Springvale, Melbourne City can't be separated
By Kristian Stojanov (@kikocez)
Springvale White Eagles and Melbourne City have had to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw at White Eagles Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts took the lead early in the first half through Abel Fesseha, but his goal was cancelled out just before half time when Marc Marino fired home from the spot.
The match had its first action after 12 minutes, when Springvale’s Hernan De Rito played through a perfectly timed pass to Abel Fesseha, who calmly fired across goalkeeper Yaren Sozer to make it 1-0.
Melbourne City kicked into gear and created its first chance in the 24th minute when a poorly timed back pass from Springvale defender Jordan Ballerini was picked up by Ratip Cileli, only to have his effort saved by Springvale goalkeeper Vujic.
The shot was parried into the path of Espindola, but Vujic again pulled off a wonderful double save.
Springvale thought it had made the score 2-0 when Milan Jovanovic was played through one-on-one against Sozer, but had his lofted shot cleared off the line by City captain Philip Petreski.
With five minutes to go until half time, Melbourne City was awarded a penalty. A free kick from Petreski found Wade Dekker, who was pushed by a Springvale defender.
Marc Marino stepped up and converted from the spot. sending Vujic the wrong way to make it 1-1.
Melbourne City thought they would be going into half time with the lead after a dipping shot from Espindola grazed the top of the bar.
The second half started like the first with no real opportunities until the hour mark, when Springvale’s Vuckovic was played through one-on-one, but had his shot saved by Sozer.
The match took a turn on its head when Wade Dekker was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 66th minute, leaving Melbourne City a man down.
Melbourne City thought it had the winner in stoppage time after Stefan Zinni was played onside with only the keeper to beat, only once again to have his effort cleared off the line and out for a corner by Springvale defender Ballerini.
Just as the ref was about to blow for full time, City had one final roll of the dice when Cileli found Anthony Rizk who fired a shot, grazing the top of the bar.
The miss saw the match finish 1-1, with the sides both taking home a share of the spoils.
MATCH DETAILS:
Springvale White Eagles 1 (Fesseha 12’) drew with Melbourne City (Marino 40’ pen.)
Springvale White Eagles: 1. Nebojsa VUJIC, 2. Jordan BALLERINI, 6. Slavisa SARIC, 23. Marcus HOLMES, 13. Hamish MILLAR, 15. Milan JOVANOVIC (5. Scott MILLAR 75’), 17. Sebastian LECAROS, 16. Nemanja SALAMANDIC (7. Keletso MTHEMBU 61’), 11. Danilo VUCKOVIC, 8. Hernan DE RITO, 9. Abel FESSEHA
Unused sub(s):3. Vedran TOMIC, 30. Jeremy SANDOVAL
Yellow card(s): 11. Danilo VUCKOVIC 42’,
Red card(s): nil
Melbourne City: 1. Yaren SOZER, 2. Tyler JAMES, 4. Tomislav FADLJEVIC, 6. Phil PETRESKI, 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA (13. Nick MORTON 75’), 8. Ratip CILELI, 9. Wade DEKKER, 11. Stefan ZINNI, 16. Matthew MILLAR, 19. Anthony TARANTO, 22. Marc MARINO (12. Anthony RIZK 48’)
Unused sub(s): 5. Leo ATHANASIOU 20. Jack WEST-ASTUFI, 17. Joseph MONEK
Yellow card(s): 9. Wade DEKKER 32’, 66’, 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA 63’,
Red card(s): 9. Wade DEKKER 66’
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