By ANDREW BISHARA (@_AndrewBishara)

An impressive 10-man Box Hill United has recorded a 1-0 win over Goulburn Valley Suns at Wembley Park on Saturday.

Michael Kariuki was the hero with the goal, as the hosts played the whole second half with 10 men after Sebastian Barrero was sent off late in the first half.

The hosts created two great chances in the space of a few minutes as it started the game with intent.

Barrero first attempted a half volley from the edge of the box, but it was tipped over the bar by Suns goalkeeper Phillip Petrovski, before a sweeping team move saw the ball come to an unmanned and unmarked Kariuki.

Yet with all the time in the world, Kariuki's first time shot went right to Petrovski.

The match turned on its head when Barrero was sent off with a straight red for a last man lunge to stop a slick Suns counter.

Sean Ellis duly stepped up to take the resulting free kick, but his splendid effort just whistled past the post.

The Suns went for the jugular at the start of the second period, as again Ellis had another chance from a set piece, but the crossbar proved to be the enemy and denying him.

Yet despite being down to 10-men, Box Hill played the perfect tactical game, pressing and harassing the Suns at the right moments, and dropping back to nullify space to deny it any chances.

Kariuki led the line superbly, and took his chances when he could, first hitting a 25-yard low drive that was palmed away by Petrovski.

The custodian was called to action from the resulting corner, tipping over Michael Godfrey's header, to keep the Suns in the contest.

United was duly rewarded for its brave effort when a swift move saw Lucas Johns lay off an one-touch through ball for Kariuki, who faced Petrovski one-on-one. The striker calmly buried the chance.

The Suns threw everything forward in a bid to equalise in the final 15 minutes, but despite some hearts in the moments, United held on for its second win on the bounce.

 

Match details:

Box Hill United 1 (Michael Kariuki 71’) defeated Goulburn Valley Suns 0 at Wembley Park

Box Hill United: 1: Alex CONNELL (GK), 2. Nikola SURDOSKI, 18: Joey CALDERONE, 25: Michael GODFREY, 8. Caleb LUDLOW (7. Patrick THIAKANE 79’), 15. Chris PAGE, 17: Aaron PORCARO, 11. Sebastian BARRERO, 19. Michael KARIUKI, 23: Dillon JAKUPI (21: Travis CHALK-HATTON 46’),14. John LUCAS (10. Franc CARAFA 82’)

Unused Subs: 35. Sam GRIGG, 30. Ollie PATERNO

Yellow Cards: PORCARO 12’, PAGE 75’

Red Cards: BARRERO 35’

Goulburn Valley Suns: 1. Philip PETROVSKI, 3. Greg NASH, 6. Nikolaos KALAFATIS (16. Matthew LELLIOT 76’), 17. Adrian CORBO, 4. Naum SEKALOVSKI, 18.Stuart VANCE, 11. Shaun KANE, 19. Sean ELLIS, 20. Vani SHAMOON, 9. Craig CARLEY, 12. Firaol LIKASSA (7. Abel FESSEHA 67’)

Unused Subs: 5. Jordan MONTAGNER, 8. Jaime ENGLAND, 22. Jake KEATING

Yellow Cards: VANCE 21’, CARLEY 65’

Red Cards: Nil.