By Andrew Bishara (@_andrewbishara)

Sunshine George Cross has claimed a valuable three points with a 1-0 win over Moreland City at Campbell Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Slaven Vranesevic's goal early on proved to be enough in a game that saw both sides squander plenty of chances.

The first 15 minutes saw Sunshine monopolise possession, but it struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities.

A mistimed header from City's Blaine Burrell saw Vranesevic pounce on the loose ball and give the visitors the lead.

Racing through on goal on his lonesome, Vranesevic calmly rolled the ball past City goalkeeper Brandon Galgano.

Moreland slowly grew in the game as it pressed up the pitch and its best chance came to Osman Kose.

The winger struck the ball from outside the box, but the dipping shot was palmed away by Sunshine goalkeeper Robert Santilli.

The second half exploded into life with both sides going for the jugular and trading blow after blow, but failing to take their chances.

Kose went close again as he scooped up the ball and unleashed a half volley, but the ball swerved past the post.

The visitors then had a chance of their own when Adamson Ajayi saw his blistering shot pushed around the post by Galgano.

Sunshine’s Bozidar Lojanica had the next chance when he found space on the edge of the box, but his blistering shot sizzled just wide.

The action kicked up a gear as both sides then had golden chances within a minute of each other.

City's Mo Kurucu first saw his curling shot collected by Santilli, before Ajayi blew a fantastic chance to seal it by spraying his shot wide when alone in the box.

Kurucu then had another fantastic opportunity of his own when he found himself one-on-one with Santilli.

But the goalkeeper made a magnificent save to see the shot bounce wide around the goal.

It was then Gagano's turn to make a brilliant diving save when he denied Ajayi yet again, after a one-two saw the winger break into the box.

The final ten minutes was helter skelter as both sides went for the win, but in the end, Sunshine held on to claim the three points.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland City 0 lost to Sunshine George Cross 1 (Slaven Vranesevic 14')

 

Moreland City: 1. Brandon GALGANO, 21. Nedj SAHIN, 18. Orrie KARA, 19. Blaine BURRELL, 6. Julien DOS SANTOS (20. Rob BAZZANO 48’), 2. Yang TOU-YENG, 8. Corey THOMAS, 23. Mo KURRUCU (14. Vlad KHAMEES 83’), 9. Gareth RICHARDS, 17. Liam BRIAN (11. Kam SIMCEK 75’), 7. Osman KOSE

Unused Subs: 16. Nathan GOURZELAS, 4. Quinn McDonald

Yellow Cards: THOMAS 85’

Red Cards: Nil.

 

Sunshine George Cross: 1. Robert SANTILLI, 2. Eddie CETKIN, 3. Martin MASON, 4. Brandon SCERRI (10. Adrian LOGOZZO 73’), 5. Christopher DIB, 6. Damien RASTOCIC (11. Anthony CASSAR 55’), 8. Slaven VRANESEVIC, 15. Nemanja LOJANICA, 17. Jacob ATTARD, 9. Bozidar LOJANICA (12. Matthew OGHANNA 85’), 19. Adamson AJAYI

Unused Subs: 21. JonathonHARBOGLOU, 14. Anthony SIEH

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.