By NATHAN SAKELLARIOU

Springvale White Eagles have taken a point from second-placed Eastern Lions in a tight encounter on Saturday afternoon at White Eagles Stadium.

A first half goal to Hernan De Rito looked to have put the home side on track to get an unexpected win, but Shaun Kenny’s equaliser on the stroke of half time put the Lions back on even terms.

Early on in the game, Springvale looked dangerous from set-pieces, with an early corner putting Eastern Lions goalkeeper Andrew Lightfoot under pressure, only for him to produce a great point-blank save.

Conditions favoured the hosts, as Eastern Lions was restricted to just have chances for most of the opening stanza with strong winds hampering their efforts.

Springvale took a deserved lead in the 38th minute through a beautiful finish from Hernan De Rito.

Milan Jovanovic played in Hernan De Rito in after his neat touch took him past Shaun Kenny, and cooly finishing with a chip from six yards over the advancing Andrew Lightfoot.
But the home side wouldn’t be going into the half in front, with Shaun Kenny’s equalizing on the stroke of half time.

A long throw was headed away to the edge of the box, where Shaun Kenny lay waiting.

His side-footed volley was cleared off the line, before he picked up the rebound, and put it into the roof of the net from close range.

The sides went into the half level.

Four minutes into the second half Munyaradzi Nyadzayo would force Eagles keeper Nebojsa Vujic into a great save after a brilliant outside of the foot half-volley from 20 yards.

Vujic was forced into another great save a minute later after saving Chris Pace’s diving header at his near post from a Nyadzayo cross.

The Lions would continue to give the Eagles’ defence trouble from long throw ins, but couldn’t muster the winner in a half of football that was firmly in their favour.

 

MATCH DETAILS:

Springvale White Eagles 1 (Hernan De Rito 37’) drew with Eastern Lions 1 (Shaun Kenny 45’) at White Eagles Stadium, Keysborough

SWE XI: 1. Nebojsa VUJIC, 2. Jordan BALLERINI, 5. Slavisa SARIC, 33. Zarko MILOJEVIC, 7. Keletso MTEMBU, 8. Hernan DE RITO, 10. Stojan MILOJEVIC, 13. Hamish MILLAR, 15. Milan JOVANOVIC, 21. Dejan ERAKOVIC, 23. Marcus HOLMES

Substitutes: 30. Jeremy SANDOVAL, 4. Simo JOVANOVIC, 5. Scott MILLAR, 3. Vedran TOMIC

EL XI: 1. Andrew LIGHTFOOT, 2. William ELLIS, 3. Matthew PARRY, 4. Chris PACE, 5. Thomas FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI, 10. Philip AJAO, 11. Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, 12. David McKESSY, 17. Shaun KENNY

Substitutes: 21. Rob HAVERCROFT, 8. Mitch BEAMISH, 13. Jarrah CLEAR, 14. Jordan HORN, 15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS