By Marc Sudholz

North Geelong Warriors took a huge step towards promotion with a 2-1 victory against Moreland Zebras at De Chene Reserve on Sunday. 

The visitors that came out on top in what were perfect conditions, with goals either side of half time from Michael Anderson and Nathan Long clinching the vital three points. 

Moreland came out in the first half the more attacking side, creating three golden chances. 

In the 15th minute, Danny Nikolic’s volleyed cross was met by the head of James Papadimitriou, and he would have scored if not for a stunning reflex save by North Geelong ‘keeper Daniel Zilic. 

Four minutes later, the ball fell to Papadimitriou following a goalmouth scramble, and he laid it off for Scott Robson who only blasted over. 

Just another minute later, it was Daniel Sweeney’s turn to spurn a chance, putting his left-footed shot over the bar from inside the box.

Then with just over half an hour gone, Moreland was made to pay for its wastefulness in front of goal. 

When Robert Zadworny’s shot was brilliantly saved by Moreland keeper’ Nikola Kostadinovski, the Warriors scored from the resulting corner.

Anderson rose highest to head the cross in off the post despite the ‘keeper’s best efforts, making it 1-0 to the visitors. 

Stung by the strike, the Zebras went close to equalising four minutes later when another goal mouth scramble saw the ball fall to Nikolic, but his effort was not powerful enough to beat Zilic. 

While it was 1-0 at half time, Moreland kept creating chance after the break, and the game was soon level.

Just seven minutes had elapsed in the second half when Sweeney equalised for Moreland. 

Following a corner, the ball fell to the midfielder, who rocketed a left-footed shot through traffic and past Zilic to make it 1-1. 

With just over twenty minutes to play, Anderson thought he had his second for North Geelong, but his goal was controversially ruled out for a foul on Mile Medjedovic. 

Two minutes later, North Geelong would not be denied. 

A sublime individual run from Anderson was followed by an inch-perfect pass to Long, who finished with aplomb over Kostadinovski. 

Following the goal, Moreland continued to press hard, and went desperately close to what would have been a deserved leveller. 

Danilo Bonilla-Ospina created space on the edge of the box, but his curling right-footed shot hit the crossbar, with Nikolic’s follow up effort also hitting the bar. 

However North Geelong held on to record a crucial win in the race for promotion. 

North Geelong coach Micky Colina was not getting carried away with thoughts of promotion after this result.

“After round 26 we’ll talk. I don’t want to get too carried away; the job ain’t done till it’s done,” Colina said.

“Football’s a crazy game, anything’s possible.”

Meanwhile, Moreland coach Danny Gnjidic was frustrated by his team’s inability to finish chances. 

“That game typifies our season. In a nutshell I think that we’ve been playing some good stuff, creating plenty of opportunities, we’re not clinical enough when we do create the opportunities,” Gnjidic said.

“We’ve played well, and not got the reward for effort.” 

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland Zebras 1 (Sweeney 52’) defeated by North Geelong Warriors 2 (Anderson 34’ Long 71) at De Cheyne Reserve. [HT: 0-1]

Moreland Zebras XI: 21: Nikola KOSTADINOVSKI (GK), 2: Simon SYMEOY, 3: Johnny CRIVELLI, 7: Scott ROBSON, 8: Daniel SWEENEY (Danny CHARALAMBOUS 81’), 9: Joel NIKOLIC, 10: Danilo BONILLA-OSPINA, 12: Joshua MCMONAGLE-IHASZ, 14: James PAPADIMITRIOU (Jack TURNER 68’), 16: Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 19: Bradley MURRAY. 

Unused subs: 1: Francesco GRECO, 20: Christopher CHARALAMBOUS, 22: Lucas RUFFINO. 

Yellow Cards: SWEENEY 42’, ROBSON 75’ 

Red Cards: None. 

North Geelong Warriors XI: 1: Daniel ZILIC (GK), 3: Michael GRGIC, 2: Daniel LEWIS, 3: Matthew TOWNLEY, 99: Nathan LONG, 6: Stipe TRBUHOVIC, 7: Reardo LUKA, 9: Michael ANDERSON(21: Martija DRAGOVIC), 10: Robert ZADWORNY, 14: Mark PALEKA (32: Nicholas JURCIC 90’), 77: Juso JULARDZIJA. 

Unused Subs: 4: Nikola JURKOVIC, 38: Jackson DAVIS, 31: Daniel BALTA. 

Yellow Cards: JULARDZIJA 86’ 

Red Cards: None.