Wunderkind Charalambous' free kick wins it for Moreland against Richmond
By Matthew McNamara
Wunderkind Danny Charalambous has sent Moreland Zebras to the top of the NPL 1 West ladder after the 18-year-old scored a stunning 95th minute free kick stole all three points against a hapless Richmond SC.
The game had been headed for a dull 0-0 draw before James Papadimitriou gave the Zebras the lead in the 87th minute.
Richmond however struck back through Michael Catalano in the 93rd minute before Charalambous stepped up and sent his curling free kick into the back of the net to secure the valuable points.
The home side will feel they could have had the points wrapped up earlier after controlling long periods of the game, with Richmond resorting to playing on the counter attack.
Papadimitriou was guilty of the missing the opening chance of the match, his header from James Kelly’s cross was tame and easy for Rossi to save.
Richmond looked dangerous from set pieces, with Andrew Goff unlucky not to give the visitors a surprise lead when his header just skimmed the bar with 30 minutes played.
The best chance of the opening period fell to Richmond’s Michael Catalano, but his strike was well saved by the impressive Nikola Kostadinoski.
The second period was a real arm-wrestle, with both sides unwilling to commit to many numbers forward and open up.
Josh McMongle-Ihasz almost had the home side in front moments after the break, when his long range effort cannoned off the cross bar before rolling away for a goal kick.
Richmond were looking lively on the break without really committing to many numbers forward. Hamlet Armenian had a glorious chance go over the bar before the Zebras immediately went up the other end where Kelly could have given the hosts the lead.
But with only three minutes left the game sprung to life.
Papadimitriou scored what looked to be the winning goal before Catalano leveled.
But Charalambous was to be the hero. The youngster’s left footed free kick catching out Rossi to send the Zebras to the top of the league.
Charalambous was delighted with the result.
“What a win!” Charambous said.
“We really needed that win and it’s a credit to all of the boys for sticking in right until the end tonight.”
Match details
Moreland Zebras 2 (Papadimitriou 87', Charalambous 90+5') defeated Richmond 1 (Catalano 90+3') at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner
Moreland Zebras: 1. Nikola KOSTADINOSKI, 2. Simon SYMEOY, 4. Steve MARTIN, 5. Daniel PETROV, 6. Adam CENTOFANTI, 8. Joshua MCMUNGLE-IHASZ, 10. Danny CHARALAMBOUS, 11. Bale MICOVSKI, 14. James PAPADIMITRIOU, 16. Mile MEDJEDEVIC, 19. James KELLY
Subs: 21. Alex STOJANOVSKI, 3. Johnny CRIVELLI, 18. Joshua BERRIOS, 20. Baggio YOUSIF, 22. Ryan MURRAY
Richmond: 1. Christian ROSSI, 2. Andrew GOFF, 3. Matthew COLLIER, 23. Joshua VALADON, 12. Matthew WATERS, 5. Brendan RICHARDSON, 17. Samuel CATHERINE, 15. Michael CATALANO, 7. Hamlet ARMENIAN, 8. Josh KNIGHT, 9. Tom CAHILL
Subs: 20. Chris DAVIS, 15. Jay KELLY, 21. Daniel PIOVESAN, 6. Peter SAWAN, 18. Javier MARANGOS
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