by Daniel Campos (@francisfields)

Goulburn Valley Suns took three points in its trip to CB Smith Reserve against Moreland Zebras in the cross-conference Round 19 of the 2015 PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues Victoria 1 competition.

This encounter was expected to be tight with both sides looking to grab three important points, and only costly mistakes would separate Moreland Zebras and Goulburn Valley Suns.

Craig Carley began his assault with a piece of individual brilliance on ten minutes dribbling past his marker with enough space to pull the trigger but his effort went wide of the mark, with an attentive Kostadinovski in goal.

On 21 minutes Philip Petrovski between Goulburn Valley sticks was forced into a full-stretch save bringing him into action for the first time. 

Josh Berríos got himself a good opportunity five minutes later to get the Zebras in front with a potent header from a resulting corner kick but it fell straight into the hands of Petrovski.

Stuart Vance had a good chance on 34 minutes to put the visitors in front with a header that brought Nikola Kostadinovski into a quick save to parry the ball out for a corner.

Suns coach Kalafatis brought on Vani Shamoon a minute later, which was a key moment later in the match as a result.

Zebras’ James Papadimitriou showed his maturity with quick, fast thinking and blistering speed on the ball to find space on the left wing with his shot forcing Petrovski to save, but only to parry the ball loose for Danny Charalambous to finish.

The hosts were 1-0 up and thrilled with the opener.

The second half changed as Craig Carley converted from the spot on 55 minutes.

Barely two minutes later, first half substitute Vani Shamoon pounced onto a loose ball to shoot from distance, hitting the left post and sailing in past Kostadinovski for the visitors to take the lead. 

On the hour mark, Zebras' goalscorer Danny Charalambous curled in an ambitious indirect free-kick that sailed across the goalmouth with nobody connecting onto a final touch.

Berríos again had a chance on 66 minutes, connecting from a resulting free-kick awarded from a handball and somehow the ball bounced in direction of the goal, looking to have beaten Petrovski but it sailed wide. 

The Zebras looked desperate to regain possession in the opposition half and find an equaliser after leading for the vast majority of the match.

Danny Charalambous and Baggio Yousif continued to pile on chances with 20 minutes to go as his effort was on target forcing Petrovski onto another top save for a corner.

With up to seven men pushing forward, it left gaps in midfield for the visitors to take advantage had they regained the ball back.

Joey Hogarty on 77 minutes could have extended the visitors' lead with a powerful low shot from a quick offload by dangerman Craig Carley that forced Kostadinovski onto a comfortable save.

Moreland Zebras continually kept pushing forward but frustration grew with offsides awarded against them and tired legs eventually taking its toll.

With ten minutes remaining on the clock, Goulburn Valley suffered the loss of leader Sekulovski to an injury while Petrovski in goals produced four key saves - all engineered by the Zebras’ creative man Danny Charalambous. 

Triumphant coach Nik Kalafatis reflected after the match: "We have leaders in the team and they step up every week, and sooner or later we get results," Kalafatis said.

"Today the boys worked hard to get the win and we needed this against a tough side, the second-placed team in the NPL 1 West competition.

“Our only downside is that three of our players have got injured including Naum Sekulovski and Cody Sellwood who hasn’t had much game time this year.

“There are 27 points to play for the remainder of the season. Box Hill United for example are strong and anybody can beat anybody in the competition. We got nine games to go and seven of them are at home so it’s a big opportunity.

“If we don’t get promoted, at the very least we will show what we can do. It’s not over until it’s over.”

Match Details:

Goulburn Valley Suns 2 (Craig Carley 55', Vani Shamoon 56') defeated Moreland Zebras 1 (37' Danny Charalambous) at CB Smith Reserve.

Moreland Zebras: 1. Nikola KOSTADINOVSKI , 3. Johnny CRIVELLI (24. Joshua SABIDUSSI 75’), 4. Steve MARTIN, 5. Daniel PETROV, 8. Joshua McMONAGLE-IHASZ (6. Adam CENTOFANTI 89’), 10. Danny CHARALAMBOUS, 11. Baggio YOUSIF, 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 22. Ryan MURRAY, 23. Joshua BERRIOS.

Subs Not Used: 21. Alex STOJANOVSKI, 15. William NUTTAL, 17. Chris TRIANTAFILOPOULOS, 

Yellow Cards: 4. Steve MARTIN 2’

Red Cards: Nil.

Goulburn Valley Suns: 1. Philip PETROVSKI, 2. Cody SELLWOOD, 4. Naum SEKULOVSKI (17. Adrian CORBO 80’), 5. Jordan MONTAGNER, 3. Greg NASH, 8. Jamie ENGLAND, 7. Abel FESSEHA (20. Vani SHAMOON 35’), 10. Fahed ALGHAZALY, 18. Stuart VANCE, 21. Joey HOGARTY (11. Shaun KANE 81’), 9. Craig CARLEY.

Subs Not Used: 12. Firaol LIKASSA, 17. Adrian CORBO, 22. Muntadar ALGHAZALY

Yellow Cards: Nil.

Red Cards: Nil.