By Daniel Campos (@FrancisFields)

Two goals in five minutes were enough for Moreland City to defeat a Nunawading side that is still searching for its first point in the 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL season.

After a dull first half, goals to Liam Briand and Casey Thomas at the hour mark gave Moreland an unassailable lead before John-Luc Silvestri got a consolation for the visitors.

It was the young Nunawading side that had the better of the opening minutes with Ivan Skorich and John-Luc Silvestri combining dangerously down the left wing.

Just on the 10 minute mark it was Moreland City with a brilliant opportunity one-on-one with Kamer Şimşek missing two shots straight into the hands of goalkeeper Keegan Coulter.

Liam Brian managed to show good effort a minute later from long range for the hosts as he shot on target forcing Coulter onto an outstretched save.

With Moreland City pressing forward from the wings, they were also managing to contain Nunawading’s patient build-up.

On the 20 minute mark Osman Kose pulled a spectacular volley connecting a long, deep cross from Casey Thomas that not only surprised the fans present but went a matter of inches from target.

The hosts hit trouble after half an hour with Mo Kurucu coming off with an injury for Rob Bassano.

Both Kose and Şimşek should have made Nunawading pay shortly after, but by half-time it was still an even and close encounter.

Early in the second half, Kose once again got on the end of a dangerous low cross that went across the goal of Coulter only to have the ball snatched away from him at the death.

As Nunawading’s new signing Emile Damey came on, Moreland took the lead through Liam Brian’s tap-in inside the six-yard-box.

Moreland City pressed on after the goal, looking for a way to double their lead and it came in spectacular fashion through Casey Thomas.

Thomas got the better of two markers before lifting his head up and curling the ball into the far top corner.

It should have been simple from here, but a youthful Nunawading City wasn’t going to lie down.

Its goal came through Silvestri who got on the end of some quick passing down the wing after a patient build up. His classy finish gave Nunawading a lifeline back into the match.

The final ten minutes saw substitute Vlad Khamees come close with a cheeky effort, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Keegan Coulter but it went just wide of goal.

With only two minutes remaining, Coulter was again brought into action with two full-stretch saves to deny Khamees again and to deny Moreland City a third.

But Moreland’s quick-fire double was enough in the end to secure it the three points and keep Nunawading City still looking for its first win.

 

Match details

Moreland City 2 (Liam Brian 60’, Casey Thomas 65’) defeated Nunawading City 1 (John-Luc Silvestri 68’) at Campbell Reserve.

Moreland City: 1. Brandon GALGANO, 2. Yang TOU-YENG, 18. Orrie KARA, 21. Nej SAHIN, 12. Shane CARR, 17. Liam BRIAN (13. Vlad KHAMEES 76'), 8. Corey THOMAS, 14. Casey THOMAS, 9. Gareth RICHARDS, 23. Mo KURUCU (20. Rob BASSANO 40'), 11. Kam SIMSEK (10. Liam FRANCIS 82’, 7. Ossie KOSE.

Unused Subs: 4. Quinn MCDONALD, 16. Nathan GOURZELAS

Yellow Cards: Orrie Kara 45', Nejdet Sahin 74’, Corey Thomas 77', Bassano 79’.

Red Cards: Nil

Nunawading City: 1. Keegan COULTER, 10. Ivan SKORICH, 7. Anthony GIANNOPOULOS, 9. David ANTEQUERRA (6. Jack LOUZIOTIS 45’), 5. Peter EVANGELAKOS, 19. John-Luc SILVESTRI (17. David MOROVIC 74’), 20. Sfefan PAPAGEORGIOU, 21. Felix DIMITRAKIS, 44 Samuel ANTONIADIS, 11. Daniel PATTERSON (41. Emile DAMEY 53’), 31. Dylan FACCI.

Unused Subs: 22. Dylan TERVIT

Yellow Cards: Ivan Skorich 79’.

Red Cards: Nil.