By Marc Sudholz (@marc014)

A dominant first half has been enough for Bendigo City to defeat Nunawading City 3-2 at Mahoney’s Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

In what were perfect conditions, three first half goals - two to Corey Slevin, and one to George Slefendorfas - allowed Bendigo to see off Nunawading’s second half charge.

Bendigo had two good chances early, with Riley Dillon denied by Keegan Coulter, before Slefendorfas fired over from the edge of the box.

Bendigo’s dominance was finally rewarded after 17 minutes. Slevin finding the ball in space, before coolly firing past the impressive Coulter to give the visitors the lead.

Nunawading were looking dangerous on the break, and Anthony Giannopolous had a decent chance, but couldn’t finish from a tight angle.

Bendigo doubled its lead with 27 minutes gone. Slevin with his second goal, expertly placed the ball into the bottom left corner.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Nunawading felt they should have had a penalty, as Giannopolous was felled in the box, but the referee waved it away.

Slefendorfas made it 3-0 soon after this, countering from the attack, taking the ball into the box, before shooting across Coulter from a tight angle. He could have had a second soon after, as he rounded Coulter, but fired over the bar.

As the second began, it seemed as if the teams had swapped shirts early, with Nunawading completely dominant.

Nine minutes in, Nunawading did have a penalty, with Morovic felled in the box. Mincen Cui calmly slotted home to give the home side hope.

Two minutes later, it was game on.

Jordan Templin tore through the Bendigo midfield with an impressive run, before expertly finding Giannopolous, who finished through the legs of Gianmarco D’oria in the Bendigo goal.

Nunawading continued to press after this, dominating possession.

Following a quick free kick, Nunawading caught out Bendigo, but Giannopolous fired over when in space.

Substitute David Antequera then had a shot cleared off the line, as Bendigo attacked relentlessly.

The home side just could not find a third, and almost were made to pay, Coulter denying Slevin a hat-trick from close range with 4 minutes to play.

Nunawading had a late chance from a corner, and nearly were gifted a goal, but D’oria wasn’t punished for his fumble, which was cleared off the line.

The visitors held on to claim the victory.

 

Nunawading City 2 (Cui 56’, Giannopolous 58’) Defeated By Bendigo City 3 (Slevin 17’, 27’, Slefendorfas 42’) at Mahoney’s Reserve, Forest Hill

Nunawading City XI: 1: Keegan COULTER (GK), 23: Jack GOW, 10: Ivan SKORICH, 15: Jordan TEMPLIN, 6: Jack LOUZIOTIS, 7: Anthony GIANNOPOLOUS, 12: Chris GURR (5: Peter EVANGELAKOS 66’), 17: David MOROVIC, 8: Mincen CUI, 19: John-Luc SILVESTRI (9: David ANTEQUERA 60’)36: Trung LUU (16: Spencer EVAN-TANNER 76’)

Subs: None.

Yellow Cards: None.

Red Cards: None.

Bendigo City XI: 1: Gianmarco D’ORIA, 2: Riley DILLON (17: Alex CALDOW 84’), 16: Greg THOMAS, 6: Jason SHADE, 5: Rylan SADLER, 4: Daniel REES, 3: Jordan SECTO, 8: Karl SLEVIN 9: George SLEFENDORFAS, 7: George MCLEILEH (15: Godwill BASHA 61’), 11: Corey SLEVIN

Subs: 20: Finn HUZZEY (GK), 18: Daniel PURDY, 22: Isaac WEST.

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None.