By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

Pascoe Vale stunned the previously unbeaten Oakleigh Cannons with a 2-0 win at Hosken Reserve on Friday night.

Goals either side of halftime to Joseph Youssef and Davey Van't Schip did the trick for the hosts, who registered only their second win of the campaign.

Carl Recchia guided the Vale midfield through its paces in the early stages, providing a platform for Jonathan Voulgaris and Matthew Lazarides to attack upon.

The pressure exerted took its toll on Oakleigh, as Youssef prodded home the opening goal on 19 minutes. Marco Santilli's corner found the unmarked striker with the easiest of tasks at the far post to finish past John Honos.

Dusan Bosnjak then went close with a magnificent curling strike that was matched by Stefaan Sardelic, while his free kick two minutes later flew inches over.

Miron Bleiberg's halftime address was his most important to date, but Vitale Ferrante's looked to carry the stronger message.

The pacy Voulgaris found himself in the Oakleigh area with only Honos to beat, but connected poorly.

Oakleigh midfielder Andreas Govas was lucky to escape a sending off after a lunge on Van't Schip after the forward dispossessed him on half way.

Vale wasted another golden chance, as substitute Luca Santilli was found in the area by Voulgaris, but the resulting strike cannoned back off the post and into the grateful arms of Honos.

The home support grew restless, but was lifted as the energetic Van't Schip tormented the Oakleigh defence.

Van't Schip then provided the killer blow on 84 minutes with a magnificent solo run after Luca Santilli won possession, chipping expertly over Honos.

Despite protestations that the ball did not cross the line, the goal was confirmed by the linesman. Vale coach Ferrante praised his side's work ethic.

"I'm happy with the balance, if we forget the intensity and the hard work, we're not going to match it with some of these teams,” Ferrante said.

"So we have to have that (intensity) up, but I also know our quality is equal to these other teams.”

Ferrante also reserved praise for Van't Schip.

"He's worked really hard, and even today, the poor guy, his first goal didn't hit the net," he said.

Oakleigh coach Miron Bleiberg spoke of a few key points as to why his team lost.

"The inferior team football-wise and strength-wise get the lead, then they fight like Kamikazes, they gave everything - blocking with the body and play with seven or eight people in the penalty area, and we were not good enough on the day,” Bleiberg said.

Bleiberg lamented watching his team dominate territory but not the scoreline.

"You don't get points for possession or passing, you get points for scoring goals," he said.

"This 2-0 result can happen to Barcelona, to Real Madrid and can definitely happen to Oakleigh."

This shock result, coupled with Bentleigh picking up one point from its last four games, gives league leader South Melbourne a chance to pull nine points clear when it travels to Werribee on Sunday.

MATCH DETAILS

Pascoe Vale 2 (Youssef 19’, Van't Schip 84') defeated Oakleigh Cannons 0 at Hosken Reserve [HT: 1-0]

Pascoe Vale: 1. Stefaan SARDELIC, 2. Adrian TALARICO, 3. Nathen MEGIC, 8. Joseph YOUSSEF, 10. Davey VAN’T SCHIP, 11. Jonathan VOULGARIS (6. Roberto DI VITO 77’), 13. Matthew LAZARIDES (7. Luca SANTILLI 63'), 14. Alvaro CARRILLO, 15. Mark PISTININZI, 16. Marco SANTILLI, 22. Carl RECCHIA.

Unused substitutes: 4. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 17. Vladimir KHAMEES, 25. Yaren SOZER.

Yellow cards: Nil



Red cards: Nil

Oakleigh Cannons: 1. John HONOS (GK), 5. Aron WILFORD, 8. Dusan BOSNJAK, 10. Veton KORCARI (7. Bonel OBRADOVIC 63'), 14. Nate FOSTER, 18. Adam LE CORNU, 19. Goran ZORIC, 20. Jordan LOWDON 17. Dean PIEMONTE 73'), 21. Andreas GOVAS (16. Ariel RITZ 60') 11. Evan CHRISTODOULOU, 23. Dominic D’ANGELO

Unused substitutes: 22. George KROMMIDAS, 35. Harry RAMWORTH



Yellow cards: Govas 57', Christodoulou 65'

Red cards: Nil