By Shaun Moran (@moranshaun)

Bentleigh Greens had to twice come from behind to secure all three points at the expense of a young and inexperienced Port Melbourne Sharks side at JL Murphy Reserve on Friday night.

A Brent McGrath brace and goals from Ross Archibald and David Stirton saw the Greens end their four-match winless streak with an exciting 4-2 victory.

Both sides offered plenty from the outset and it was Bentleigh which went the closest when Wayne Wallace let fly with a cannonball that crashed onto the cross bar.

Port Melbourne netted first though in an entertaining period which saw a lot of free-flowing and daring football.

James Riccobene’s left-footed, in-swinging free kick from close to 30 yards out picked out Nicholas Krousoratis, whose deft header looped over the top of Alastair Bray in the Bentleigh goal.
Port’s goal did not faze the visitors, who persisted with their ball retention and high tempo style.

Bentleigh’s positive reaction was rewarded when it squared the ledger just 10 minutes later courtesy of some supreme interplay between Andrew McNamara and McGrath.

The latter seized on the space given to him and delightfully slipped the ball across the line with the outside of his right boot.

Port established its lead almost immediately after through some patience on the part of Kamal Ibrahim. The lively midfielder toyed with his defender before laying off a weighted pass to Lambros Honos, who made no mistake from close range.

The hosts then succumbed to a goal in what was the last of the action of the first period. McNamara was involved again and on this occasion his intelligent pass picked out Archibald, who flung out his right boot to prod the ball over the line.

John Anastasiadis’ charges did not give up and were rewarded with their crucial third goal midway through the second stanza.

David Stirton’s fiercely hit ball picked out Liam McCormick, who had a pop on goal. Despite Adam Hrehoresin being able to keep out the initial shot, he was unable to prevent McGrath from pouncing on the rebound and slamming the ball into the back of the net.

Port had itself to blame for handing the match to Bentleigh late on which came about through some indolent defending. Substitute Alessandro Venezia’s casual pass was intercepted by Stirton, who hurtled towards goal before smartly putting the ball away to land the killer blow in the 82nd minutes.

Notwithstanding Port’s at times effective counter-attacking approach, Bentleigh’s ruthlessness ultimately helped it reap the dividends.

Its coach John Anastasiadis said he was relieved with the much-needed win.

“We needed this win today and I think you’ll see a totally different Bentleigh from now on,” Anastasiadis said.

“The boys applied themselves very well today and played with passion and wanted it from the start.”

Port Melbourne boss Eric Vassiliadis reflected on yet another match which saw his team lose after being ahead.

“Sometimes you have to admit that the other team might be more tactically advanced and I felt that in the first half, our desire to want to hit them on the break worked for us,” Vassiliadis said.

“But overall, I think that the result showed that they were the better team in terms of creating chances and ultimately scoring them as well.”

Port will be seeking to give its home fans something to cheer about at the same place and time next week against Pascoe Vale, while Bentleigh faces a tricky task away to Hume City on Sunday afternoon.

The Greens will be without star midfielder Luc Jeggo for the remainder of the season, after he ruptured his ACL in training during the week.

MATCH DETAILS

Port Melbourne 2 (Krousoratis 24’, Honos 40’), defeated by Bentleigh Greens 4 (McGrath 36’ 65’, Archibald 45’+3, Stirton 82’) at JL Murphy Reserve [HT: 2-2]

Port Melbourne: 1. Adam HREHORESIN (GK), 7. Amadu KOROMA, 6. Christopher GROSSMAN, 9. Milos RIDESIC (15. Stefan NIGRO 30’), 3. James RICCOBENE, 5. Nick TZOULIS (8. Alessandro VENEZIA 67’), 10. Luka PRELEVIC, 26. Lambros HONOS, 14. Kamal IBRAHIM, 27. Andrew MILICEVIC, 11. Nicholas KROUSORATIS (18. Joshua KWEIFIO-OKAI 66’).

Unused subs: 22. Alexander CONNELL, 4. John LAZARIDIS.

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Bentleigh Greens: 21. Alastair BRAY, 2. Thomas MATTHEWS, 3. James CUMMING, 5. Jack WEBSTER, 24. Luke PILKINGTON, 6. Ross ARCHIBALD (77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS 84’), 8. Wayne WALLACE, 25. Andrew McNAMARA (9. Luke O’DEA 71’), 19. Liam McCORMICK (7. Jamie DE ABREU 86’), 10. David STIRTON, 11. Brent McGRATH.

Unused subs: 15. Christian CAVALLO, 31. Andrew GIANNOS.

Yellow Cards: Wallace (55’), Archibald (62’)

Red cards: Nil

Image credit: Graeme Furlong