Bendigo, Moreland share spoils in scorcher
Bendigo City FC and Moreland City FC began their PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria odysseys with a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw in sweltering conditions at Epsom Huntly Reserve on Saturday night.
The home side staked its claim early with an early goal from Jordan Seeto, but the lead was cancelled out by a Cory Thomas equaliser.
Gareth Richards put the visitors in front midway through the second half, but a late equaliser from Daniel Purdy resigned Moreland to going home with just one point.
Moreland’s Cory Thomas led an early onslaught for the visitors, but his shots were off the mark, sailing high and wide.
Once Bendigo settled on the ball, it was a spectacular volley from Seeto which gave the hosts their first-ever competitive goal, and the lead, after the 15-minute mark.
But the lead wasn’t to last, with Cory Thomas getting on the end of a Moreland move, and scoring via a deflection off of a Bendigo defender.
The opening minutes of the second half were tense, with both teams threatening to take hold.
Moreland appeared stronger and dominated with early possession of the ball.
The visitor’s possession game proved successful after 68 minutes, when heavy pressure led to a corner, which subsequently found Gareth Richards to put Moreland in the lead 2-1.
The game then became a tug of war between the teams, each trying to keep possession. Both had their share of chances, but ultimately the shots flew high and wide, or right into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
It was not until the final minutes that Corey Slevin pushed past the Moreland players to score the final goal of the match and end the game at a 2-2 draw.
Next week Bendigo City FC take on FC Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club, and Moreland City SC meets Whittlesea Ranges at Campbell Reserve.
MATCH DETAILS
Bendigo City FC 2 (Seeto 15’, Slevin 85’) drew with Moreland City SC (Thomas 46’, Richards 68’) at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve
Bendigo City FC: 1. Gianmarco D’ORIA, 2. Riley DILLON, 3. Jordan SEETO, 4. Daniel REES, 6. Jason SHADE, 7. George McHEILEH, 8. Karl SLEVIN, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Greg THOMAS, 11. Corey SLEVIN, (18. Daniel PURDY 74’) 21. Prince QUANSAH
Unused subs: 13. Joseph WILLIAMS, 14. Keegan SMYTH, 15. Godwill BASHA, 30. Gilards STARES
Yellow Cards: SHADE 20’
Red Cards: Nil
Moreland City FC: 1. Brandon GALGANO, 2. Yang TOU-YENG, 5. Ossie KARA, 6. Julien DEL SANTO, 7. Osman KOSE, 8. Cory THOMAS, 9. Gareth RICHARDS, (11. Kam SIMSEK 81’) 12. Shane CARR, 14. Casey THOMAS, 18. Orrie KARA, (19. Blaine BURRELL 77’), (20. Rob BAZZANO 88’), 21. Nedj SAHIN
Unused subs: 16. Nathan GOURZELAS, 23. Mo KURUCU
Yellow Cards: 14. Casey Thomas 58’
Red Cards: Nil
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