By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)

Hume City returned to winning ways and inflicted Northcote City’s seventh defeat of the season in a comfortable 2-0 victory at John Cain Memorial Reserve on Sunday.

Hume benefitted from a goal in each half, with the first coming from John Buceto in the 43rd minute before Melbourne Victory youth player Anthony Proia sealed the victory in the 63rd minute.

The first meaningful scoring opportunity fell to Buceto four minutes in, with his shot sail over the crossbar.

Hume looked the likely of the two sides to threaten on goal, and red flags must have been raised in the minds of Northcote’s defenders after two gilt-edged chances for Hume were deemed to be offside.  

The recently released Melbourne City youngster Jeremy Walker was a source of worry for the home side.

The Tasmanian’s run in behind Northcote’s backline almost led to him opening his account for his new side.

Stand-in captain Shane Rexhepi found room at a Hume set piece to header into the crossbar and have the ball bounce back into his path to bundle over the line. The goal was disallowed for offside however.

Two minutes before the end of the interval, Buceto found space on the right to cut onto his left and open the scoring for Hume, beating Northcote custodian Chris Theodoridis at his near post.
 
In the second half, Northcote worked hard to find its way back into the game.  

Youth product Wade Dekker looked lively, whipping in a dangerous cross from the left wing to find Trent Rixon in the middle of the box, but the Northcote poacher was unable to find his touch and the chance was lost.

Northcote’s Jonathan Bounas found his namesake Jonathan Munoz with a delightful pass just outside the box.  

Munoz took the pass first time with a strong hit from distance but was unable to find the target.

A breakdown in communication in defence and a poorly executed high defensive line gave Hume attacker Proia free rein to run on goal.

The youngster let rip and expertly finished to double Hume’s lead and ultimately break Northcote’s chances of a comeback.  


Hume City coach Louie Acevski stressed the importance of getting back to winning ways, following his side’s shock midweek loss to State League 1 South-East side South Springvale in the Dockerty Cup.

“Our last two were poor results, so it was very important to come here today and give 100 per cent,” Acevski said.

“I’m very happy with the boys’ performance today.”

With the transfer window opening on Monday, Acevski said he would be “talking to a couple of players”.

Northcote City coach Goran Lozanovski said it was now “desperation mode”, with his side only four points adrift of the relegation zone.

“Picking up points is crucial, and losing games at home is not ideal,” Lozanovski said.

The Northcote boss left the door open to possible signings during the transfer window.

“Not at this stage, but there might be a few (transfers),” he said.

MATCH DETAILS

Northcote City 0 lost to Hume City 2 (John Buceto 43’, Anthony Proia 63’) at Jon Cain Memorial Reserve [HT: 0-1]

Northcote City: 22. Chris Theodoridis (GK), 7. Jonathan Munoz, 4. Kristian Konstantinidis, 15. Wade Dekker, 23. Jonathan Bounas (14. Michael Catalano, 77’), 2. Adrian Chiappetta (5. Phillip Petreski HT), 11. Liam Wooding, 16. Greg Lombardo, 3. Tremayne Sadler, 9. Trent Rixon, 8. James Kalifatidis (21. Ersin Kaya 79’)

Unused sub(s): 1. Luke Gavalas, 10. Marino Gasparis

Yellow card(s): 7. Jonathan Munoz 34’

Red card(s): Nil

Hume City: 1. Chris Oldfield (GK), 17. Aaron Turner, 28. Matthew Hennessey, 5. Petar Franjic, 18. John Stojcevski, 13. Shane Rexhepi, 4. Isyan Erdogan (7. Ali Turgut 78’), 11. Kliment Taseski, 24. Jeremy Walker, 9. Anthony Proia, (43. Niko Jackson-Tserexidis 90’) 34. Johnny Buceto (10. Richie Cardozo 52’)

Unused sub(s): 14. Baki Efe, 20. Evan Alexandrow-Ridley

Yellow card(s): 1. Chris Oldfield 61’, 17. Aaron Turner 67’, 7. Ali Turgut 88’, 24. Jeremy Walker 90+2’

Red card(s): Nil

Image credit: Graeme Furlong