By: DAMIR KULAS (@DamirKulas)

Photo: MARK AVELLINO

Port Melbourne and Werribee City have played out a goalless draw in a contest that started brightly, but soon descended into one devoid of any clear-cut scoring opportunities at JL Murphy Reserve on Friday Night.

The hosts came into the contest looking to put two straight defeats behind them while Werribee was looking for its first win of the campaign.

In an exciting start to the game, the Sharks were first to launch a meaningful effort on goal when the in-form Kamal Ibrahim forced opposing goalkeeper Frano Saric into a good save down low after a good team move found the attacker free in the box.

Up the other end, Werribee looked bright with Simon Zappia collecting a Christopher Cristaldo cross before forcing Sharks goalkeeper Stjepan Gal into a smart save.

Port playmaker Andrew Milicevic was next to test out Saric when he fired in a stinging shot which the Werribee custodian spilled before being fouled by the on-coming Trent Rixon who picked up the game’s first caution.

Ibrahim then caused panic in the Werribee defence when his shot was deflected wide for a corner before hitting the crossbar from the resulting corner.

The former Melbourne Heart winger went close again when his long-range shot went narrowly wide past Saric’s left-hand post.

The visitors had two efforts before the break as the exciting attacking duo of Zappia and Cristaldo caused the Port defence problems with Gal having to deny the former, before the latter’s dipping volley effort from the edge of the box hit the roof of the net.

The game’s best chance however would come on the stroke of half-time as Ryan Oppermann broke free but was denied by a scrambling Saric who diverted the ball out for a corner kick as the sides.

Werribee started the second half on the front foot and a corner saw defender Steve Cudrig’s goal-bound strike cleared of the line by a Sharks defender.

The rest of the game lacked much of the intensity and chances of the first-half, with the tricky Cristaldo causing the hosts plenty of problems as he tried his luck from distance before Gal almost made a mess of it with a spill which he managed to collect just in time as City players looked to cash in on the rebound.

Milicevic made himself a good opportunity from nothing as his run from the right saw him take a shot which was forced wide by Saric.

The proceedings ended soon after in what was a pretty even contest as the Sharks winless streak extends to three games while Nino Ragusa’s men are undefeated away from home but have yet to collect a victory from their nine opening encounters this season.

 

Match details

Port Melbourne Sharks 0 drew with Werribee City 0 at JL Murphy Reserve

Port Melbourne: 1. Stjepan Gal (GK), 2. Andrew Viola (3. James Riccobene 80’), 6. Chris Grossman, 9. Trent Rixon (8. Brent Fisher 69’), 10. Andrew Milicevic, 11. Nicholas Krousoratis (20. Julius Davies 51’), 14. Kamal Ibrahim, 16. Alan Kearney, 19. Shaun Kelly, 22. Ryan Oppermann, 23. Conor Reddan

Unused Subs: 5. Nick Tzoulis, 25. Michael Stark (GK)

Yellow Card(s): Rixon 16, Ibrahim 58

Red Card(s): None

Werribee City: 1. Frano Saric, 2. Michael Sims, 3. Ryan Filipovic, 6. Anthony Ragusa (11. Bobby Vidanovski 79’), 7. Simon Zappia, 9. Evan Batsis (14. Julien Cassano 85’), 10. Christopher Cristaldo, 13. Milan Savic, 15.Nicola Carafiglio, 19. Rob Naumvski, 23. Steve Cudrig

Unused Sub: 16. Angus Martin

Yellow Card(s): Cristaldo 73

Red Card(s): None