By Matthew Conversano

A tight contest at KG Chaplin Reserve on Saturday afternoon saw Sunshine George Cross’ 1 goal advantage prove enough to hold off a dominant yet wasteful Melbourne City.

 

Georgies’ substitute Amara Kromah made an immediate impact following his introduction as he put Sunshine 1-0 up with a header on 25 minutes which would ultimately prove to be the match winner.

 

A fairly dull opening quarter of an hour saw Sunshine nullify the opposition as City’s many half chances faltered in the final third.

 

It took 24 minutes before either of the two goalkeepers would be tested, as 17 year old Ryan Dragovic burst into the box and forced a terrific save from City custodian Yianni Skiliros.

 

Ayodeji Omoboye’s early injury-forced substitution proved to be a blessing in disguise as Georgies went 1-0 up with the resulting corner as Dragovic stepped up and found Omoboye’s replacement Amara Kromah in the box who headed home from close range via the fingertips of Skiliros.

 

The remainder of the half saw very little in terms of goalmouth action as Sunshine went into the break with the goal advantage.

 

The second half began just as dull as the first as George Cross looked to retain their 1-0 lead over the visitors.

 

Despite looking dangerous throughout the half, City failed to convert their dominance into score board pressure as their ball movement in the front third lacked conviction. A common theme of the afternoon.

 

Their first chance of the second half took 25 minutes to come to pass after a clever dink by Luka Prelevic in a 1 v 1 duel with Sunshine keeper Robert Santilli looked sure to bounce into the net if not for a terrific goal line clearance from Christopher Dib.

 

Georgies’ best opportunity for a second goal came on 86 minutes when youth product Nathan Liberto sent a terrific ball into the box where Dragovic sent his looping header over Skiliros and agonizingly onto the crossbar.

 

Despite dominating for long periods of the match, City’s impotence in front of goal would prove costly as they walked away from KG Chaplin Reserve empty handed.

 

 

MATCH DETAILS

 

Sunshine George Cross 1 (Kromah 25’)defeated Melbourne City 0 at KG Chaplin Reserve, Sunshine.

 

Sunshine George Cross: 1. Robert SANTILLI (GK), 2. Eddie CETKIN, 3. Mason MARTIN, 5. Christopher DIB, 18. Denis DASOUL, 17. Jacob ATTARD, 13. Liam O’CONNELL (8. Daniel HUTCHISON 68’), 16 Nathan LIBERTO, 7. Ryan DRAGOVIC, 9. James MICEVSKI (11. Anthony CASSAR 55’), 19. Ayodeji OMOBOYE (15. Amara KROMAH 19’).

 

Unused Subs: 21. James KAPURANOVSKI, 14. Muhamad CHAWK,

 

Yellow Cards: Nil

 

Red Cards: Nil

 

 

Melbourne City: 20. Yianni SKILIROS (GK), 4. Jordan HALL, 5. Leo ATHANSIOU, 8. Ratip CILELI (19. Anthony TARANTO 58’), 9. Marcus DIMANCHE, 10. Luka PRELEVIC, 12. Anthony RIZK (6. Phil PETRESKI 45’) 14. Baki EFE, 15. Nicolas GONZALEZ, 16. Matthew MILLAR (7. Hernan ESPINDOLA 45’), 22. Mehdi SARWARI

 

Unused Subs: 1. Yaren SOZER,3. Nicholas SYMEOY

 

Yellow Cards: Nil

 

Red Cards: Nil