By AHMED YUSSUF (@ahmedyussuf10)

Photo MATT JOHNSON

Northcote City is back to winning ways, claiming a 3-1 victory at home to fifth-placed Hume City on a warm Saturday afternoon at John Cain Memorial Park.

The goals came in the second half with Northcote grabbing first two with Jacob Eliopoulos and Calvin Mbarga, before Theo Markelis got one back for Hume. James Kalifatidis put the game beyond doubt in the 92nd minute.

Hume dominated the early proceedings with combative midfielder Isyan Erdogan trying his luck from range. But the Hume man couldn’t find the target with his shot over the bar.

Hume captain Nick Hegarty made his presence known on the game, getting on the end of a mistimed scissor kick by Erdogan, but couldn’t divert his shot ball goal ward.

Northcote struggled to apply themselves early on, relying on half chances by the most part in the first half.

Former Hume City man Calvin Mbarga’s half chance at the end of the half signified the home side’s lack of chances. Mbarga’s tame wayward shot trickled out for a goal kick with little danger on the Hume goal.

Following the break Northcote came back energised scoring just ten minutes into the second half.

The hosts began to find some rhythm. And from a swinging ball within the first ten minutes of the second periodm youngster Jacob Eliopoulos found the net for the home side.

Eliopoulos’ goal changed the momentum in the game.

Evan Kounavellis sprung to action; the tricky winger created havoc on the left side, getting in behind the Hume backline on several occasions.

The Northcote number eleven found space to strike outside area forcing Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield into action, but the Englishman’s clearance almost fell into the path of veteran Marino Gasparis.

It wasn’t long before Kounavellis drifted past the Hume defensive third once again. This time he was left one-on-one with Oldfield, but the winger wasn’t able to direct the shot away from the keeper’s hands.

Former Hume striker Mbarga came to haunt his past employers with a header to stretch Northcote’s lead after Eliopoulos’ header found the Cameroonian.

Hume hit back with an attacking barrage as substitute Theo Markelis found space in a sea of bodies to peg one back with less than ten minutes remaining.

It almost got the equaliser as Liam Newman threaded a ball into Marcus Schroen who’s neat cut back found Sam Beninato. But Jordan Wilkes’ heroic defensive feat cleared Beninato’s effort off the goal line.

Northcote sealed the game with a wonderful move from super-sub James Kalifatidis who slalomed past Hume’s defence while still finding the wherewithal to score from an impossible angle on the byline.

 

MATCH DETAILS:

Northcote City 3 (Eliopoulos 55’, Mbarga 89’, Kalifatidis 90+2’) defeated Hume City 1 (Markelis 83’) at John Cain Memorial Park

 

Northcote City: 22. Chris THEODORIDIS, 4. Jacob ELIOPOULOS, 12. Jordan WILKES, 5. Greg LOMBARDO, 19. Ryan GO, 10. Marino GASPARIS, 7. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 18. Nikola MARKOVSKI (14. Anthony RAMZY 63’), 23. Jonathan BOUNAS (3. Mitchell BISSINGER 73’), 11. Evan KOUNAVELIS (8. James KALIFATIDIS 77’), 9. Calvin MBARGA

Unused substitutes: 1. Mason INTERLANDI 20. Nicholas KOKLAKIS

Yellow card(s): 19. Ryan GO 32’, 5. Greg LOMBARDO 36’, 10. Marino GASPARIS 37, 11. Evan KOUNAVELIS 75’

Red card(s): Nil

 

Hume City: 1 Chris OLDFIELD, 3 Shaun TIMMINS, 4 Isyan ERDOGAN, 5 Petar FRANJIC, 7 Jai INGHAM, 11 Ivan PAVLAK (8 Theo MARKELIS 46’), 17 Marcus SCHOREN, 13 Shane REXHEPI (19. Sam BENINATO 84’), 16 Matt HENNESSEY, 39 Nick HEGARTY, 2 Daniel CHAABANI (15 Liam NEWMAN 64’)

Unused Substitutes: 20 Tom BANFIELD

Yellow Cards: 2 Daniel CHAABANI 33’ 17 Marcus SCHOREN 37’

Red Cards: Nil