Monday, 22 July 2013 2:07 PM
By George Kouroumalis
A late second half surge by Bentleigh Greens against a nine man South Melbourne side has seen them defeat the home side by 4 goals to 1 at Lakeside Stadium.
South went into the match with new signings Bryan Bran and Tim Mala in the heart of the defence, as well as Chris Taylor opting to play striker Trent Rixon up front once again.
It was that decision by Taylor that worked immediately after kick-off, with Rixon darting past the stagnant Bentleigh defence, before hitting a low drive across the area and into the path of Nick Epifano at the back post who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Moments later the match was turned on it’s head up the other end, when South custodian Peter Gavalas collided with Bentleigh’s Ryan De Vries, after the strikers shot had already sailed well and truly over the bar. In what seemed to be an innocuous incident, referee Brenton Hawyward pointed to the penatly spot before sending Gavalas off with a straight red card being produced.
Immediately Taylor sacrificed goalscorer Epifano and brought on 17 year old Goalkeeper Lajos Hun to make his debut for the club at senior level.
In what was an amazing turn of events, Luke Sherbon stepped up and scored the penalty, only for the referee to call it back, making him take it again. From the resultant re-take, Hun produced a fine save, sending the stunned South crowd into raptures.
This galvanised the South players and they continued to dominate the half with ten men and despite not being able to capitalise, went into the rooms at half time with a well deserved one goal lead.
The second half continued in the same manner, South coming out of the blocks early and piling the pressure on a very timid Bentleigh defence, with Soolsma and Rixon once again looking dangerous.
It was against the run of play where Bentleigh grabbed an equaliser, with Dane Milovanovic hitting a wonderful strike from outside the area to get his team on level terms.
Any chance South had of clinching the three points vanished moments later, when Iqi Jawadi was given his second yellow card in a short period, with the referee deeming that he kicked the ball away after he blew the whistle.
With the sending off, South was left with very little hope and it was proven not long after when Ryan De Vries and Luke Sherbon capitalised on an exhausted South defence to put the match beyond doubt.
Former South defender Tom Matthews added the fourth with the match already sealed and the South side demoralised.
It was a more positive story in the Under-21s as South defeated Bentleigh 4-3. Baggio Yousif scored twice as Francis Solano and Aydin Sipahi scored the other two goals to secure the win.
South must re-group as it takes on Preston this Tuesday night in the State Knockout Cup, whilst hosting Dandenong Thunder on Sunday at 3pm. Both matches are at Lakeside Stadium, with the Cup game against Preston a members only affair.
FINAL SCORE: SOUTH MELBOURNE 1-4 BENTLEIGH GREENS (HT: 1-0)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Nick Epifano (2′)
1-1: Dane Milovanovic (64′)
1-2: Ryan De Vries (72′)
1-3: Luke Sherbon (79′)
1-4: Tom Matthews (90+2′)
South Melbourne FC:
1. Peter GAVALAS (GK – sent off 12′), 2. Tim MALA, 4. Bryan BRAN, 5. Nick EPIFANO (21. Lajos HUN [GK] 12′), 9. Trent RIXON (15. Dimi HATZIMOURATIS 61′), 10. Tyson HOLMES, 11. Brad NORTON (C), 13. Iqi JAWADI, 16. Alan KEARNEY, 17. Nick SOOLSMA (12. Rhys MEREDITH 76′), 22. James KARVELIS
Bentleigh Greens:
Alistair BRAY (GK), Dominic D’ANGELO, Aron WILFORD, Jack WEBSTER, Thomas MATHEWS, Steve HATZIKOSTAS (Luke O’DEA 45’), Wayne WALLACE (Liam MCCORMICK 77’), Luke SHERBON, David STIRTON (Jamie DEARBY 61’), Ryan DE VRIES, Dane MILOVANOVIC
SMFC Man of the Match: Bryan Bran
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
Date: Sunday 21 July 2013