By Daniel Campos (@francisfields)

Bendigo City has cruised to victory with a 1-5 win over Sunshine George Cross on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Chaplin Reserve.

A hat trick from Corey Slevin and a brace from George Slefendorfas led the Bendigo charge, while Chris Antoniadis' early equaliser had little a bearing on an afternoon that was the visitors'.

Before the match, Sunshine George Cross coach Tony Ciantar said it'd be a risky affair, where the game could be decided by a mistake for either side.

But it was the visitors to strike first, taking an early lead through Corey Slevin, who unlocked Sunshine's defence after just six minutes.

Barely four minutes later, Ciantar's side struck back through some route one football, when Bendigo goalkeeper Gianmarco D'Oria failed to deal with a long ball into the box due to the conditions, with the shot bouncing out to Chris Antoniadis who found the back of the net with a neat chip to even the scores.

The hosts had a chance to take the lead minutes later, getting past Bendigo’s ever-present Jason Shade, but his shot was only inches wide.

On the half hour mark, the referee pointed to the spot and Corey Slevin duly converted.

Minutes later Slevin got his hat trick as he managed to connect from a neat cut-in pass by George Slefendorfas to curl the ball past a brave James Kapuranovski.

Despite the good work from target man Bozidar Lojanica, Cassar, and Slaven Vranesevic's work to feed the strikers, Sunshine went into the half down 1-3.

After the break, Kapuranovski was almost caught in possession by a high-presing Slefendorfas, but despite a slip, managed to play his way out of danger through Christopher Dib.

Opportunities did fall through as D’Oria showed himself capable of handling after a flurry of long-range shots before the hour mark.

But it was the visitors to strike next, as Kapuranovski’s youth showed when he rushed for a clearance that fell into the feet of Prince Quansah who instead of knocking the ball from long range with the keeper off his line, used quick thinking and decision-making to find Slefendorfas to calmly slot the ball for 1-4.

Sunshine had its opportunities to close the gap: Cassar came close with a free kick on 66 minutes, and substitute Ryan Dragovic forced a good save from D'Orio with 15 minutes to go.

Shortly after, it was Slefendorfas to strike again with a tap-in to make it 1-5.

Match Details

Sunshine George Cross 1 (Christopher Antoniadis 11’) defeated by Bendigo City 5 (Corey Slevin 5’, 31’, 33’, George Slefendorfas 58’, 74’) at Chaplin Reserve.

Sunshine George Cross: 1. James KAPURANOVSKI, 2. Eddie CETKIN, 3. Martin MASON, 4. Brandon SCERRI (16. Nathan LIBERTO 84’), 5. Christopher DIB, 8. Slaven VRANESEVIC (14. Ryan DRAGOVIC ’67), 9. Bozidar LOJANICA, 10. Adrian LOGOZZO, 11. Anthony CASSAR,13. Christopher ANTONIADIS (12. Matthew OGHANNA 73’), 17. Jacob ATTARD

Unused Subs:15. Nemanja LOJANICA, 1. Jonathon HARBOGLOU

Yellow Cards:None.

Bendigo City FC: 1. Gianmarco D’ORIA, 2. Riley DILLON, 3. Jordan SEETO, 5. Rylan SADLER,(4. Daniel REES 74’), 6. Jason SHADE, 7. George McHEILEH 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Greg THOMAS(8. Karl SLEVIN 67’), 11. Corey SLEVIN (19. Josh DWYER 84’), 14. Keegan SMYTH, 21. Prince QUANSAH

Unused Subs: 15. Goodwill BASHA

Yellow Cards:7. George McHEILEH 57’.