By Marc Sudholz (@marc014)

Eastern Lions continued its strong start to the NPL 1 East season, defeating Nunawading City 3-1 at Gardiners Creek Reserve on Sunday Afternoon.

Following on from a 3-2 Victory away at Dandenong, goals from Philip Ajao, Mitch Beamish and Munyaradzi Nyadzayo ensured that the home side maintained their perfect record, despite a late goal, on what was a beautiful day for football.

It was the visitors who started the better, with City creating a lot of pressure early, but Nunawading was punished just 10 minutes in for its inability to capitalise.

Nunawading goalkeeper Keegan Coulter was caught dallying on the ball, and was duly punished, Ajao outmuscling him, before turning, and calmly passing into the open net, to give the home side the lead.

The Lions nearly doubled the lead just three minutes after; Coulter was forced into a strong save by Beamish, before collecting the follow up cross.

The Lions were on top, and deservedly doubled the lead on 26 minutes.

Nunawading was again caught out defensively, turning it over whilst trying to play it out. Beamish intercepted, before calmly slotting into the bottom left corner from 20 yards.

City’s best chance of the half came just before the break, as Lions keeper Robert Havercroft had a clearance blocked, but a long range shot by Morovic was stopped by Thomas Falconer, who had tracked back to cover.

Soon after the break, the Lions had a third. Livewire Beamish broke free; his shot was well saved by Coulter, however only as far as Nyadzayo, who scored easily from six yards.

City had to chase the game, and did so admirably. The visitors deservedly got their first ever NPL goal with 11 minutes remaining.

Substitute Anthony Giannopolous had a shot which looked well saved by Havercroft, but the ball deflected off the post and in.

Nunawading took heart from the goal, continuing to push, very nearly grabbing a second with two minutes remaining.

Another substitute, Jack Louzions, ran dangerously down the right, cutting back to find David Morovic, but his shot was straight at Havercroft.

Eastern deservedly held on to maintain their perfect start.

EASTERN LIONS 3 (Ajao 10’, Beamish 26’, Nyadzayo 68’) Defeated NUNAWADING CITY 1 (Giannopoulos 79’)

Eastern Lions: 1. Robert Havercroft (gk), 2. William Ellis, 3. Matthew Parry, 5.Thomas Falconer, 6. Andrew Williams, 7. Ziggy Razuki, 8. Mitch Beamish (14. Jordan Horn 84’), 10. Philip Ajao, 11. Munyaradzi Nyadzayo (12. Daniel Rodrigues 75’), 13. Jarran Clear, 15. Yianni Toumanidis (14. Chris Pace 63’)

Unused Subs: 21. Andrew Lightfoot

Yellow Cards: Toumanidis 40’, Williams 81’, Clear 87’

Red Cards: None.

Nunawading City: 1: Keegan Coulter (gk) 2: Sam Mazzolini 4: Ben Harvey Robinson 10: Ivan Skorich (16. Egan-Tanner 75’), 23: Jack Gow 8: Mingen Cui 5: Peter Evangelakos (6. Jack Louzions 58’) 15: Jordan Templin 17: David Morovic 12: Chris Gurr 11: Daniel Patterson (7. Anthony Giannopolous 54’)

Unused Subs: 22. Dylan Ternit

Yellow Cards: Gow 34’

Red Cards: None.