By Eva Worden

St Albans Saints SC has clinched a 3-1 victory over FC Bendigo at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve in Round 17 of NPL1.

The Saints played aggressively and it paid off with three goals after half-time, securing its win over Bendigo on Saturday night. 

In the first half of the match, Bendigo increased in confidence after many great saves by goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei and the team’s defence worked well together to prevent the opposition scoring. 

A corner allowed the home side to mark their territory mid-way through the first half, and Matthew Breeze headed it in to open the scoring. 

St Albans missed many opportunities to score in the first half of the match but they made up for it in the second stanza. 

A penalty kick allowed Brodie Paterson to equalise after 59 minutes, and the forward made no mistake.

The goal boosted the Saints’ confidence and they pushed Bendigo until they scored again, this time with a great set up by Ross Harvey, who crossed the ball to Sean McIlroy to put the visitors ahead.

Only a few minutes later St Albans secured the points after Felix Rosman headed in from a corner.

It proved to be the last goal of the game, even though Bendigo tried to fight back against the opposition.

But it had many unsuccessful attempts at goal, while Mattei and Bendigo’s defence made saves to prevent the Saints from extending their lead.

St Albans coach Toby Paterson was proud the team were able to defeat FC Bendigo away from home.

“It was a tough game,” Paterson said.

“Bendigo are a hard team to beat at home, they have had some recent wins and their confidence was high, so I think we played exceptionally well.” 

FC Bendigo player-coach Steve Martin was disappointed with the loss yet still congratulated the team on their keeping possession.

“First half was well disciplined. But second half, discipline to keep the ball was poor, creating turnovers because St Albans Saints had higher pressure,” Martin said.

“We were chasing the game but [still] kept possession despite it being too late.”

Next week FC Bendigo will come up against Richmond SC who has won four of their last five games, while St Albans Saints will take on Sunshine George Cross.

MATCH DETAILS

FC Bendigo 1 (Mathew Breeze 22’) lost to St Albans Saints SC 3 (Brodie Paterson 59’, Sean McIlroy 70’, Felix Rosman 74’) at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve. [HT:1-0]

FC Bendigo: 1. Sebastian MATTEI (GK), 3. Aaron COHEN, 5. Josh ROMEIN, 6. Alon BLUMGART, 7. Trent WATERSON, 8. Viktor RODRIGUEZ, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Matthew BREEZE, 14. Ryan DAVIDSON, 16. Steve MARTIN, 17. Jonathan RYAN

Subs: 2. Tom SHAPER, 15. Zack KINSMAN, 18. Daniel PURDY, 19. Goodwill BASHA, 22. Christopher XERRI

Yellow cards: ROMEIN 70’

St Albans Saints: 1. Stuart WEBSTER (GK), 2. Ryan MCGUFFIE, 4. Barry DEVLIN, 5. Felix ROSMAN, 8. Ross Harvey, 9. Sean MCILROY, 10. Brodie PATERSON (12. Chol NYOK), 11. Yusef YUSEF, 14. Christopher ROSS, 15. Konrad DORASZKIEWICZ (19. Teddros YABIO), 16 Ajak PANEK (13. Nicholas CULLEN)

Unused subs: 3. Georgi NICESKI, 21. Tonio BARESIC

Image Credit: Steve Starek