Two leads not enough for Bendigo as Melbourne City prevails
By Eva Worden
Melbourne City has defeated Bendigo City FC 3-2 in a nail-biting NPL 1 West Round 15 catch-up game on Tuesday night at Epsom Huntly Reserve.
After a slow first half, Bendigo’s George Slefendorfas gave Bendigo the lead early in the second half, before Luka Prelevic’s penalty gave City the equaliser. Corey Slevin then took the lead for Bendigo again before Melbourne’s Mehdi Sawari and Luka Prelevic sealed the deal in the last four minutes to take the win for the visitors.
Bendigo had the first opportunity of the match early on through Riley Dillon, but the youngster's attempt was smothered by visiting goalkeeper Yaren Sozer.
Shortly after, Corey Slevin had the next big chance but his powerful volley skipped just wide.
Melbourne City took the ascendancy from there, but both Stefan Zinni and Luka Prelevic spruned chances before half time came.
The first goal of the match came after halftime at the 53 minute mark with Slefendorfas heading the ball towards goal only for Sozer to punch it away, but the skilful Slefendorfas got his head to it a second time to put Bendigo ahead.
The next goal of the match came after a controversial yellow card to Slefendorfas resulting in a penalty for Melbourne with Luka Prelevic converting the subsequent penalty.
Bendigo regrouped and in the 83rd minute Greg Thomas crossed to Corey Slevin who chipped the ball into the goals with ease to take the lead.
Then Melbourne City struck in the dying minutes with Luka Prelevic crossing to Mehdi Sawari who volley the ball into the top left corner of the goal- flying past D’oria in injury time to equalise the score.
But the visitors were not happy with an equaliser, as Prelevic scored his second goal of the match in the third minute of injury time with his effort finding the bottom corner of the goal and securing the win for Melbourne City.
MATCH DETAILS
Bendigo City FC 2 (Slefendorfas 53’, Slevin 83’) have been defeated by Melbourne City FC 3 (Prelevic 77’, 90+3’, Sawari 90+1’)
Bendigo City FC: 1. Gianmarco D’ORIA, 2. Riley DILLON, 3. Tristan ROMEIN, 4. Daniel REES, 5. Rylan SADLER, 6. Jason SHADE, 7. George MCHEILEH 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Corey SLEVIN, 16. Sam SCOBLE (8. Karl SLEVIN 71’), 20. Greg THOMAS (21. Prince Quansah 83’)
Unused Subs: 13. Joe WILLIAMS, 18. Daniel PURDY, 30. St.Ares GILARDI
Yellow Cards: Jason SHADE 71’, George Slefendorfas 77’
Red Cards: Nil
Melbourne City FC: 1. Yaren SOZER, 4. Jordan HALL, 5. Leo ATHANASIOU (19. Anthony TARANTO 89’), 8. Ratip CILELI (22. Mehdi SAWARI 83’), 9. Wade DEKKER, 10. Luka PRELEVIC, 11. Stefan ZINNI, 12. Anthony RIZK, 15. Luke GALLO, 16. Matthew MILLAR (17. Joseph MONEK 62’), 21. Ali EYIGUN
Unused subs: 18. Baley ROW, 20. Jack WEST-ASTUTI
Yellow cards: 21. Ali EYIGUN 88’
Red cards: Nil
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