By Matthew Conversano

A hotly contested match between Sunshine George Cross and Dandenong City has seen the two mid-table sides battle out a 1-1 draw in the second cross-conference round of the PlayStation 4 NPL 1.

A first half goal from Sunshine's Chris Antoniadis was cancelled out late in the second half by a header from City's Keegan Ziada, with a draw a fair reflection of both sides.

A very dull and timid opening 20 minutes saw little more than an aerial bombardment of both defences to no avail.

The first real chance came just after 25 minutes when Dandenong's Sean Seavill looked to liven up proceedings with a stunning bicycle kick, which was saved comfortably by Sunshine custodian James Kapuranovski.

Seemingly spurred on by his earlier effort at the spectacular, Seavill sent an equally impressive long range volley fizzing past Kapuranovski's right hand post just on the 30th minute mark.

Dandenong's period of dominance was closed out by a lovely chip on the half volley from frontman Ashley Cattermole which beat the keeper and the left hand goal post.

Against the run of play, Sunshine grabbed the lead after 38 minutes with their first real chance of the afternoon thanks to a brilliant turn and volley from Chris Antoniadis, which rocketed into the bottom right corner, leaving custodian Damir Salcin helpless.

The second half saw George Cross do its very best maintain its lead, resulting in a scrappy half of football.

With the exception of a quality smother from George Cross keeper Kapuranovski that denied Keegan Ziada the equaliser, Sunshine's defensive mindset proved very effective.

But Dandenong's breakthrough came after 79 minutes, when Sunshine defender Nemanja Lojanica was deemed to have handled the ball on the edge of the box.

The resulting free kick was flicked on off the head of Keegan Ziada and flew into the top left corner.

Next round Dandenong will look to improve on its result as it travels to Ballarat next Saturday night and Sunshine plays Springvale White Eagles away.

 

MATCH DETAILS

 

Sunshine George Cross 1 (Antoniadis 38’) drew with Dandenong City 1 (Ziada 79') at KG Chaplin Reserve, Sunshine.

Sunshine George Cross: 21. James Kapuranovski, 2. Eddie Cetkin, 12. Matthew Oghanna, 5. Christopher Dib, 15. Nemanja Lojanica, 17. Jacob Attard, 8. Slaven Vranesevic (16. Jayden Mercieca 90+4’), 14. Joseph Sieh (10. Adrian Logozzo 90+1’), 19. Adamson Ajayi, 9. Bozidar Lojanica, 13. Christopher Antoniadis (11. Anthony Cassar 78’).

Yellow Cards: N. Lojanica 77’, Oghanna 88’, Cassar 90+1’

Unused Subs: 1. Jonathon Harbogolou, 18. Nathan Liberto

Dandenong City: 1. Damir Salcin, 6. John Carroll, 3. Chris Ross, 2. Brad Clarke, 12. Shaun Flipovic, 7. Keegan Ziada, 9. Ashley Cattermole (20. Goran Jozecjic 89’), 10. Sean Seavill, 11. Andy Jerez (15. David Diiorio 70’), 5. Alex Rojas (8. Dario Matkovic 54’), 4. Robbie Wynne.

Yellow Cards: Salcin 45+2’, Cattermole 54’, Matkovic 60’, Jozecjic 90+3’

Unused Subs: 42. Anthony Casset, 13. Anthony Mijac