By Matthew Conversano

A fantastic display of football at CB Smith on Saturday afternoon saw Moreland Zebras clinch three points from FC Bulleen Lions at the death, in a top of the table clash in NPL 1 West on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Charalambous’ 93rd minute winner was enough to secure a well deserved win for Moreland.

Right from the onset, both teams showed good signs of things to come with neither side looking to settle for the draw.

Just on 12 minutes, the first chance of the match was brought about by a brilliant piece of interplay between Moreland’s James Papadimtriou, Danny Charalambous and Bale Micovski, with the latter eventually being slipped through into space in box.

However, he was unable to convert the build-up play into a goal as his shot struck the framework.

Three minutes later, Bulleen constructed their first chance of the game as an expertly struck volley from Felix Rosman flew just over the bar.

Despite plenty of shots on goal from both sides in the mid section of the half, neither team really tested the keepers.

Bulleen looked sure to take the lead on 42 minutes as a goalmouth scramble following a corner saw both sets of players lunging to the ball.

However it was Moreland’s Steve Martin who got the all-important touch to clear the ball away.

The last kick of the first half saw a long range strike from Josh McMonagle-Ihasz hover just past the left post which seemed to put newly transferred Bulleen custodian Stefaan Sardelic in a spot of bother.

The high tempo of the match showed no signs of deteriorating in the second half

Takanori Nishimoto did his best to tilt the game in the Lions’ favor on 53 minutes, but his shot flew across the face of goal.

Following that strike, Bulleen looked to have the momentum as they pushed for the opener while Moreland did their best to retain the deadlock.

Some magnificent build-up play from the Bulleen front men resulted in a volley from Gianni De Nittis on 63 minutes, but his strike didn't look to worry Moreland keeper Nikola Kostadinovski.

Nishimoto proved an ever present danger to the Moreland defence as his left footed long range strike looked to have gone in as it struck the side netting, much to the confusion of a few passionate Bulleen supporters.

As the game looked to be dead and buried, with both teams seemingly holding out for the final whistle, the 93rd minute saw 18-year-old Charalambous prove to be Moreland’s saviour as his sweetly struck left footed strike curled into the side of the net, and earning Moreland the three points.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland Zebras 1 (Charlambous 93’) defeated Bulleen Lions 0 at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner

Moreland Zebras: 1. Nikola KOSTADINOVSKI, 2. Simon SYMEOY, 4. Steve MARTIN, 5. Daniel PETROV, 6. Adam CENTOFANTI, 8. Joshua McMONAGLE-IHASZ, 10. Danny CHARALAMBOUS, 11. Bale MICOVSKI (20. Baggio YOUSIF 55’), 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU, 16. Mile MEDJETOVIC, 19. James KELLY.

Unused Subs: 21. Francesco GRECO, 23. Joshua BERRIOS, 3. Johnny CRIVELLI, 24. Joshua SABIDUSSI

Yellow Cards: Bale Micovski 23’, James Kelly 80’, Daniel Petrov 83’

Red Cards: Nil

Bulleen Lions: 1. Stefaan SARDELIC, 3. William ABBOT, 4. Samual BORGHESI (Matt DIMECH 84’), 5. Lewis WADDELL, 6. Bardhi HYSOLI, 8. Matteo BALLAN, 10. Takanori NISHIMOTO, 11. Gianni DE NITTIS (33. Davide CARDAMONE 86’), 15. Billy ROMAS (13. Dean LORENZI 67’), 18. Felix ROSMAN, 20. Andrew MULLETT

Unused Sub: 21. Luke GALLO, 23. Edison DONARI

Yellow Cards: Billy Romas 32’

Red Cards: Nil