By Chris Hearn (@_ChrisHearn)

An early flurry from FC Bendigo helped set up a 4-0 win against Brunswick City at Tom Flood Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Matthew Breeze produced a man-of-the-match performance as he scored twice, while George Slefendorfas and Josh Romein added singles.

Slefendorfas was sent off for violent conduct in the second half, but it did not overly hinder the home side.

In a blistering opening seven minutes, the hosts simply played their opponents off the park. Quick, incisive passing saw Brunswick's young brigade chasing shadows.


Breeze was instrumental in the centre of midfield and created the first. He got between the lines of midfield and defence, and played Trent Waterson through on the inside right channel. The winger played a square ball to Slefendorfas who tapped home.

Before too long the lead was doubled, and it successfully usurped the opener as the best move of the night.

Viktor Rodriguez has become a fan favourite in Bendigo, and his inch-perfect cross found the on-rushing midfield run of Breeze, to power home a header from 16 yards.

The chances continued to flow, with Breeze, Rodriguez and Slefendorfas threatening, but Brunswick steadied the ship with the final 20 minutes of the first half proving to be a stalemate.

Bendigo started the second half much like it did the first. Early chances to Waterson and Rodriguez typified the home side's willingness to get midfield runners in behind.

The game turned into a scrappy affair with 30 minutes remaining. A flashpoint was inevitable, and it was the goalscorer Slefendorfas who lost his cool.

The striker seemed to throw an elbow at winger George McHeileh and was dismissed without hesitation by the referee.

Bendigo was forced to adjust as Breeze was advanced forward as the lone striker, which paid dividends less than 10 minutes later.

After a neat interchange, Rodriguez found space to shoot and Brunswick ‘keeper Mason Interlandi, lacking support from his defence, could only palm the ball back into Breeze's path to drive home from six yards.

The icing on the cake came on 77 minutes, as central defender Romein completed the rout - rising highest from a Breeze corner to glance home.

The home side completed the final period in cruise control, for its second win and clean sheet in succession. Bendigo coach Steve Martin was pleased with such a dominant performance.

"Most important for us is keeping those clean sheets and we always have the ability to create opportunities," Martin said.

The player-coach had no issue with the award of a red card to his striker.

"I was really disappointed, because George (Slefendorfas) has been good for us the last few weeks,” Martin said.

"He's got to earn the respect back from the boys and the club.”

Brunswick coach Joe De Martino lamented certain elements of his side's play.

"When you start a game on the wrong foot, conceding two goals in seven minutes, it's a hell of a hurdle to create for yourself,” De Martino said.

De Martino also made no secrets of his intention to bring players in when the transfer window opens tomorrow.

"We've been working hard at looking for alternatives, so hopefully we can get some fresh faces in,” he said.

Match Details

FC Bendigo 4 (Slefendorfas 2', Breeze 7', 75', Romein 77') defeated Brunswick City 0 at Tom Flood Sports Centre [HT: 2-0]

FC Bendigo: 1. Sebastian MATTEI (GK), 3. Aaron COHEN, 5. Josh ROMEIN, 6. Alon BLUMGART, 7. Trent WATERSON (2. Tom SHAPER 90+1'), 8. Viktor RODRIGUEZ, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Matthew BREEZE (11. Amara KROMAH), 16. Steve MARTIN (13. Finn HUZZEY 83'), 17. Jonathan RYAN, 19. Ryan DAVIDSON

Substitutes not used: 18. Daniel PERDEY, 22. Christopher XERRI.

Yellow cards: 24' Aaron Cohen

Red cards: 65' George Slefendorfas

Brunswick City: 44. Mason INTERLANDI (GK), 2. Seamus CARR, 6. Oktay OZTEKIN (12. Mayson NOBETSU 87'), 8. Nick TEREZAKIS, 11. Admir KOLAKOVIC (22. Costas THANOS 59'), 14. Denis SADIK, 18. Rob SCHIAFONE, 25. Alex GIANNETTA (12. Arthur TOZIOS 72'), 45. George MARKELIS, 77. George MCHEILEH, 99. Dimitri VITHOULKAS

Substitutes not used: 11. Rodjar ZENGIN

Yellow cards: 19' George Markelis, 28' Nick Terezakis, 66' Rob Schiafone, 83' Dimitri Vithoulkas.

Red cards: Nil