By Matthew McNamara

A barnstorming second-half performance from Bentleigh Greens has seen them punish a wasteful Hume City 3-0 at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Sunday afternoon.

Greens captain Wayne Wallace scored the first before Tom Matthews and Luke O’Dea secured the three points for the visitors, with all goals scored in the second half to see the Greens move into third on the ladder.

Both sides were guilty of spurning chances in the opening period with both ‘keepers kept busy.

New Hume City signing Jeremy Walker almost put his side ahead early when Christopher Cristaldo sent a delicate ball which the former Melbourne Heart defender hammered towards goal, but Alastair Bray was brilliant with his top-hand save.

Bentleigh too was unfortunate not to score early when it rattled the post in a goal-mouth scramble where it seemed easier to score than miss.

Bentleigh started the second half somewhat more brightly and was duly rewarded. 

David Stirton picked up the ball in the middle of the park before releasing Brent McGrath, who saw his shot brilliantly saved by Hume keeper’ Chris Oldfield. 

Oldfield was beaten moments later however, when the resulting corner was headed home by Wallace.

The home side battled and worked back into the game, creating chances but being unable to convert them.

Hume City left-back Johnny Stojcevski was next to test Bray, but his weak right-footed effort should really have been struck harder.

Again Hume continued to press and it was then Kliment Taseski who was guilty of missing a glorious chance when his strike struck the bar.

But Bentleigh wouldn’t be outdone. 

Jamie De Abreu travelled down the right-hand side before cutting the ball back to Tom Matthews, who unleashed a stinging strike with the outside of his right foot which sailed into the top corner.

Ali Turgut was introduced for the home side and he sent a wonderful ball across the top of the six-yard box which Cristaldo headed strongly towards the bottom corner, but Bray was intent on ensuring he kept a clean sheet.

With only moments remaining, Luke O’Dea sealed the match with a delightful one-on-one finish against Oldfield.

Hume City coach Louie Acevski was deflated with his side’s inability to convert.

“What can I say? If you don’t take your chances then you don’t win football games. I don’t think I can put it any more simple than that,” Acevski said.

“To be fair, I give credit to Johnny (Anastasiadis) because his team came here, took their chances and go home with three points.

“We need to back up on Wednesday night (in the Dockerty Cup) before we face a wounded Northcote side next week.”

Bentleigh was unavailable for comment.

Match Details

Hume City 0 lost to Bentleigh Greens 3 (Wallace 51’, Matthews 70’, O’Dea 90’+2) at Broadmeadows Valley Park [HT: 0-0]

Hume City: Chris Oldfield, Aaron Turner, Petar Franjic, Shane Rexhepi, Johnny Stojcevski, Joseph Franjic, Kliment Taseski, Richie Cardozo (Ali Turgut 67’), Christopher Cristaldo, Anthony Proia, Jeremy Walker (Kaan Korkmaz 80’)

Unused Subs: Baki Efe, Niko Jackson-Tserexidis, Evan Alexandrow-Ridley

Yellow Cards: J. Franjic 34’, Stojcevski 76’, P. Franjic 84’

Red Cards: None

Bentleigh Greens: Alastair Bray, Thomas Matthews, James Cumming, Jack Webster, Christian Cavallo, Luke Pilkington, Wayne Wallace, Liam McCormick, David Stirton (Luke O’Dea 76’), Brent McGrath (Perry Lambropoulos 90’), Andre McNamara (Jamie De Abreu 46’)

Unused Subs: Andrew Giannos, Lewis Foster

Yellow Cards: Stirton 18’, Pilkington 84’

Red Cards: None

Image credit: Graeme Furlong