Monday, 20 June 2011 1:50 AM
South Melbourne FC has consolidated third spot on the Victorian Premier League table with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory over the Oakleigh Cannons. Substitute Carl Recchia’s early second half goal was enough to earn Eddie Krncevic’s side all three points.
The home side began strongly and had the Cannons on the back foot in the early stages. Kyle Joryeff linked up well with new signing Steven Weir, who made his Victorian Premier League debut for South following his RHB Singapore Cup appearance last weekend. Joryeff was unfortunately substituted at the half hour mark following a nasty cut on his forehead that was sustained earlier in the match. Weir had the best chance of the half when he slammed Steven Topalovic’s cut-back ball just wide of Peter Zois’ goal.
In the second half, Krncevic replaced Marinos Gasparis with Recchia and the move paid off straight away when from a free kick scramble, Recchia managed to hook a shot over his body, past Zois and into the net to give South a deserved lead. The home side had several half chances to double their lead but a combination of lucky defending, good keeping by Zois and several offside calls kept the scoreline at 1-0. Oakleigh managed to muster one very good chance for themselves but on that occasion Ricky Diaco pulled his shot wide of Zaim Zeneli’s goal.
Next Sunday, South travels to Somers Street to play the Melbourne Knights.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-0 OAKLEIGH CANNONS (HT: 0-0)
Goal Scorer:
1-0: Carl Recchia (55′)
South Melbourne FC:
2. Tom MATTHEWS, 4. Steven O’DOR, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 6. Steven TOPALOVIC, 10. Kliment TASESKI, 16. Trent WATERSON, 18. Marinos GASPARIS (8. Carl RECCHIA 49′), 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 25. Kyle JORYEFF (20. Daniel DRAGICEVIC 33′), 17. Steven WEIR, 80. Junior CAMARGO (22. Fernando DE MORAES 71′)
Oakleigh Cannons:
1. Peter ZOIS (GK), 2. James CUMMING, 6. Rama TAVSANCIOGLU, 8. James ROBINSON, 10. Ricky DIACO, 12. Luke WALKER (13. Bill DAMIANOS 69′), 14. Richard OFFIONG (15. Josh GROENEWALD 18′), 16. Frankie LAGANA (18.
Stephen HATZIKOSTAS 3′), 17. Shaun ONTONG, 20. Ari DRAKOS, 21. Hayden DOYLE
SMFC Man of the Match: Steven Weir
Venue: John Cain Memorial Park
Date: Sunday 19 June 2011
