Crossbar denies Werribee point against South
By Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_)
The crossbar has come between Werribee City and a famous point against South Melbourne, as last year’s champion recorded a 2-1 win at Galvin Park on Sunday afternoon to continue its perfect start to the season.
Chasing the game after going down 2-0 in the first half, Werribee bombarded the visitors with a barrage of attack in search of an equaliser, and it almost came in stoppage time, only to be denied by the crossbar after a header from Steven Cudrig.
Coming off a midweek fixture away to Bentleigh Greens just four days earlier, Werribee struggled to get out the blocks against a fresh South outfit.
It took South Melbourne just 13 minutes to get on the scoreboard when Iqbal Jawadi hit a curling shot past Werribee goalkeeper Frano Saric.
South continued to dictate the play with Werribee City struggling to get into gear with what was a lacklustre first half showing.
South extended its lead in the 33rd minute with Nick Epifano the beneficiary of a smart attacking move that Werribee couldn’t handle.
The hosts came out the stronger in the second half.
Werribee was back in the game in the 66th minute as sub Julian Cassano finished in front of goal, after some great lead-in play by Ryan Filipovic.
The big defender marched through the South backline, jetting past all who got in his way, crossing a ball in for Cassano who was left with the easiest of finishes.
Werribee threatened to take a point off South Melbourne as they took the game right up to the defending champs.
Cudrig’s header against the crossbar was the best chance Werribee had in its final attacking barrage.
It also proved the last with South Melbourne holding on to make it three wins to kick off 2015 in as many matches.
Match Details
Werribee City 1(Julian Cassano 67’) DEFEATED BY South Melbourne 2(Iqbal Jawadi 13’, Nick Epifano 33’) at Galvin Park. [HT:2-0]
Werribee City: 1. Frano SARIC (GK), 3. Ryan FILIPOVIC, 4. Simon COLLOSIMO, 11. Bobby VIDANOVSKI (8. Danial CHAABANI 46’), 15. Nicola CAROFIGLIO (14. Julian CASSANO 60’), 23, Steven CUDRIG, 13. Milan SAVIC(C) (5. Aturo YMERI 83’), 19. Rob NAUMOVSKI, 10. Chris CRISTALDO, 7. Simon ZAPPIA, 6. Anthony RAGUSA
Unused Subs: 22. Josh JOKIC, 41. Julien Cringasu
Yellow Cards: Cudrig (45’) Colosimo (90’)
South Melbourne: 1. Nicola Roganovic (GK), 2. Tim Mala (23. Andy Kecojevic 4’), 5. Luke Adams, 3. Kristian Konstantinidis (13. Dane Milovanovic 46’), 4. Michael Eagar (C), 6. Bonel Obradovic, 7. Nick Epifano, (17. Leigh Minopoulos 68’) 9. Milos Lujic, 10. David Stirton, 11. Brad Norton, 12. Iqbal Jawadi
Unused Subs: 15. Cody Martindale, 17. Andy Brennan
Yellow cards: None
PHOTO: Cindy Nitsos
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