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VICTORIAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT |
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 Cavaliers
fire four past tame Lions
Sunday
21 June 2009
(Simon McCuskey) - Two goals to Pablo Cardozo and Andy
Vargas in the opening fifteen minutes, coupled with goals
to Joel Nikolic and Matthew Sanders sealed a comprehensive
4-0 victory for Green Gully over the Preston Lions at
Green Gully Reserve.
Although the game resulted in a 4-0 victory to the
Cavaliers, the scoreboard could easily have read as a
higher scoring game, with both teams playing an open brand
of football and creating numerous chances on goal.
Taking advantage of a stiff breeze which the Cavaliers
were kicking with, Green Gully midfielder Kole Delev
cracked onto a left foot strike from twenty yards, but had
his ball tipped out spectacularly by Lions goalkeeper
Damir Salcin in the fifth minute. The Cavaliers made no
mistake five minutes later when Delev delivered a precise
cross to find an unmarked Pablo Cardozo on the back post,
heading home the opening goal of the afternoon. Cardozo
should have had a double in the space of minutes, when
Steve Burton’s cross found the forward alone a few yards
from goal, only to send his shot high over the bar.
The Cavaliers soon redeemed themselves, with Andy Vargas
capitalising on Preston’s inability to clear the ball deep
in their own half. Vargas intercepted a pass, advanced
solo into the box and finished with a low strike past
Salcin to double the Cavaliers lead.
The Lions were struck a blow late in the first half,
losing the services of Damir Salcin after thirty five
minutes. Salcin was taken off in a stretcher after heavily
colliding with Matthew Sanders, running quickly off his
line to courageously deny Sanders his first goal for the
afternoon. In another blow for the Lions, reserve
goalkeeper Aleksandar Stojanovski’s first touch was
picking up the ball from the back of his net, as Joel
Nikolic connected to a pin point pass from Pablo Cardozo,
striking a cracking goal from eighteen yards into the roof
of the Lions net.
The Lions responded positively in the second half, holding
the bulk of possession for the opening fifteen minutes and
creating a string of scoring opportunities. Michael Miskas’
shot from six yards out was charged down by Steve Burton,
whilst Blaze Georgioski tested Cavalier’s goalkeeper Steve
Tilovski a few occasions from long range. Despite
Preston’s early dominance, the Lions failed to capitalise
on the scoreboard and Matthew Sanders ensured Preston paid
the ultimate price, latching onto a half volley from
twenty yards and firing past a full stretch Stojanovski to
beat the keeper on his near post.
 Both
Green Gully and Preston were unlucky to score towards the
end of the game. Andy Vargas’ free kick into the box
appeared to be handled by Michael Miskas, but claims for a
penalty were turned away be referee Perry Muir. In the
eighty fifth minute, Ivan Filipovic stuck a set piece from
twenty yards, which appeared goal bound, only for Steven
Tilovski to tip the ball over the bar in mid air.
The win ensured the Cavaliers remain in the hunt with the
top half of the ladder in pursuit of a finals birth.
Despite convincing winners on the scoreboard, Green Gully
coach Peter Ollerton was not completely satisfied with the
result. “The first fifteen minutes was the best part of
our game, where we were up 2-0, but I thought after that
we got dragged down to their level. However, there were
some glimpses of form after that, which showed in the
finishing of some of our goals.”
Although deflated by another defeat, Preston coach Zeljko
Gagula remained positive about Preston’s future, stating
“It’s disappointing not to get something out of the game.
This has been the story of our season where we play well
in patches, but with no experience, it’s hard putting a
result together. We are destined to get relegated this
season, but I’m remaining positive and motivated and am
beginning to restructure for a quick return back to the
Victorian Premier League next year. I am determined to
ensure that a situation like this never occurs in this
club’s history again.”
Green Gully will be looking to push towards consolidating
a spot in the top five when they travel away to Mansion
Stadium Friday night in a derby with the Melbourne
Knights, whilst Preston continue to search for that
illusive first win of the season when they entertain
Richmond at B.T Connor Reserve this Sunday.
In the Under 21's, Green Gully came up against a
determined Preston outfit, who ran away with a 0-3 upset.
Green Gully: S. Tilovski, S. Burton, D. Fak (M.
Medjedovic 89’), C. Drake, K. Delev, J. Fleming (D.
Ferreira 77’), P. Cardozo, M. Sanders, R. Ollerton, A.
Vargas, A. Behich, J. Nikolic (A. Behich 77’)
Scorers: Kole Delev (10’), Andy Vargas (15’), Joel
Nikolic (44’), Matthew Sanders (62’)
Yellow cards: Diogo Ferreira (80’), Joel Nikolic
(78’)
Red cards: Nil
Preston Lions FC: D. Salcin (A. Stojanovski 35’),
D. Branov (K. Coceski 70’), C. Jones, R. Najdovski, M.
Hana (V. Kostadinovski 65’), B. Georgioski, M. Miskas, B.
Tenovski, B. Micovski, I. Filipovic, I. Koceski
Scorers: Nil
Yellow cards: Bobby Tenovski (25’), Michael Miskas
(72’), Ivan Filipovic (75’)
Red cards: Nil
Crowd: 150 (unofficial) at Green Gully Reserve
Photos: Pece Siljanovski |
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