By Shaun Moran (@moranshaun)

Avondale Heights kicked off its NPL 1 season by withstanding a valiant FC Bendigo to prevail 3-2 at the Darebin International Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Opeksiy Khrapko and Bosin Georgevski pairing were instrumental in getting the hosts off to the ideal start.

Khrapko’s poise saw him hold off his defender and instead of shooting, the talented forward cut the ball back inboard to the oncoming Georgevski, who calmly side footed the ball home.

Avondale raced out of the blocks at the beginning of the second half and managed to open up a two-goal buffer in the process.

Khrapko was again involved, this time putting in a delightful ball for Bale Micovski who made no mistake by caressing the ball past a helpless Sebastian Mattei.

The every dangerous 2-0 scoreline remained true to its reputation when Bendigo initiated a stirring fight back.

Route one football proved highly effective as it culminated with the visitors pegging back the deficit to one goal.

Mattei’s punt from his box was flicked on by George Slefendorfas and landed at the feet of Amara Kromah, who made no mistake when lobbing the ball over Anthony Saric.

The momentum swayed in Bendigo’s favour and it found an equaliser shortly after. Steve Martin leapt the highest to meet Matthew Breeze’s well placed corner and nodded the ball home.

Bendigo’s joy was short-lived though. Khrapko, who was involved in the first two goals, went one step further and coolly finished with a quarter of an hour to spare, and in doing so ensured that his team would prevail.

A stiff breeze made for a scrappy opening, until Avondale Heights struck the first blow.

Bendigo reacted well to the goal and would’ve hit back immediately had they had the finishing touch.

Slefendorfas spurned two wonderful opportunities to reassert his side on the game, while Finn Huzzey could have done better moments prior to halftime.

Avondale fashioned some chances of its own in the second stanza and went ever so close on two occasions.

Culculoglu and Khrapko both hit the woodwork, but it ultimately failed to prove decisive as their side held on for the win.

Avondale coach Anthony Barbieri lauded his team’s forward line after the match.

“I thought that we were always a threat up forward,” Barbieri said.

“We carved out chances. They were quite physical and hard at it and we needed to match them and credit to our boys, we did.

“Three points, first game of the season, we’ll take that.”

FC Bendigo’s assistant coach Franz Weimper tried to take the positives from his side’s first loss of the season.

“There are far too many positives than negatives today,” Weimper said.

“The enthusiasm and positive energy is very good and it’s like a sleeping giant. Manchester United or Real Madrid weren’t built in a day, but we have players and people who handle information being fed.

“They can visualise and process so we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Bendigo will on the road again when it takes on Whittlesea Ranges in Round 2, while Avondale Heights will be hoping for another win at home to Sunshine George Cross.

MATCH DETAILS

FT: Avondale Heights 3 (Georgevski 25', Micovski 46', Khrapko 73’) defeated FC Bendigo 2 (Kromah 56’, Martin 68’)
HT: 1-0

Avondale Heights: 1. Anthony SARIC (GK), 3. Fabian GUGLIANDOLO, 6. Anthony STRANO, 7. Andrew LE PAGE (Burakhan KOCA 75’), 8. Bosin GEORGEVSKI (Jason PRINCIPATO 75’), 9. Anthony FALLONE, 11. Bale MICOVSKI, 24. Resit CULCULOGLU, 31. Michele-Emanuele CRAZIA (Zoran PAJIC 20’), 33. Dean CAMPELJ, 34. Opeksiy KHRAPKO.

Unused subs: 20. John SCOLLO, 27. Julien CANNIZZARO.

Cards: Nil

FC Bendigo: 1. Sebastian MATTEI (GK),4. Aaron COHEN (Tom SHAPER 86’), 5. Josh NAUNTON, 6. Alon BLUMGART, 7. Trent WATERSON, 9. George SLEFENDORFAS, 10. Matthew BREEZE, 11. Amara KROMAH, 13. Finn HUZZEY (Jonathon RYAN 82’), 14. Ryan DAVIDSON, 16. Steve MARTIN

Unused subs: 8. Sam BEESLEY, 15. Zakary KINSMAN, 22. Christopher XERRI.

Yellow card: RYAN 90+1'

Pictured: Avondale Heights in action against FC Bendigo at the State Football Centre (picture: Mark Avellino)