Gully opens account with big win over Northcote
Green Gully has opened its PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria 2015 account in style, putting away a 10-man Northcote City 4-1 at Green Gully Reserve on Monday night.
Nikola Markovski nabbed a brace, while the two Matthews – Sanders and Breeze – added goals of their own, with James Kalifatidis scoring a consolation penalty for the visitors.
Kieran Gonzalez was the first keeper called into action in the fifth minute, stretching to deny Marino Gasparis’ curling effort towards the top right corner.
At the other end, Chris Theodoridis’ first task was to pick the ball out of the net, with new Gully signing Nikola Markovski latching onto a swift counter-attack and calmly slotting home.
Despite showing glimpses of mounting a comeback through miscued efforts on goal from Webb and Bissinger, Northcote’s night was made all the more difficult when Jason Hayne was sent off in the 35th minute after needlessly throwing the ball at Berkan Yurdakul’s face in frustration following a tussle during play.
With half-time approaching, a wasteful passage of play saw Alon Blumgart’s one-on-one chance with Theodoridis saved, before Jem Berkant spurned a similar opportunity, missing wide of the upright.
The second half was dominated by Gully, with club mainstay Sanders doubling the advantage in the 65th minute after being teed up by substitute Breeze on the break.
Markovski then popped up to tap in his second goal in the 75th minute after Northcote failed to properly clear a corner.
Breeze was making a massive impact off the bench, adding his side’s fourth goal when right-back Amadu Koroma picked him out in the box with a pinpoint low cross, wrapping up a dominant display by the hosts.
That wasn’t before the visitors earned a late consolation through Kalifatidis, who scored from the spot after Rodrigo Vargas was penalised for a handball.
Green Gully will now look ahead to hosting Oakleigh Cannons in Round 2, while Northcote will turn their attention to another tough away trip, this time at Somers Street against Melbourne Knights.
MATCH DETAILS
Green Gully 4 (Markovski 15’ 75’, Sanders 65’, Breeze 83’) defeated Northcote City 1 (Kalifatidis (p) 90’) at Green Gully Reserve
Green Gully: 1. Kieran GONZALEZ, 4. Daniel JONES (3. Aaron COHEN 81’), 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 6. Jem BERKANT, 7. Liam SCOTT, 9. Nikola MARKOVSKI, 10. Rinor MURIQI (11. Matthew BREEZE 64’), 12. Matt SANDERS, 14. Amadu KOROMA, 15. Berkan YURDAKUL, 17. Alon BLUMGART (8. Tomas MURPHY 79’)
Unused Subs: 23. Rani DOWISHA, 16. Nathan FOX
Yellow Cards: Jones 27’, Muriqi 38’, Markovski 40’
Red Cards: None
Northcote City: 22. Chris THEODORIDIS, 3. Mitchell BISSINGER, 4. Jacob ELIOPOULOS, 5. Gregory LOMBARDO, 7. Jason HAYNE, 9. William WEBB (8. James KALIFATIDIS 67’), 10. Marino GASPARIS, 11. Evan KOUNAVELIS (16. Ismael MOHAMED 79’), 17. Nicholas BAVCAR, 20. Nicholas KOKOLAKIS, 23. Jonathan BOUNAS (6. Aaron WARD 60’)
Unused Subs: 1. Mason INTERLANDI, 12. Jordan WILKES
Yellow Cards: Theodoridis 36’, Lombardo 58’, Kounavelis 69’
Red Cards: Hayne 35’
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.