By Marc Sudholz (@marc_014)

Box Hill has triumphed over Nunawading City 2-1 in an entertaining Easter Sunday contest at Mahoney’s Reserve.

A classy performance from Nunawading goalkeeper Keegan Coulter wasn't enough to hold off Box Hill, as goals from Travis Chalk-Hatton and Frank Carafa were enough for the visitors to seal the three points.

Box Hill took the lead after just two minutes.

Chalk-Hatton pounced on a loose ball, before noticing Coulter out of position in the City goal, proceeding to finish expertly from 20 yards into an open net.

15 minutes in, Chris Gurr was the subject of a harsh two-footed tackle from Alex Schroen, but the referee deemed the offence only worthy of a yellow card, to the surprise of many in the crowd.

Stanislav Goldberg was next to trouble the hosts, tearing through the defence, before firing a shot wide of the post.

On 25 minutes, Franc Carafa found himself one on one with Coulter, but he was brilliantly denied by the ex-victory stopper.

The next clear chance came eight minutes after, Lucas Johns having a shot stunningly saved by Coulter, who was proving very solid in goal.

Five minutes later, Johns found himself free in the box, but his shot hit the post, Chalk-Hatton’s follow up saved by Coulter.

In the shadows of half time, Box Hill keeper’ Alex Connell mistimed a punch, but David Antequera could only put his volley wide.

The second half started with a bang, Box Hill nearly doubling the lead after three minutes.

The ever-threatening Carafa found himself through on goal, but was denied well by Coulter, before Schroen saw his header superbly saved down low.

Soon after, Johns hit the post for a second time, this time with a header from a Goldberg corner, as the visitors piled on the pressure.

On 61 minutes, Carafa hit the crossbar, Box Hill desperately unlucky not to be two up.

The next goal, however, would be the hosts’.

Substitute John-Luc Silvestri had an immediate impact, surging into the box, before finding Ivan Skorich, who finished superbly first time.

It was a shock equaliser, however, Box Hill would regain the lead almost immediately.

Goldberg did well to cut out a pass in midfield, before finding Chalk-Hatton, who then played it through to Carafa, who finished from the edge of the box stunningly, curling it into the top-right corner, leaving the superb Coulter no chance.

Johns was guilty of missing a couple of gilt-edged chances as Box Hill tried to kill the game late on, whilst Coulter made two more impressive saves from two Goldberg free-kicks.

Box Hill held on to take a deserved three points.

Match Details

Nunawading City 1 (Skorich 62’) defeated by Box Hill United 2 (Chalk-Hatton 1’, Carafa 65’) at Mahoney’s Reserve, Forest Hill.

Nunawading City XI: 1: Keegan COULTER (GK), 23: Jack GOW, 10: Ivan SKORICH, 6: Ivan LOUZIOTIS (14: Leon ANEZAKIS 68’) 7: Anthony GIANNOPOLOUS (19: John-luc SILVESTRI 61’), 12: Chris GURR, 17: David MOROVIC, 8: Mincen CUI, 3: Trung LUU (16: Spencer EGAN-TANNER 80’), 5: Peter EVANGELAKOS, 9: David ANTEQUERA,

Sub: 22: Dylan TERVIT

Yellow Cards: Giannopolous 11’, Luu 59’

Red Cards: None.

Box Hill United XI: 1: Alex CONNELL (GK), 5: Alex SCHROEN, 11: Sebastien BARRERO, 25: Michael GODFREY, 18: Joey CALDERONE, 23: Stanislav GOLDBERG, 24: Shaun PETERSON (2: Nikola SURDOSKI 80’), 21: Travis CHALK-HATTON (20: George KALAS 89’), 14: Lucas JOHNS, 10: Franc CARAFA.

Subs: 35: Taylor Davidson (GK), 19: Christian Lar, 15: Jerome Costanza.

Yellow Cards: Schroen 13’, Peterson 38’

 

PHOTO: Paul Seeley / The Man in the Stands