By Shaun Moran (@moranshaun)

Pascoe Vale has extended its winning streak to four straight games following its 1-0 win over Green Gully in the Round 13 clash at Hosken Reserve on Friday night.

Adrian Talarico got the game’s only goal from a corner midway through the second half on the back of a sustained period of governance.

Marco Santilli’s perfectly swung-in corner was met by the defender, who nodded home to the delight of the home faithful. Yet another clean sheet ensures that the Vale have now gone over 360 minutes without conceding a goal.

Both Jeff Fleming and Luca Santilli tried their luck from range to no avail in an opening period that saw both sides settle quiet quickly.

Luca Santilli’s left-footed curling free kick on the quarter-hour mark forced a sharp save from Kieran Gonzalez, who had to get down low to parry the ball away.

Osagie Ederaro’s bustling run shortly after allowed him to enter the area and put the Pascoe Vale defence under a heap of pressure, but his cross was eventually turned out for a corner.

The Vale went on to enjoy a considerable period of possession midway through the first half, which saw them take a very proactive and positive approach to the match.

Vitale Ferrante’s charges continued where they left off after the restart by spending lengthy periods in their opposition’s half.

Despite this, both sides couldn’t manifest any notable chances until the deadlock was finally broken.

Jonathan Voulgaris did manage to threaten from two consecutive set pieces that caused some heart flutters in the Gully backline. Kieran Gonzalez managed to deal with the danger on each occasion.

Davey Van’t Schip spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to put the game beyond reach in the closing minutes after Talarico’s goal.

The gangling forward found himself one-on-one with Gully’s custodian and instead of pulling the trigger with force, he opted to lob Gonzalez but only managed to land the ball on the roof of the net.  
Brent Fisher’s header in the dying minutes went agonisingly close for the visitors, but it wasn’t to be as the Vale held on for a hard-fought win.

Ferrante was ecstatic with his side’s ability to take yet another scalp.

“I thought that we created many chances in open play and that’s what I thought was positive about tonight,” Ferrante said.

“Our team is adaptable depending on the circumstances and the opposition and we don’t care what people think about how we play.

“The beauty is we can be a team that’s organised, compacted and hard to break down.”

Green Gully boss Bob Stojcevski tried to take the positives from what was a deflating scorecard.

“I’m disappointed with the result but am not disappointed with the performance,” Stojcevski said.

“I think we fought right to the end and had a never-give-up attitude and it just wasn’t to be.”

Pascoe Vale will host Hume City at the same time and place next week, while Green Gully is on the road again against Werribee City on Sunday afternoon.

MATCH DETAILS

Pascoe Vale 1 (Talarico 64’) defeated Green Gully 0 at Hosken Reserve [HT: 0-0]

Pascoe Vale: 1. Stefaan SARDELIC, 2. Adrian TALARICO, 3. Nathen MEGIC, 4. Tomislav MILADORVIC, 7. Luca SANTILLI, 8. Joseph YOUSSEF, 10. Davey VAN’T SCHIP, 11. Jonathan VOULGARIS (13. Matthew LAZARIDES 90’), 14. Alvaro CARILLO, 15. Mark PISTININZI (12. Eli LUTTMER 70’), 16.  Marco SANTILLI.

Unused subs: 18. Vladimir KHAMEEES, 19. Daniel HUTCHISON, 25. Yaren SOZER.

Yellow Cards: Van’t Schip (3’), Youssef (36’)

Red Cards: Nil

Green Gully: 1. Kieran GONZALEZ, 2. Daniel JONES, 4. Mitchell BISSINGER (18. Matthew REID 52’), 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 7. Jeff FLEMING, 10. Ratip CILELI (9. Brent FISHER 82’), 11. Jem BERKANT, 12. Matthew SANDERS, 16. Sean HARDING, 17. Andy VARGAS (21. Brian VANEGA 41’), 20. Osagie EDERARO.

Unused subs: 23. Dilen IBRAHIM, 22. Peter MODAFFERI.

Yellow Cards: Harding (33’), Fleming (62’)

Red cards:  Nil

Image credit: Jason Heidrich Photography