By Matthew Conversano

Oakleigh has earned its first points of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria season after securing a vital away win over Avondale FC in a 2-1 thriller.

Two goals from striker Dusan Bosnjak turned an expected loss into a triumphant win for the Cannons, all in the space of five minutes.

Both teams came bursting out of the blocks early with an end-to-end, entertaining opening 20 minutes

The first chance came after just four minutes when Avondale's Simon Tolli was slipped in behind the defensive line but his shot was well blocked by Oakleigh custodian John Honos.

Oakleigh’s first attempt on goal came through Goran Zoric who found himself free in the box, but put his shot wide of the mark.

Avondale looked to have scored the opener after 22 minutes when a corner was put into a dangerous area and led to a goalmouth scramble, which somehow to stayed out of the net, much to the frustration of the Avondale faithful.

The hosts’ 10 minute period of dominance was duly rewarded when a miscommunication in the Oakleigh back four caused their disorganised attempt at an offside trap to be easily broken by Aleksiy Khrapko, who slotted the ball past the hopeful right leg of Honos just on the 36th minute mark.

The remainder of the half was very much one-way traffic as Avondale was looking dangerous with every attack.

The half culminated in a brilliant piece of attacking play from Avondale when a perfect cross found a charging Tolli, whose volley smashed against the crossbar.

The second half saw a more rigid affair between the two sides where physicality trumped technical skill.

Having already been booked in the first half for kicking a dead ball away, Tolli was sent off after 51 minutes for a few choice words directed at the referee which earned him his second yellow card of the day

After the sending off, Avondale looked to slow down the tempo of the match and attempt to hold on to its 1-0 lead, which consequently led to 20 minutes of late challenges and flaring tempers

Just as the game was drawing to a conclusion and an Oakleigh comeback was seeming more and more unlikely, a lifeline was handed to the Cannons in the form of a penalty.

Avondale keeper Anthony Saric coming off his line and was deemed to have clipped Goran Zoric in the box. Dusan Bosjnak confidentally converted the chance.

Oakleigh wasn’t content with just the 1-1 draw as they riskily pushed on for a winner.

The Cannons’ reward came in the 92nd minute, again through Bosjnak, who outmuscled his defender and sent his shot flying into the roof of the net.

It was a dream finish for a side that had yet to pick up a point this season.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Oakleigh Cannons 2 (Bosjnak 87’(P), 90+2') defeated Avondale Heights 1 (Khrapko 36') at Avondale Heights Reserve, Avondale Heights.

Oakleigh Cannons: 76. John Honos, 3. John Black (Kristopher Kioussis 70’), 18. Adam Lecorno, 8. Dusan Bosjnak, 23. Dominic D’Angelo, 15. Jake McLean, 6. Steve Pantelidis (Liam Boland 82’), 10. Dean Piemonte, 12. Tremayne Sadler, 5. Aron Wilford, 19. Goran Zoric

Yellow Cards: Black 40’, Piemonte 59’, Boland 87’

Unused Subs: 35. Evan Kraloglou, 22. George Krommidas, 26. Lampros Itonos

Avondale Heights: 1. Anthony Saric, 4. Chris Irwin, 5. Jeffrey Fleming, 8 Simon Tolli,
9. Alex Khrapko (Jonathan Munoz 66’) , 10. Burakhan Koca (Domenico Marafioti 66’), 13. Michele Crazia, 17. Phillip Riccobene. 19. James Principato (Omar Ammache 87’), 27. Julien Cannizzaro, 28. Anthony Fallone.

Yellow Cards: Saric 36’, Simon Tolli 33’, 51’, Crazia 49’

Red Cards: Simon Tolli 51’

Unused Subs: 20. Frazer Siddal, 6. Anthony Strano