By Tomasz Ng (@tomaszng07)

FC Bendigo recorded its first ever clean sheet in the NPL 1 as it frustrated Kingston City to win 1-0 in a revised fixture at Grange Reserve on Saturday night.

Issues surrounding its light towers forced Bendigo into the ground switch, but it had no ill effect on the team as Jonathan Ryan’s 29th-minute strike proved crucial to securing the points.

Kingston City was left wondering how it didn’t get anything out of the game however, as it drew a blank in front of goal despite numerous chances to hit back.

The home side was slow out of the block, and almost went behind in just the second minute of the game when George Slefendorfas pounced on a slack pass from Kingston’s defence.

But Sermin Sadikovski read the danger and was quick off his line to save with his feet.

From then on Kingston began to get into a passing groove, with Max Etheridge proving to be the team’s main outlet, even creating a gilt-edged chance for George Stavridis with a superb through ball.

The winger only succeeded in finishing past the far post, much to the disappointment of the home faithful.

Slefendorfas was keeping Kingston City honest on the counter attack, and created a golden chance for Matthew Breeze to open the scoring in the 20th minute.

Breeze’s first attempt was well saved by Sadikovski, while his header from the rebound was once again plucked out of the top corner by the ‘keeper.

Sadikovski would be involved again just before the half hour, as Ryan rifled in a long-range effort towards the top corner.

The ‘keeper acrobatically got a hand to the ball, but was only able to take the sting out of the shot, as it fell into the back of the net.

Kingston was lucky not to be two behind at the break as well, with Slefendorfas putting a free header straight into Sadikovski’s grasp.

Probably after some strong words at halftime, Kingston came out firing after the break and put Bendigo’s defence under immense pressure.

Gino Defeo came the closest from a free kick on the hour, but Sebastian Mattei flew across his goal to palm it safely over the bar.

From the resulting corner, James Karvelis had a free header in the six-yard box, yet only managed to head straight to the ‘keeper.

Despite all the play happening in Bendigo’s half, it still threatened on the counter and Slefendorfas almost extended the lead in the 64th minute.

The Papua New Guinea-born forward scuffed his finish, a big chance gone begging.

With time running out, Karvelis missed another free header inside the box, making everyone wonder if it was just one of those nights.

Then in one of the last kicks of the game, Velibor Mitrovic forced Mattei into another good save, the former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper doing well to keep out the goal-bound effort and secure the three points for Bendigo.

Player-coach Steve Martin was delighted with the win and clean sheet, a big feat considering Bendigo has conceded at least two goals per game all season.

“Defensively it was our first clean sheet of the year and to do that in that fashion away from home, I’m pleased with the boys,” Martin said.

“It was a full 90 minutes of disciplined football and that’s what I asked the boys for at the start

“It gives the boys a bit of belief that we can do it for 90 minutes and get a result.”

Conversely, Kingston City defender James Karvelis was disappointed with the nature of the loss, with missed chances and a slow start costing the hosts.

“We had the opposition on the back foot for the whole second half, but just in the first half a lapse in concentration, took a goal to wake us up and start playing, and it just wasn’t enough in the end,” Karvelis said.

“We didn’t take our chances, but the defence was really good by the opposition.”

Kingston City will look to bounce back next week against a battered Sunshine George Cross, while Bendigo will hope to have its ground ready for the visit of Brunswick City, and a chance to grab back-to-back wins.

Match Details

Kingston City 0 defeated by FC Bendigo 1 (Ryan 29’) at Grange Reserve (HT 0:1)

Kingston City: 1. Sermin SADIKOVSKI (GK), 5. Kemal CURAN, 16. Nicholas STAMATIOU, 4. James KARVELIS, 14. Arthur PAPADOPOULOS (19. Andrew DOIG +46’), 17. Deniz SABANOVSKI, 7. Velibor MITROVIC, 11. George STAVRIDIS (12. Stefan SOLER 69’), 10. John MACLEAN (8. Anthony STAVRIDIS 65’), 15. Gino DEFEO, 9. Max ETHERIDGE

Unused Subs: 3. Stacy TSALKOS, 13. George MALLIARIS

Yellow Cards: Papadopoulos 34’, G. Stavridis 43’, Doig 72’

Red Cards: None

FC Bendigo: 1. Sebastian MATTEI (GK), 4. Aaron COHEN, 5. Josh ROMEIN, 6. Alon BLUMGART, 7. Trent WATERSON, 8. Viktor RODRIGUEZ (11. Amara KROMAH 70’), 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Matthew BREEZE, 14. Ryan DAVIDSON, 16. Steve MARTIN, 17. Jonathan RYAN

Unused subs: 2. Tom SHAPER, 12. Josh NAUNTON, 18. Daniel PERDY, 22. Christopher XERRI

Yellow Cards: Martin 80’

Red Cards:None