By Eva Worden

Bendigo FC and Box Hill United have played out a stalemate 1-1 draw at Truscott Reserve on Saturday.

Box Hill cemented its lead in the match early with a goal from Rinor Muriqi in the 12th minute, and it looked like the visitors had the result in the bag until the 88th minute mark when Bendigo’s Mathew Breeze scored for the home side. 

Early in the game the hosts found themselves defending against a strong attack, but that did not deter them, and Viktor Rodriguez almost scored after a cross and attempt at goal.

However it was Rinor Muriqi’s goal after a free kick in the 12th minute which really woke Bendigo up.

The hosts defence ramped up a notch with Aaron Cohen and Victor Rodriguez preventing Muriqi from getting the ball anywhere near the goal. 

Box Hill almost extended its with a spectacular cross from Matt Waters to Nick Kokolakis, and then on to Chris Irwin, only for Bendigo to gain possession of the ball and snatch the visitors’ chance at another goal. 

Afterwards the dynamic duo Muriqi and Damien Peters passed the ball to and fro with nothing coming from their fancy foot work. 

Then Kokolakis once again tried his luck before halftime, only for the ball to soar wide past the goal. 

After the break both teams fought with more guts ending in the medics being called on to the grounds and despite many chances on goal, none came to fuition. 

Box Hill’s ‘keeper Alexander Pavlidis and the host’s George Slefendorfas clashed, luckily neither were significantly injured and both played on.

Chris Irwin later shot at goal with no success as the ball flew over the goals. 

The visitors once again tried to score with a free kick only for Bendigo’s Christopher Xerri to leap and catch the ball.

George Slefendorfas then stormed towards the goal up the line and crossed the ball to Mathew Breeze who finished past Pavlidis to even the score in the 88th minute. 

Both sides pushed each other attempting to the win it late on, however neither were successful and the match ended 1-1. 

Box Hill United coach Arthur Georgiou was proud of the team’s effort.

“Bendigo didn’t allow us to perform the way we usually do but the effort was definitely there,” Georgiou said.

“In the 76th minute I was thinking about how well they executed the second half in information and direction but a lapse of concentration on the right hand side cost us a goal.”

Bendigo FC coach Steve Martin was overall proud of how far the team has come.

“In the second half we moved the ball well around and created some oppourtunities and defensively we were solid all day,” Martin said.

“It’s a work in progress, these boys are stepping up to this level, it’s about consistent performance week in week out and today I was pleased the boys could show where we are at and how far we have come.”

Next week Bendigo FC takes on Springvale White Eagles and Box Hill United will be up against Sunshine George Cross.

MATCH DETAILS

Bendigo FC 1 (Breeze 88’) has drawn with Box Hill United 1 (Muriqi 12’). 

Bendigo FC: 22. Christopher XERRI (GK), 2.Ben SHAPER, 5. Josh ROMEIN, 6. Alon BLUMGART, 8. Victor RODRIGUEZ, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Mathew BREEZE, 12. Eshoo SHE (95’), 14. Ryan DAVIDSON, 15. Aaron COHEN, 16. Steve MARTIN, 17. Jonathan RYAN

Unused subs: 1 Stares GILARDI, 11. Josh DWYER, 13. Finn HUZZEY, 18. Daniel Purdy

Yellow cards: Aaron COHEN 76’

Box Hill United: 35. Alexander PAVLIDIS (GK), 3. Matt COLLIER, 4 Chris IRWIN, 7. Damien PATERS, 10. Rinor MURIQI, 11. Matt WATERS, 12. Adrian DEL MONACO, 20. Kenjok ATHIC (70’) 22. Nick KOKOLARIS, 23. Josh VALADON, 26. Aaron PORCARO, 29. George HOWARD

Unused subs: 5. Alex SCHRDEN, 16. Thomas SIMOS, 21. Christian PAVLIDIS, 42. Michael GERACE

Yellow cards: George HOWARD 73’

Red cards: None