By Matthew McNamara

Pascoe Vale has secured a vital victory in its attempts to bring finals football to CB Smith Reserve for the first time, after a 2-0 victory over North Geelong Warriors.

The visitors now find themselves deep within the relegation zone, and unless a immediate turnaround comes their way, a return to NPL 1 next season is looking increasingly likely.

The home side almost went ahead inside the first 5 minutes after a Michael Ferrante free kick narrowly sailed over the bar. 

In an opening period when there weren’t many chances created by either side, the home team did take the lead after some brilliant work out wide by Mathew Lazarides forced Nicholas Jurcic to turn the ball into his own net just shy of the half hour mark.

Pascoe Vale captain Joseph Youssef would double his side's lead right before the break, neatly beating the offside trap before slotting the ball past a hapless Daniel Zilic in the Warriors goal.

The second period lacked any real fluency, the game stifled by two teams determined to have a battle of the midfield.

The Warriors, for all their chances, failed to register a strike on target throughout the second period, the closest they came was through Reardo Luka, who saw his strike go flying over the bar.

Pacco could have sealed the points in the 83rd minute after a teasing ball from Aaron Turner saw Luca Santilli played in behind but his strike was deflected away by Michael Grgic.

But the damage was done for the home side in the first half, as they held on to record a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Warriors.

Match Details:

Pascoe Vale 2 (Own Goal 28’, Yousef 40’) defeated North Geelong Warriors 0 at CB Smith Reserve

Pascoe Vale: 35. Alexander PAVLIDIS, 2. Adrian TALARICO, 4. Adam NAKIC, 7. Luca SANTILLI, 8. Joseph YOUSSEF, 10. Davey Van't Schip, 13. Mathew Lazaridis, 16. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 17. Aaron TURNER, 21. Michael FERRANTE, 23. Jake HALLIDAY

Subs: 1. Dennys MARTIN, 3. Nathan MEGIC, 6. Carl RECCHIA, 11. Carlos MATTI, 15. Mark PISTANINZI

Yellow Cards: Youssef 32', Pistaninzi 89'

North Geelong: 1. Daniel ZILIC, 17. Nicholas JURCIC, 16. Michael GRGIC, 3. Matt TOWNLEY, 6. Josh PUGH, 8. Vito CICHELLO, 11. Juso JULARDZIJA, 7. Reardo LUKA, 12. Gareth RICHARDS, 4. Nikola JURKOVIC, 9. Ridvan SAGLAM

Subs: 14. Mark PALEKA, 31. Hamish FLAVELL, 5. Anthony BANOVAC, 10. Yusuf YUSUF, 19. Matija DRAGOVIC