Friday, 15 July 2005 12:34 PM
By Mark van Aken
On Sunday SMFC has invited its neighbouring residents from the City of Port Phillip to join the faithful at Bob Jane Stadium. In terms of football action, we are in for a treat. Green Gully, last season’s minor Premiers and current league leaders, will be no easy match for a South Melbourne outfit that has collected just one point from their last three outings.
Despite their recent patch of hard luck, South remain well in contention for the minor premiership. John Anastasiadis will be looking to his senior players like Kosta Salapasidis, Vaughan Coveny and Con Blatsis for strong performances in what shapes as a match of great consequence.
NSWPL player of the year Robbie Catanach was quiet for the blue and white last week, and he will be sure to improve for Sunday’s clash. The South faithful were treated to blasts of Samba magic last week when Fernando Moraes made a mockery of the Sunshine defence on several occasions. The Brazilian import also took a free kick from 30 yards that took a wicked curve and very nearly gifted his side the win.
Jeffrey Fleming, the Cavaliers back to back club champion is in doubt for Sunday’s game, while the home side will be at close to full strength. One player that won’t be donning Gully’s green jersey on Sunday is Nick Lazarevski. The striker was the lone scorer when the two sides met back in April, but he has since moved on to Bulleen Zebras.
South will be keen to avenge that loss on the road back in April. This time they will be on home turf where they have collected 6 wins and a draw from 9 starts. More imposing for the visitors is the sides’ goal difference at home, reading 12 for and only 3 against.
If other results fall their way, a win will put SMFC within a point of top spot. On a day when a big crowd is expected at Melbourne’s premier football arena, nothing but three points will do for the blue and white.