By Chris Hearn (@_Chris Hearn)

A second-half brace to Jason Hayne has handed Green Gully consecutive wins for the first time this season, as it defeated Bentleigh Greens 3-2 at Green Gully Reserve.



Matthew Sanders opened the scoring for the visitors, before Bentleigh came roaring back through Luke Pilkington and Wayne Wallace to take the lead with 30 minutes to play.

Gully would not be denied though in a week where coach Aaron Symons tendered his resignation, as Hayne scored twice in five minutes to hand his side victory.

The blustery conditions made fluent football hard to come by, but Bentleigh got into its rhythm quicker and created good openings, only to be denied by Kieran Gonzalez in the Gully goal.

The defensive solidity gave the home side something to build upon, and it went ahead from a set piece.


Andy Vargas's corner was aimed at his brother Rodrigo Vargas, and the veteran defender guided a perfect header across goal for Sanders to nod home.



Bentleigh looked to hit back immediately and did so through Pilkington, as he cut in from the left to fire an unstoppable drive past Gonzalez.

The momentum swung to and fro as the first half drew to a close, but neither side was able to create any real opportunities.


The second half began with the rain getting heavier, which stifled the creativity of both sides.



Luc Jeggo started to dictate play and Bentleigh capitalised. Wallace slotted home for the visitors, leaving Gully with a mountain to climb in the remaining 30 minutes.


Osagie Ederado was brought on immediately after and had an instant impact.



Hayne found space on the right wing and his cross found Ederaro who was fouled on the penalty spot.

Hayne took responsibility and fired calmly past Stuart Webster to level the scores at 2-2. 



Hayne struck again on 67 minutes, latching onto Daniel Jones' smart exit-ball and beating his marker to hit one past Webster with a stunning finish at the near post.



Bentleigh was forced to chase the game, but struggled to find a way past the deep-lying Gully defence. Gully youngster Ardian Vuniqi, who was otherwise faultless at left-back, slipped on the edge of the area and Bentleigh found the back of the net.

The linesman flagged for offside, however, with the Bentleigh coaching staff furious at the decision.

Gully's defence was marshalled well by Roddy Vargas as it held on for its second win in as many weeks.

Striker Andy Vargas was pleased with the win and looked forward to his side’s clash with Heidelberg next week.

"It was an important win today, but we have to have respect for Heidelberg. They're a good side,” Vargas said.

Bentleigh coach John Anastasiadis was visibly disappointed with the loss.

"The boys just weren't good enough today and we'll certainly make some changes for next week,” Anastasiadis said.

Anastasiadis also felt his side was denied a legitimate equaliser.

"I thought it was a goal, I'm surprised he gave it offside,” he said

MATCH DETAILS



Green Gully 3 (Sanders 14’, Hayne 62, 67’) defeated Bentleigh Greens 2 (Pilkington 19’, Wallace 59’) at Green Gully Reserve

Green Gully: 1. Kieran GONZALEZ (GK), 2. Daniel JONES, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 8. Jason HAYNE (11. Jem BERKANT 87’), 9. Brent FISHER (20. Osagie EDERARO 58’), 10. Ratip CILELI, 12. Mathew SANDERS, 16. Sean HARDING, 17. Andy VARGAS (7. Jeffrey FLEMING 81’), 19. Ardian VUNIQI, 21. Brian VANEGA

Unused Subs: 23. Akim ABDUL (GK), 4. Mitchell BISSINGER

Yellow Cards: Gonzalez (16’), A. Vargas (22’)

Red Cards: None

Bentleigh Greens: 1. Stuart WEBSTER, 2. Thomas MATHEWS, 5. Jack WEBSTER, 24. Luke PILKINGTON, 3. James CUMMING, 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS (6. Ross ARCHIBALD 71’), 8. Wayne WALLACE (14. Anthony PROIA 78’), 17. Luc JEGGO, 7. Jamie DE ABREU (9. Luke O’DEA 68’), 10. David STIRTON, 11. Brent McGRATH

Unused subs: 19. Liam MCCORMICK, 21. Alistair BRAY (GK)

Yellow Cards: Wallace (52’)

Red Cards: None


Image credit: Graeme Furlong