By: BILLY GREEN
Photo: SMFC
South Melbourne remains undefeated after a 1-0 win over Avondale FC at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night.
The home team was dominant in possession in the first half, and it paid off as it scored the only goal of the match through striker Milos Lujic early on.
After a draw last week to end its four-game win streak against Port Melbourne, South Melbourne was looking to get themselves back on the winners’ list.
Perfect conditions at Albert Park saw the hosts open and seize control of the game. An inside ball from Lujic to Matthew Theodore could have been a real chance, but was shut down by the referee with a close offside.
Soon after, a cross from South’s Andy Brennan could hace resulted in a disastrous error after some indecisiveness from Avondale's defence saw the ball flash across the goal, and past goalkeeper Frazer Siddall.
Brennan continued to show his composed skill from the wing, and centred the ball perfectly onto the feet of Lujic between two defenders, who tapped it in for a South goal in the 19th minute.
Avondale responded, particularly through Jonathan Munoz, whose hard work was rewarded with a shot on goal, but his shot flew well above the cross-bar.
The combination and class of South’s Brennan and Nicholas Epifano led the attack for the home team and set up multiple opportunities for its strikers.
As the second half began, Avondale striker Aleksiy Khrapko stepped up, and passed it through to Christopher Irwin for a goal, only for it to be called offside.
Soon after, Khrapko had an attempt of his own. From outside the square, he slammed in a shot which rattled the cross-bar.
The game opened up into some end-to-end football, going from a corner to South saw a missed header by Lujic, to Avondale desparately seeking an equaliser.
Avondale had the majority of possession late in the second half, but weren't able to pierce the Souths' defence and get its illusive goal.
South Melbourne 1 (Lujic 19’) defeated Avondale FC 0 at Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne: 1. Nikola Roganovic, 2. Tim Mala, 4. Michael Eagar, 5. Luke Adams, 7. Nick Epifano, 8. Mathew Theodore (23. Andy Kecojovic 68’), 9. Milos Lujic, 11. Brad Norton, 12. Iqbal Jawadi, 13. Dane Milovanovic, 17. Andy Brennan (21. Jake Barker-Daisy 83’)
Unused Sub(s): 6. Bonel Obradovic, 27. Leigh Minopoulos, 22. Rory Brian
Yellow Cards: Mala 28’, Milovanovic 24’
Red Cards: None
AFC: 20. Frazer Siddall, 4. Chris Irwin, 5. Jeffrey Fleming, 9. Alex Khrapko, 10. Burakhan Koca, 13. Michele Crazia, 15. Zoran Pajic, 16. Jungho Kim (8. Simon Tolli 75’), 17. Phil Riccobene, 18. Jonathan Munoz (31. Omar Ammache 60’), 19. Jason Principato
Unused Sub(s): 1. Mark Spiteri, 6. Anthony Strano, 24. Resit Culculoglu
Yellow Card(s): Principato 63’, Tolli 89’
Red Card(s): None
Last Modified on 09/05/2015 09:21
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