By Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev)

Sunshine George Cross eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brunswick City in its first game of the NPL 1 season on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts dominated proceedings at Chaplin Reserve and took a first-half lead through Nejden Sahin. The lively Manuell Sadik then doubled their advantage after the break, sealing a routine win for George Cross.

Sunshine started the brighter of the two sides and had the game’s first chance through Bozidar Lojanica, but he fired well over the bar following Sadik’s knockdown.

But at the other end, Brunswick began to probe and an incisive pass from midfield caused a collision between Chris Scarvo and Robert Santilli, with the City striker coming off a little worse for wear.

Sunshine settled into a nice tempo and, midway through the first half, it thought it had taken the lead when Lojanica powered his way through on goal and shot past a despairing Mason Interlandi. The referee ruled for a foul in the build up, however, and the score remained goalless.

George Cross was now well and truly in the ascendancy and just five minutes prior to halftime, it took the lead through Sahin.

The left-back brilliantly volleyed home into the top corner from 20 yards following Interlandi’s tentative punch.

After the interval Sunshine continued its dominance. Delfin Mosibe flicked just wide from Muhamed Chawk’s dangerous cross and Lojanica was sent through on goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Costas Thanos.

A second George Cross goal seemed inevitable and 20 minutes from time, Sadik secured the result with a fantastic individual effort. The winger took two opposition defenders out of the game with a superb flick, before keeping his composure to bury his shot into the bottom corner.

Brunswick turned to the bench in an effort to add some much needed enthusiasm to its side, with George McHeigh and Fatih Turer introduced into the match.

The visitors weren’t able to pose a serious threat to the Sunshine defence however, as George Cross continued to press forward and almost found a third through subsitute Mohamed Mohamed, who clipped the post with a stooping header from Lojanica’s cross.

Sunshine coach Tony Ciantar was pleased with the result.

“It’s been a tough pre-season, having to cramp everything into six weeks, but the boys’ application was nothing short of sensational. Everything went to plan,” Ciantar said.

Brunswick boss Joe De Martino was also happy with the work rate of his young side.

“We came over with the intention of not embarrassing ourselves,” De Martino said.

“We are a young and inexperienced team. We are practically all new to Brunswick City. I didn’t expect miracles, so I thought we did really well, especially in the first half.”

MATCH DETAILS

FT: Sunshine George Cross 2 (Sahin 40’, Sadik 70’) defeated Brunswick City 0 at Chaplin Reserve.

Sunshine George Cross: 1. Robert SANTILLI (GK), 17. Jacob ATTARD, 3. Nejdel SAHIN, 2. Eddie CETKIN, 5. Christopher DIB, 4. Ross WALLIS, 10. Adrian LOGOZZO (7. Brandon ZAFFINA 75’), 9. Bozidar LOJANICA, 8. Delfin MOSIBE, 11. Muhamed CHAWK (12. Mohamed MOHAMED 68’), 19. Manuell SADIK (18. Andrew TAYLOR 84’)

Unused Subs: 21. Nabi TUNA

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

Brunswick City: 1. Mason INTERLANDI (GK), 16. Abdallah ABDALLAH, 5. Giuseppe AIELIO, 4. Manny KARRAS, 25. Oktay OZTEKIN, 14. Denis SADIK (29. George McHEIGH 70’), 11. Chris SCARVO (9. Fatih TURER 70’), 18. Robert SCHIAFONE, 8. Nicholas TEREZAKIS, 22. Costas THANOS, 3. Michael VARKOPOULOS

Unused Subs: 44. Rojdar ZENGIN, 45. Dimitri VITHOULKAS, 55. George MARKELIS

Yellow Cards: THANOS (45+1’)

Red Cards: None