Kingston clips Eagles wings
By Jason Turner (@jaseangelo)
Kingston City has snapped its three game losing streak with comfortable 4-1 victory against local rivals Springvale White Eagles on Monday night.
Springvale rued missed chances as Kingston City capitalised with devastating effect, adding gloss a lopsided scoreline which was arguably a little harsh on the visitors.
Goals for Velibor Mitrovic, Max Etheridge and an Andrew Doig brace secured victory.
The game was still up for grabs at half time with Slaven Vranesevic pulling a goal back to make the game 2-1, but the White Eagles’ lack of composure up front continued to haunt them.
The Grange Reserve crowd was given an early taste of what was to come as the Eagles enjoyed an early spell of pushing back the Kingston defence.
Springvale’s Hamish Millar had his 21st minute effort smothered well by Kingston’s Nicholaus Woolward, after latching onto the end of a pinpoint through ball.
However, this spell of promise soon evaporated as Springvale grew increasingly frustrated at its inability to finish and it wasn’t long until the hosts pounced.
After some neat lead up play around the penalty area, Doig slotted home from the edge of the area to reward his side’s improved period of play.
Doig then extended the lead minutes later with another similar lead up and finish.
Kingston City appeared to gradually work itself into the contest and maintain a consistent level, but its opponent only threatened in short bursts, while its defence was under increasing pressure.
Springvale’s comeback hopes were given a major boost on the verge of half time however when Vranesevic’s free kick managed to find its way through the wall and past a flat footed Woolward.
The visitors then enjoyed one of their promising bursts after the break creating a few chances.
Substitute Stojan Milojevic found himself clear but he took too long on the ball, while another chance was snuffed by a last ditch tackle.
After a half-hearted penalty claim for the visitors following a challenge on Sanni Dauda, the White Eagles were made to pay.
Lacklustre marking from a free kick allowed the hosts’ leading goalscorer Etheridge enough space to finish comfortably and effectively secure the points.
Springvale inevitably piled men forward but the hosts found a way to add some icing to scoreline late on, after City keeper Woolward’s long punt was wonderfully controlled by Mitrovic, who finished past Bojan Tomic.
Kingston City coach Nick Tolios was proud of his team withstanding Springvale’s strong start.
“The first 20-25 minutes, they [Springvale] were all over us, we could’ve been 1 or 2 nil down. This time we stuck it out and didn’t concede,” he said.
“We turned the game around and credit to our guys they kept on persisting.”
Springvale White Eagles coach Zed Mihajlovic rued his side missing early chances to go ahead.
“We’re not clinical enough and we get punished at the wrong end with one attack. We went down two-nil with basically two chances for them. While we had about five,” he said.
However, Mihajlovic was scathing about how they conceded the two second half goals.
“I don’t have words for it - seriously. When you’re defending you’ve got to be marking and if you’re not touch-tight, I don’t know where you are on the park.”
Next weekend, the victors travel to Bulleen while Springvale host FC Bendigo.
Match Details
Kingston City 4 (Doig 29’ 35’, Etheridge 71’, Mitrovic 87’) defeated Springvale White Eagles 1 (Vranesevic 44’) at The Grange Reserve. [HT: 2-1]
Kingston City: 13. Nicholaus WOOLWARD (GK), 11. George STAVRIDIS, 2. Peter LORD, 4. James KARVELIS, 20. Nick MILIARESIS (5. Kemal CURAN 67’), 7. Velibor MITROVIC, 15. Gino DEFEO (18. Tass ASAPITOS 73’), 16. Nick STAMATIOU,12. Stelios KONSTANTINIDIS (14. Arthur PAPADAPOULOS 79’), 19. Andrew DOIG 9. Max ETHERIDGE.
Unused Subs: 10. John MACLEAN, 1. Peter KOUNDAVIS.
Yellow Cards: Mitrovic 33’, Stamatiou 85’
Red Cards: -
Springvale White Eagles: 12. Bojan TOMIC (GK), 4. Simo JOVANOVIC, 5. Scott MILLAR , 6. Slavisa SARIC (10. Stojan MILOJEVIC 57’), 3. Joey CALDERONE (18. Ryan DON PAUL 57’), 8. Marcus HOLMES, 17. Slaven VRANESEVIC, 22. Milan JOVANOVIC , 21. Dejan ERAKOVIC (11. Sanni DAUDA 57’), 19. Vojislav MILOJEVIC, 14. Josh BOWEN, 13. Hamish MILLAR.
Unused Subs: 30. Anthony CASSETT, 22. Milan JOVANOVIC.
Yellow Cards: -
Red Cards: -
Last Modified on 19/08/2014 10:49
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