By Damir Kulas

Photo: Sean Ellicott

Bentleigh Greens has put its recent form slump behind it to record a 2-1 victory over Pascoe Vale in a passionate encounter at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Friday Night.

A first half belter from Liam McCormick was cancelled out by a Matthew Lazarides goal in the second half before Ryan de Vries popped up with a 64th minute winner. 

Bentleigh came into the contest looking to end a baron run of form which saw the side winless in its past three matches, while Pascoe Vale were on a five-game winning streak. 

The visitors had the game’s first opportunity when Michael Ferrante’s effort sailed just wide of Ryan Scott’s left hand post.

Chris Lucas then almost opened the scoring for the Greens when he was played through by Holmes but flashed his shot across goal despite getting the better of Pascoe Vale goalkeeper Alex Pavlidis.

The shot-stopper was then called into action to deny de Vries after he was played in by Lucas with Pavlidis spreading himself well to make a sharp save. 

However he could not do anything to deny the Greens soon after as McCormick unleashed a curling effort from range which sailed into the top corner of the net for the lead. 

Bentleigh continued to attack with Pavlidis clearing a cross away which fell into the path of Daniel Visevic whose spectacular volley went wide of goal.

Pascoe Vale had one last chance before the break as Davey van’t Schip’s over the top ball found Lazarides who was unable to force his lob on target despite beating the oncoming Scott. 

Lucas almost doubled the Greens' lead as McCormick’s ball from the left found the onrushing Lucas in the middle but Pavlidis did well to save with his legs.

The away side would go on to equalise just after the hour as a cutback inside the box found Lazarides who duly tucked the ball home to level the scoring.

Vale almost immediately took the lead as an advantage played for a foul on Joseph Youssef found van’t Schip but his shot across the goal did not trouble Scott.

Up the other end, an attempted one-two between de Vries and Holmes saw a flick from a Vale defender diverted into the path of de Vries who headed past Pavlidis to restore the Greens lead. 

Vitale Ferrante’s men missed a golden opportunity to equalise once more on the stroke of the ninety as a Luca Santilli corner saw Adam Nakic rise highest but the defender was unable to turn his header onto target as the ball went over. 

But Bentleigh prevailed come the end of the ninety in what must come as a huge relief for John Anastasiadis as his side holds onto top spot on the ladder while Pascoe Vale’s eight game unbeaten run came to an end on the night. 

Bentleigh Greens 2 (McCormick 21, de Vries 64) defeated Pascoe Vale 1 (Lazarides 62) at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex

BG: 1. Ryan Scott (GK), 4. Troy Ruthven, 5. Jack Webster, 6. Liam McCormick, 8. Wayne Wallace, 9. Chris Lucas (22. Austin Wong 90’), 10. Tyson Holmes, 11. Dion Kirk, 19. Daniel Visevic, 23. Ryan de Vries (16. Luke O’Dea 88’), 24. Luke Pilkington

Unused Subs: 7. Jamie de Abreu, 17. Ryan Love, 44. Anthony Madafferi (GK)

Yellow Card(s): Visevic 44, Holmes 57, Lucas 59

Red Card(s): None

PV: 35. Alex Pavlidis (GK), 2. Adrian Talarico, 4. Adam Nakic, 7. Luca Santilli, 8. Joseph Youssef, 10. Davey van’t Schip, 13. Matthew Lazarides, 15. Mark Pistininzi (18. Tom Black 60’), 16. Tomi Milardovic, 21. Michael Ferrante, 23. Jake Halliday

Unused Subs: 1. Dennys Martin (GK), 3. Nathan Megic, 6. Carl Recchia

Yellow Card(s): Santilli 33, Pistininzi 45, Nakic 56

Red Card(s): None