By MATTHEW CONVERSANO

Photo MARK AVELLINO

Moreland Zebras and Melbourne City have taken a point each with both sides failing to capitalise on an enthralling, attacking contest.

Second half goals from Daniel Petrov and Phil Petreski were enough to earn both teams a point in a relatively fair reflection of the match.

The match burst into life right from the kick off after Moreland’s James Papadimitriou stole the ball from the opposition and nearly topped off an amazing run with a goal after just 30 seconds of play, but his shot hit the side netting.

Despite an exciting start to the match, and plenty of attacking from both sides, there were few clear-cut chances in the next 20 minutes of play.

This brief lull in the match ended on 26 minutes with a long range volley from Moreland’s Danny Charalambous when his deflected shot had City keeper Yaren Sozer backtracking as he desperately tipped the ball over the bar.

Moreland’s brief period of dominance culminated in a fizzing long-range strike from James Kelly which struck the left upright after 33 minutes of play.

Kelly’s strike seemed to be the wake-up call that City needed to mount attacks of their own.

Just three minutes later Luke Gallo sent a curling strike just wide of the right post that looked to have put Moreland custodian Nikola Kostadinovski in a bit of discomfort.

On 40 minutes, Gallo was involved again as he flicked on a stinging cross from Stefan Zinni toward goal which required a great save from Kostadinovski.

After a whirlwind first half that somehow remained 0-0, both teams came bursting out of the blocks in the second half showing no signs of the slowing the game down.

The seemingly inevitable first goal was certainly worth waiting for as a 30-yard screamer from Moreland’s Daniel Petrov flew through air, struck the cross bar and bounced beyond the goal line leaving Sozer helpless. Cue a massive roar from the Moreland faithful.

Despite Moreland looking the more dangerous of the two sides after the goal, they failed to convert any of their attacks into an all-important second goal.

This proved costly for Zebras as a textbook free kick from City’s Phil Petreski after 70 minutes found the left hand corner and brought the game back level.

The best chance for a winner fell to Moreland on the 84th minute mark when a foul just inside the penalty arc earned them an inviting free kick opportunity. However, Kelly’s subsequent strike flew beyond the goal and clattered into the fence.

Despite an attacking game, both teams had to settle for a point each.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Melbourne City 1 (Petreski 70’) drew with Moreland Zebras 1 (Petrov 48’) at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner

Melbourne City: 1. Yaren Sozer, 2. Tyler James, 3. Nicholas Symeoy, 5. Leo Athanasiou, 6. Phil Petreski, 7. Hernan Espindola, 9. Wade Dekker, 11. Stefan Zinni (8. Ratip Cileli 80’), 14. Baki Efe (12. Anthony Rizk 60’), 15. Luke Gallo, 16. Matthew Millar

Unused Subs: 13. Nick Morton, 17. Baley Row, 20. Yianni Skiliros

Yellow Cards: Wade Dekker 61’, Yaren Sozer 63’, Tyler James 65’,

 

Moreland Zebras: 1. Nikola Kostadinovski, 2. Simon Symeoy, 4. Steve Martin, 5. Daniel Petrov, 6. Adam Centofanti, 8. Joshua McMonagle-Ihasz, 9. Joel Nikolic (11. Bale Micovski 53’), 10. Danny Charalambous, 14. James Papadimitriov, 16. Mile Medjedovic, 19. James Kelly.

Unused Subs: 21. Aleksandar Stojanovski, 3. Johnny Crivelli, 20. Baggio Yousif, 22. Ryan Murray

Yellow Cards: Mile Medjedevic 63’, James Kelly 67’, Daniel Petrov 74’, Danny Charalambous 78’