By Daniel Campos (@francisfields)

Sunshine George Cross is ruing its missed opportunities, with just a lone goal in the first half giving FC Bulleen Lions all three points on Saturday afternoon at Chaplin Reserve.

A first half goal by Takanori Nishimoto was all Bulleen needed to take the three points in Round 3 of the PS4 NPL 1 West competition.

Proceedings commenced with the home side commanding the bulk of possession.

Inside 11 minutes, a spill under pressure from Bulleen goalkeeper Matt Banovic enabled Leon Osei to take advantage for a shot at goal, but the visitors got back in numbers and managed to clear off the goal line.

The chances kept coming for Sunshine, with Slaven Vranesevic and Damien Rastocic’s free kicks going narrowly over the bar, with Banovic beaten on both occassions.

At the half hour, Bulleen managed to break down the left wing through Gianne De Nittis, with a quick free kick catching the home side by surprise.

The quick break was played into the box, and Takanori Nishimoto met it at full pace, duly slotting it past the keeper.

Minutes before the break, Bulleen had shouts for a pass-back to goal denied by the referee.

A swooping ball cut through the Sunshine defence, and Matthew Oghanna could do little but attempt to clear, with goalkeeper Robert Santilli claiming the clearance. The referee ruled it unintentional, and play continued.

After half-time, the hosts had a goal disallowed from a corner kick due to a foul on goalkeeper Banovic.

Just past the hour mark, the visiting custodian was called in to action and responded well, with two fine saves in the space of a minute, denying Osei from point-blank, and coming out quickly to substitute Bozidar Lojanica’s feet.

With 15 minutes to go, the home side piled on the pressure with substitute Andrew Cassar trying his luck from long range twice only to see his efforts agonisingly wide.

Cassar’s injection was exactly what manager Tony Ciantar was looking for, looking to destabilise Bulleen’s tight off-ball structure.

With five minutes to go, Osei was left to rue his best chance of the game.

He did superbly by fending off his marker with only Matt Banovic to beat, but the keeper smothered his effort well and earned Bulleen the three points.

FC Bulleen Lions coach Domenic Barba said he went away content with his side’s tactical display and rigidness.

The manager admitted there was work to be done, but said Nishimoto’s creativity and vision could be exploited more when going forward.

MATCH DETAILS

Bulleen Lions 1 (Nishimoto 31’) defeated Sunshine George Cross 0 at Chaplin Reserve

Sunshine George Cross: 1. Robert SANTILLI, 3. Martin MASON, 4. Brandon SCERRI, 5. Christopher DIB, 12. Matthew OGHANNA (9. Bozidar LOJANICA 58’), 15. Nemanja LOJANICA, 8. Slaven VRANESEVIC (11. Anthony CASSAR 72’), 6.Damien RASTOCIC (10. Adrian LOGOZZO 62’), 18. Leon OSEI, 13. Chris ANTONIADIS, 19. Ajayi ADAMSON.

Unused Subs: 21. Akim ABDUL, 16. Samuel ANTONIADIS

Yellow Cards: 40’ 3.Martin MASON, 91’ 13. Chris Antoniadis

Red Cards: Nil.

FC Bulleen Lions: 1. Matt BANOVIC, 3. Will ABBOTT, 4. Samual BORGHESI, 6. Bardhi HYSOLI, 8. Matteo BALLAN, 10. Takanori NISHIMOTO, 11. Gianni DE NITTIS, 12. Eli LUTTMER 15. Billy ROMAS (31. Dylan BRESOLIN 49’) 18. Felix ROSMAN, 21. Andrew MULLETT

Unused Subs: 17. Anton NARDELLA 2. Dean ROMAS, 22. Stefan RANKOVIC, 13. Dean LORENZI

Yellow Cards: 77’ 12. Eli Luttmer

Red Cards: Nil.