By Bill Molloy (@Bill_Molloy94)

Avondale Heights has maintained its lead at the top of the NPL 1 table after a lone goal from Andrew Le Page saw it win 1-0 against Springvale White Eagles in tough conditions on Saturday.

Although the rain had stopped as the players came onto the pitch for kick-off, the heavy downpour beforehand made for a damp pitch that resulted in a sluggish affair as the players had to acclimatise to the wet weather.

The tempo was noticeably lacking in the first half as neither team could create chances in what became an arm wrestle in the midfield as both teams struggled to maintain possession.

Given the slow start and lack of opportunities, it was no surprise that the teams went into the break without either side finding the back of the net.

As the teams came out for the second half there was a drastic change as the game opened up, providing plenty of opportunities for either side to hit the lead early in the half.

As soon as the hosts began to take control of the game and create the greater number of chances, Le Page was able to take advantage as a low strike from outside the box was hammered into the near bottom corner, giving Avondale the lead just before the hour mark.

Bosin Georgevski nearly doubled Avondale’s lead with 20 minutes remaining as an audacious effort from the left wing floated over Anthony Casset who was off his line.

The shot didn’t dip down in time as it hit the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal-kick.

The closing stages proved nervous for the home side as a resurgent Springvale pushed for a late equaliser but it wasn’t to be as the home side held on with the narrowest of margins.

Avondale coach Anthony Barbieri was pleased with his team’s effort given the tough conditions.

“In these sort of conditions we’re very much a ball playing side...I think at the end of the day on the balance of play we were probably the stronger side,” Barbieri said.

Both teams came out and played a more open game in the second half, but Barbieri’s message was simple.

“We’ve gotta stick to what our strengths are...the first half was a little bit slow and mechanical in our movement,” he said.

Springvale White Eagles coach Zlatko Mihajlovic also found difficulty in the conditions but felt his side should have seized the opportunity to share the points with the league leader.

“We’ve gone two games without a goal which is frustrating but it’s more frustrating that we had a chance to get a draw against the top team,” Mihajlovic said.

Mihajlovic will look to the transfer window to bolster his attacking options but believes he will struggle to bring the highest quality players across.

“If we could get a striker in the transfer window that would be great but we’re a club at the moment that’s struggling...so we really will struggle to attract players.”

MATCH DETAILS

Avondale Heights 1 (Le Page 58’) defeated Springvale White Eagles 0 at Avondale Heights Reserve [HT: 0-0]

Avondale Heights: 1. Anthony Saric (GK) 6. Anthony Strano 31. Michele Crazia 15. Zoran Pajic 33. Dean Campelj 8. Bosin Georgevski 24. Resit Culculoglu 10. Burakhan Koca (11. Bale Micovski 71’) 7. Andrew Le Page 19. Jason Principato (5. Andrew Sacchetta 88’) 34. Opeksiy Khrapko (3. Fabian Gugliandolo 82’)

Unused sub: 20. John Scollo   

Yellow Cards: 7. Andrew Le Page (31’) 11. Bale Micovski (87’)

Red Cards: None

Sunshine George Cross: 30. Anthony Casset (GK) 4. Simo Jovanovic 6. Slavisa Saric 3. Joey Calderone 18. Ryan Don Paul 8. Marcus Holmes 10. Stojan Milojevic (14. Joshua Bowen 59’) 19. Vojislav Milojevic (7. Keletso Mthembu 79’) 21. Dejan Erakovic 15. Hamish Millar 16. Jamie De Smit

Unused subs: 1. Bojan Tomic 33. Zarko Milojevic 9. Joel Bowen

Yellow Cards: 4. Simo Jovanovic (67’)

Red Cards: None

Image credit: Mark Avellino