green Gully the win in NPL U20s this Sunday at Albert Park. The move from Lakeside and good conditions provided an opportunity for the team to use their strong possession and passing game but were unable to capitalise beyond Eric Hauser’s early goal.
The starting lineup had two changes to that which drew 1-1 with Port Melbourne last week at Lakeside Stadium. Alexandru Sporea and last weeks goal scorer Stefan Zinni made way for Juan Igic and Massimo Pesce.
South got off to a flyer in the early minutes with Ryan Barbare setting up attacking play in the midfield. Barbare’s through ball released Joshua Markovski who made a blistering run down the right wing only to find himself with a single defender to beat but running out of room. Somehow Markovski found space just a few feet from the byline and cut the ball back to the top of the area. Eric Hauser pounced and a superb strike made it past three defenders and the goal keeper into the back of the net.
Green Gully lifted the tempo and started to push forward aggressively in attack. They found their opportunity through an unfortunate outlet when in the twenty ninth minute South Melbourne were adjudged to have handled the ball in the area sending the green team to the penalty spot. Daniel Trajkocki stepped up to the mark and in confident and clinical fashion put a powerful strike into the bottom right corner.
Play oscillated through the midfield for the balance of the half with sporadic attacks including a solid move by Andy Kecojevic down the left. A minute before the break Dion Paola took the liberty of getting the ball past the goal keeper into the net only for his celebration to be met by a raised offside flag.
Sammy Kagioglou came on at half-time and Green Gully also made a substitute with a change in goal keeper. Neither team were able to gain the ascendency in the second half. A number of opportunities presented at both ends of the pitch as the pace slowed and space became more available. The addition of Angel Taravillo and Jordan Moncrieff added some fresh legs for the home team but wayward finishing up front and desperate defending from Green Gully prevented the winning goal.
Disappointingly for the team they were to score in the eighty fifth minute however it was at the wrong end of the field. The own goal five minutes from time would be all that separated the two teams in a match which would be otherwise be characterised as being a well-structured effort with solid team work albeit unable to put away the attacking moves.
After the match, Joshua Markovski spoke to smfc.com.au reflecting on the match, “we played well, but we just couldn’t convert. We were just unlucky with the two goals we copped.”
Looking at the positives from the match, “we definitely played well as a team, especially being on this field we train on every day. We were pressing more, not holding back as much. Just unlucky with the result.” Markovski was very clear on the focus for the weeks ahead “personally goals, but definitely wins for the team”.
South Melbourne sit in tenth on the ladder in a precarious position surrounded by four other teams with just two points separating them all. The coming rounds present opportunities to consolidate on field teamwork and look to convert the attacking style of play South Melbourne is renowned for into goals.
Next week the team is in action again at Albert Park when they welcome Hume City who defeated Dandenong Thunder 3-2 at home this round.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-2 GREEN GULLY (HT: 1-1)
Goal Scorers:
1-0 Eric Hauser (7’), 1-1 Daniel Trajkocki (30’ pen), 1-2 Ioannis Avramidis (85’ OG)
South Melbourne FC:
Jason Giccominato (GK), Ryan Babare, Andy Kecojevic, Peter Constantinou, Timothy Kakoliris (Jordan Moncrieff 77’), Dion Paola, Ioannis Avramidis, Eric Hauser, Juan Igic (Angel Taravilio 69’), Massimo Pesce (Sam Kagioglou 45’), Joshua Markovski
Green Gully:
Akim Abdul (GK) (Dilen Ibrahuim 45’), Kieren Farrugia, Ari Battistella, Jake Kremers, Zac Balabouron (Peter Younan 75’), Daniel Trajkoski, Cody Nagy (Oliver Goodwin 81’), Oman Abdigafar (Muhammed Uzumcu 72’), Peter Modafferi, Baran Kockaya (Anthony Marafioti 56’), Habib Fleifec
SMFC Man of the Match: Juan Igic
Venue: Albert Park
Date: Sunday 6 June 2014