 Courage's
win by Lions as Georgies farewell Chaplin Reserve
Tuesday 28 July 2009
(Luke Sheehan) - Sunshine Georgies have farewelled their
Chaplin Reserve home in controversial circumstances, going
down 1-0 to the relegated Preston Lions.
Everything was on the line for the home side, including a
potential top five spot with three weeks remaining, and
the frustration of the performance was evident through
Sunshine coach Andy O’Dell being ejected from the arena.
A Bale Micovski wonder strike in the 10th minute separated
the two sides, and the Lions held on to register their
second win for the season.
Sunshine team manager Paul Calleja said it was sad to
farewell Sunshine’s home of 27 years.
“We’ve been here since 1982, so that’s 27 years. That’s a
long time to play at one ground. It brings back big
memories, and it’s heartbreaking, and probably will shed a
few tears when I’m on my own at home,” Calleja said.
Calleja was disappointed with his side’s start to the
match, which it could not recover from.
Lions
Coach Zeljko Gagula gives final instructions to his
players
“I think
we didn’t play well in the first half to win the game.
They played a lot better than us, they deserved the
one-nil win because (in the) second half, we just couldn’t
put the ball in the net, and on the day, I don’t think we
were good enough.”
Calleja said after the sale of Chaplin Reserve, Sunshine
would be in a financially positive position.
“Money is going to be a great asset for the club. Instead
of being behind, for the first time we’re going to be
forward money wise.”
A new home beckons for the Georgies, and Calleja said a
deal was in the process with a State League One club to
share their venue. "(For) the home games, we’re talking
with Western Suburbs to play there for the next couple of
seasons. And that’s in the pipe works, and hopefully it
eventuates, and next year we’ll play there."
The final 90 minutes played on Chaplin Reserve were
memorable for all the wrong reasons for Sunshine.
Having conceded early, the Georgies clicked into gear and
created several chances from set pieces, and in the 26th
minute, Sunshine nearly found the back of the net, but the
ensuing scuffle in the box saw the ball cleared to safety
for the Lions.
Chaplin
Reserve: Home of Sunshine George Cross for 27 years
First half
injury time saw an all-in brawl develop, after Preston
goalkeeper Damir Salcin pushed a Sunshine player to the
ground, and was subsequently given a yellow card, much to
the spite of the home faithful who were calling for red.
O’Dell was visibly furious with the soft penalty to the
keeper, and let his frustrations out to the referees in a
face-off in the centre of the pitch.
In the 79th minute, O’Dell was sent out of the pitch by
the central referee, and had to run to the clubrooms side
of the pitch, as his side had little time to spare in
their attempts to score.
It came down to the wire in the finish, and Sunshine had
one more chance in the 96th minute, but after several
small passes on the edge of the box, no shot was fired,
and the referee blew the end of Premier League, and any
other, football to be played at Chaplin Reserve.
Photo's: Pece Siljanovski
Sunshine George Cross line-up: 1 M. John, 2 N.
Schwal, 3 J. Clancy, 4 W. Wallace, 5 C. Konstas, 6 A.
Kearney (71'14 B. Cogger), 8 F. Richards, 10 G.
Papadopoulos (75'7 M. Cini), 15 N. Hooks, 17 J. Webster,
20 J. Sapazovski (67'11 P Koutsoupias)
Subs not used: 25 A. Pecora
Yellow Cards: J. Clancy
Preston Lions line-up: 21 D. Salcin, 11 M. Miskas,
16 B. Micovski (44' 29 V. Kostadinovski), 23 I. Kolevski,
8 R. Najdovski, 10 B. Georgioski (C), 3 A. Branov, 15 K.
Coceski, 9 M. Hana (94' 31 D. Jovanovski), 17 I. Filipovic,
18 J. Dolevski (88'7 P. Mitrevski)
Subs not used: 1 A. Stojanovski
Goal Scorer: 10' B. Mickovski
Yellow Cards: D. Salcin, A. Branov, I. Filipovic
Crowd: 400 (unofficial) at Chaplin Reserve |
