By Ahmed Yussuf 

Brunswick City clinched a rare 2-1 win against fellow struggler Springvale White Eagles Saturday afternoon at Dunstan Reserve. 

Dimitri Vithoulkas scored the opener near the 20-minute mark of the game, besting White Eagles ‘keeper Jeremy Sandoval.

Vithoulkas would be involved again this time setting up the second in the early stages to help Anthony Ianchello double the home side's lead. 

Springvale’s Hernan De Rito pulled a goal back from the spot to give his side hope in the final half hour of the game. 

It was a cagey opening between the two sides, who are struggling for points in the bottom ends of the PS4 NPL East and West league ladders. 

Springvale showed early resolve in the face of early Brunswick pressure.

Fill-in central defender Jordan Ballerini came across intercepting a pass into the attacker Anthony Ianchello. 

At the other end of the pitch, De Rito was wrestled off the ball by City defender Frank Serratore, conceding a penalty inside the area.

De Rito stepped up to shoot from the spot but the attacker skied his spot kick high and over the bar. 

On the counter, Brunswick stormed forward with Vithoulkas, who forced White Eagles shot-stopper Sandoval into a double save.

But within a few moments Springvale was at the other end testing City ‘keeper Jake Crea with Ryan Babare who shot wide. 

Brunswick came again, this time with Ianchello cutting back a ball into the path of Vithoulkas who didn’t hesitate and found the back of the net.  

In the early stages of the second period, Vithoulkas was causing trouble for the Springvale back line. 

He stormed down the right flank, dribbling past his man with ease to swing in a cross to Ianchello.

The forward stumbled the ball into the back of the net with a header-shot combination beating Sandoval.

Brunswick had a second wind with the scoring of the second, dominating and monopolising attacks. 

Heroic goalkeeping from Sandoval kept Springvale in the game.

The Springvale ‘keeper came up with a superhuman effort to deny defender Serratore’s angled header on goal.

Springvale was handed a lifeline with another penalty awarded to them after De Rito was fouled once again.

The attacker stood up to take the penalty and this time made no mistake beating ‘keeper Crea. 

But with a man down after Stojan Milojevic was sent off after an altercation with Brunswick ‘keeper Crea, Springvale was fighting an uphill battle to find an equaliser and ultimately succumbed to defeat.

MATCH DETAILS: 

Brunswick City 2 (Vithoulkas 20’, Ianchello 47’) defeated Spring White Eagles 1 (De Rito 63’) at Dunstan Reserve 

Brunswick City: 15. Jake CREA (GK), 3. Michael VARKOPOULOS, 45. Frank SERRATORE, 48. Nick TZOULIS, 50. Resit CULCULOGLU (9. Ahmet TURER 65’), 35. Anthony IANCHELLO, 18. Matthew MURPHY, 10. Juan PORTILLO, 00. Dimitri VITHOULKAS (49. Peter CONSTANTINOU 90+1’), 17. Evan KARAVITIS, 29. Lucas AOUN

Unused Substitute(s): 1. Christy BENNETT-SPARK (GK), 6. Matthew DIGIOVINE, 8. George MARKELIS

Yellow Card(s): 17. Evan KARAVITIS 11’, 45. Frank SERRATORE 33’, 48. Nick TZOULIS 73’, 35. Anthony IANCHELLO 77’

Red Card(s): Nil

Springvale White Eagles: 30. Jeremy SANDOVAL (GK), 2. Jordan BALLERINI (18. Trent HANSEN 76’), 23. Nenad NIKOLIC, 17. Sebastian LECAROS, 15. Milan JOVANOVIC, 16. Ryan BABARE, 7. Keletso MTHEMBU (21. Dejan ERAKOVIC 46’), 8. Hernan DE RITO, 11. Ricardo TEIXEIRA (10. Stojan MILOJEVIC 46’), 3. Vedran TOMIC, 6. Slavisa SARIC

Unused Substitute(s): 1. Nikola POPETROV, 5. Scott MILLAR

Yellow Card(s): 6. Slavisa SARIC 46’, 10. Stojan MILOJEVIC 73’ 74’, 16. Ryan BABARE 90+2’

Red Card(s): 10. Stojan MILOJEVIC 74’