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VICTORIAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT |
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 Zebras
secures Northern Community Cup against Lions
Tuesday 20
May 2009
(FFV) - Whittlesea Zebras emerged victorious over Preston
Lions in the annual Northern Community Cup as Ange
Postecolou's men dispatched their rivals by 2-1 in the
battle between the basement teams of the Victorian Premier
League.
Goals from Marco Santilli and Simon Symeoy on both sides
of the interval ensured for Whittlesea's maiden victory of
the season with Preston's lone goal coming deep in injury
time courtesy of a Bosevski stunner.
The Zebras were the dominant side throughout the majority
of the game, squandering a host of chances with the most
notable coming in the third minute of play.
From the back post, off an in-swinging corner O'Hare
headed back into the box finding Antoniadias, who shot
directly into the keeper forcing a rebound into the path
of Tex Apostolikas who uncharacteristically shot over the
bar from inside the box.
Preston’s youthful setup, to the credit managed to find
their stride with the combinations of Ladnjak and Wilson,
and Arsovski and Micovski forcing the home defence into
rushed clearances on individual occasions.
Santilli had the ball in the net for Whittlesea on 24
minutes, but the goal was ruled offside by the linesmen.
Whittlesea went ahead five minutes before the break
through Marco Santilli, who knocked the ball over the line
after some good work from Irishman Ryan O’Hare.
Moments later, Arsovski almost leveled the scores but saw
his effort from the acute angle hammer the woodwork.
The second period began with possession evenly spread
amongst both teams, but it was Whittlesea who would
capitalize in the 56th minute courtesy of Simon Symeoy's
goal that ultimately left the Lions out of contention for
the Northern Community Cup.
Michael Bosevski showed his class on 70 minutes with two
fruitful attempts from distance.
The Preston captain sweetly struck a free kick from 40
yards that took a wicked deflection from a Whittlesea
player, and then from the subsequent corner, Bosevski took
aim with a volley from a loose ball that soared into
Gerochristodoulou's arms.
With the game all but wrapped up, Preston found time to
add some parity to the scoreline, scoring in the final
moments of the game, in what was to be the last kick of
the match with Bosevski cleverly chipping
Gerochristodoulou from the side of the eighteen yard box.
The win provides Whittlesea with a glimmer of hope in
their quest to remain in the top flight, in addition to a
trophy to alleviate the pain that the club has endured all
season long.
Also, Whittlesea's Stefan Piorkowski was handed the Andrew
Zinni Medal for his man-of-the-match performance, judged
by ex-Australian international himself.
Further good news for the Zebras came in the preceding
day's result where third-from-bottom side Melbourne
Knights fell to Altona Magic, closing the gap between
Whittlesea and the Knights on the standings to six points.
Nonetheless, Whittlesea remain slumped in an unfavorable
with their season being marred by off the field events and
a mid-season player exodus.
The transfer window cannot have come at the better time
for the Zebras with John Angelovski, Brandon Vassallo and
Josip Kozic having all walked out of the side in recent
weeks leaving major a hole in Ange Postecoglou's squad.
''We've lost a few players so obviously we will replace
them, sign a couple and hope that we can build a posiive
second half of the year,” Zebras coach Ange Postecoglou
said.
''I think six points from the Melbourne Knights is a
better sign, with two points in last few weeks things have
been better, but we must work hard and we may be in their
with a shot.
Round 12 has Whittlesea host the Richmond Eagles at Epping
Soccer Stadium in what looks to be an fascinating clash.
Richmond has spurned their top five standing on the table
after three defeats in their previous four outings making
for an interesting battle, whilst Whittlesea seem to be a
team on the rise under the new guidance of Postecoglou.
Preston on the other hand travel to Mansion Stadium where
they play another struggling side, Melbourne Knights, who
earlier in the season required a Cameron Watson late
double to see off the Lions in one of Preston’s more
positive showings in recent times.
Photo:
Nome Risteski
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