Tuesday, 16 August 2005 10:21 AM
By Mark van Aken
In the bitter cold of Melbourne’s freezing end to winter, South Melbourne cemented their place near the top of the VPL with a 2-1 win away to Fawkner-Whittlesea.
South finally discovered the goal scoring form they will need heading to the approaching finals series, with Ramazan and Robbie Cattanach finding the back of the net on either side of half time.
The home side were on the back foot for long periods of the match, but still managed to equalise in 41st minute when a probing shot from Mark Silic deceived Dean Anastasiadis and glided into the goal.
Skipper Vaughan Coveny played only a small part in the win after appearing to take an early knock. While enjoying the lion’s share of possession, it was shaping like the same old story for the visitors who saw several chances miss wide of the goal or saved by Azzurri keeper Steve Tilovski.
Just after the half hour South’s luck would change when a free kick was met solidly by a Ramazan header to gift them the lead. The advantage would not last long as Mark Silic’s equaliser ensured the teams would go into half time at one goal a piece.
Robbie Cattanach, who has created so many chances since coming to the club from NSW, gifted his side the lead with a cracking goal in the 54th minute. Minutes later the Azzurri faithful were sure they’d again equalised when Zoran Patrevski’s shot bounced agonisingly close to the goal line.
John Markovski, Fawkner-Whittlsea’s player-manager, brought himself into the game in the 66th minute and had a stellar chance denied by South defender Arthur Tzirtskakis. Billy Natsioulis entered the game late and had an impact, supplying Fernando and Robbie Cattanach with plenty of opportunities to put their side further in front.
The many South Melbourne fans that made the trip to Epping would have to settle for a 2-1 victory. The win appeared to give the side the shot in the arm it has been seeking over the last month. They will steel themselves for their final match of the regular season on Sunday at BJS. Kick off is 3pm.