By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

Springvale White Eagles blitzed FC Bendigo on Saturday night, winning 4-1 thanks to Abel Fesseha's hat trick after going behind in the first half.

George Slefendorfas gave the home support plenty of hope with an early goal, but the visitors hit back thanks to a Fesseha hat-trick and a single to Hamish Millar.

Slefendorfas provided the hosts with a deserved lead on 25 minutes. Matthew Breeze found a pocket of space in between the lines, and his pass found the target-man in the centre of the area to slot home past Anthony Casset.

Springvale's performance improved greatly thereafter, as it looked to figure out Bendigo's tactic of bypassing midfield.

Fesseha proved to be a menace, as the striker hit the crossbar with a header from a free-kick awarded after he was brought down by Finn Huzzey, who was shown a yellow card.

Bendigo was dealt a cruel blow on the cusp of halftime, as the irrepressible Fesseha found space on the edge of the area and fired past Sebastian Mattei with the last action of the half.

Bendigo stopper Josh Romein went close from Breeze's set-piece as he nearly capitalised on some slack marking.

The chances continued for the home side as Trent Waterson, Slefendorfas and Breeze went close, but failed to convert.

The game entered the final 20 minutes with Bendigo in complete control - but the game took a cruel twist shortly after.

Hamish Millar was allowed too much space on the left and fired past Mattei in the Bendigo goal. The hosts were deflated by this, and fell further behind on 84 minutes.

Substitute Ryan Don Paul then helped cement the victory with a contribution befitting of any contest.

He was played through and Mattei charged out, only to be lobbed by the Springvale winger from a position closer to the corner flag than the penalty spot.

His effort came back off the post and rolled along the goal line, only for Fesseha to tap home his second and Springvale's killer third.

Fesseha completed his hat-trick on the counter attack in stoppage time with Bendigo's back line horribly exposed.

Springvale coach Zlatko Mihajlovic was ecstatic with such a comprehensive win.

"For us to come away from here with a 4-1 win is great," Mihajlovic said

"Considering they were only a few points behind, to have that buffer now is fantastic.”

Bendigo player-coach Steve Martin praised his side’s performance despite the scoreline.

"I couldn't ask any more of the boys in regards to style and structure", Martin said.


"4-1 isn't a great reflection. It's one of those days as a coach that I'm a bit baffled as to where it went wrong.”

Martin provided a hopeful outlook: "We go to Bulleen which won't be an easy game, but we have another chance to control our destiny," he said.

MATCH DETAILS

FC Bendigo 1 (Slefendorfas 25') defeated by Springvale White Eagles 4 (Fesseha 25' 85' 90', Millar 74') at Tom Flood Sports Centre [HT: 1-1]

FC Bendigo: 1. Sebastian MATTEI (GK), 2. Tom SHAPER, 5. Josh ROMEIN (3. Daniel REES 88’), 6. Alon BLUMGART, 7. Trent WATERSON, 8. Victor RODRIGUEZ, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 17. Jono RYAN, 13. Finn HUZZEY, 14. Ryan DAVIDSON (11. Amara KROMAH 85’), 16. Steve MARTIN
Unused substitutes: 12. Josh NAUNTON, 17. Jono RYAN, 22. Chris XERRI, 26. Zachary KINSMAN

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Springvale White Eagles: 30. Anthony CASSET (GK), 3. Joey CALDERONE, 4. Simo JOVANOVIC, 5. Scott MILLAR, 6. Slavisa SARIC, 7. Keletso MTHEMBU (18. Ryan DON PAUL 71'), 8. Marcus HOLMES, 13. Hamish MILLAR (33. Zarko MILOSEVIC 90’+2), 9. Abel FESSEHA,16. Jamie DE SMIT,
Unused substitutes: 1. Bojan TOMIC (GK), 14. Joel BOWEN, 40. Michael MILLAR

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None