By Rusty Woodger (@rustywoodger)

Moreland Zebras held off a determined North Geelong Warriors outfit to secure its first away win of the season at Elcho Park on Saturday.

The home side had its chances to draw level, but it was ultimately Nick Symeoy’s third-minute strike that was enough to give the Zebras a vital 1-0 victory.

Moreland opened the scoring courtesy of a fortunate deflection, with Symeoy’s shot rebounding off the legs of Warriors ‘keeper Frano Saric and into the net.

Going down a goal early sparked frustration with North Geelong’s players, as fouls and strong challenges crept into the game.

Last week’s hat-trick hero, Reardo Luka, worked valiantly to spur his Warriors teammates into action. On 26 minutes, the forward used his pace to dribble beyond several Moreland defenders before unleashing a shot that sailed just high of the crossbar.

At the other end – and perhaps buoyed by his third goal this month – Symeoy impressed as he orchestrated nearly every attack on goal for the Zebras.

Yet it was North Geelong which went closest to being the next side to find the back of the net before halftime.

In the dying moments of the half, Luka’s cross found Mark Paleka, whose header forced a good diving save from Alex Stojanovski in goals.

As the players returned to the pitch after the break, the Warriors came out looking like a completely different outfit.

On 48 minutes, North Geelong looked certain to score as Moreland struggled to deal with a goalmouth scramble. The ball was cleared off the line and fell to the feet of Michael Boyar just metres out, but the midfielder’s shot flew over the crossbar when it should have hit the target.

Moments later, Vito Cichello nearly found himself on the scoresheet for the Warriors, as his vicious strike from outside the box flew just shy of the crossbar with Stojanovski beaten.

As the game progressed, the home side failed to keep up its intensity, despite gallant efforts from Luka and Robert Zadworny to create chances.

The match was nearly put beyond doubt when superb build-up play led to several Zebras players almost lining up to finish the move off, but Saric produced a brilliant save to somehow deny Joel Nikolic and keep his side in the contest.

But ultimately it was for nothing, as Moreland held on to claim an important three points on the road.

The result is North Geelong’s third successive loss at home, but coach Ante Skoko felt his side was unlucky to come away empty-handed against the Zebras.

“I think we did (deserve more) – but that matters very little at the end of the day,” Skoko said.

“The boys are working hard and I feel for them. They’re doing everything right. We just seem to make individual errors at times and it’s probably cost us three games this year.”

Next weekend, the Warriors travel to Churchill Reserve to take on St Albans, while Moreland returns home to host Dandenong City.

MATCH DETAILS
 
NORTH GEELONG WARRIORS 0 defeated by MORELAND ZEBRAS 1 (Symeoy 3’) at Elcho Park [HT 0:1]
 
NORTH GEELONG WARRIORS: 22. Frano SARIC (GK), 52. Reha KURUL, 35. Matt TOWNLEY, 2. Darren LEWIS, 16. Michael GRGIC, 8. Vito CICHELLO, 23. Michael BOYAR (9. Michael ANDERSON 75’), 99. Nathan LONG (17. Nicholas JURCIC 75’), 10. Robert ZADWORNY, 7. Reardo LUKA, 14. Mark PALEKA
 
Unused Subs: 36. Nikola JURKOVIC, 3. James DUVCEVSKI, 1. Daniel ZILIC
 
Yellow Cards: Boyar 68’, Grgic 78’

Red Cards: None

MORELAND ZEBRAS: 1. Alex STOJANOVSKI (GK), 7. Scott ROBSON, 18. Adam CENTOFANTI, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 3. Johnny CRIVELLI, 5. Nick SYMEOY, 19. Brad MURRAY, 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU (12. Josh MCMONAGLE-IHASZ), 15. Evan BATSIS (13. Mario PIRIANO 62’), 11. Danny CHARALAMBOUS (10. Danillo BONILLO-OSPINA 90’), 9. Joel NIKOLIC

Unused Subs: 21. Francesco GRECO, 22. Robert ARMELLINI
 
Yellow Cards: Batsis 36’
 
Red Cards: None