Late goals not enough as Springvale, Sunshine draw
By Billy Green
Springvale White Eagles and Sunshine George Cross have played out a 1-1 draw in a Saturday afternoon not devoid of opportunities and attacking play.
A late goal by Sunshine George Cross’ Martin Mason was followed by a quick equaliser by Springvale White Eagles’ Hernan De Rito to level the scores just before full-time.
The first half was full of missed opportunities, as both teams pressed forward but couldn’t convert any of their chances.
Frustration crept into the second half with both sides picking up their share of yellow cards.
A slopped piece of defending led to a yellow card for Sunshine’s Brandon Scerri, followed soon after by a blatant slide from Christopher Dib to add another yellow card to the tally.
Sunshine began to assert its dominance from the 75th minute as a free kick to Martin Mason saw him centre it in for a swift header to late inclusion Adrian Logozzo, but it floated past the keeper and over the crossbar.
At 80 minutes, the visitors finally got their reward.
After a litter of opportunities throughout the game, Sunshine’s Jacob Attard received a free kick and crossed it in for a clean header into the goals by striker Martin Mason to give his side the lead.
Springvale coach Zed Mihajlovic, now visibly furious, became even more vocal after calling for his defenders to mark Mason seconds before he scored.
As full-time loomed closer, Springvale became the aggressor as they pursued the equaliser.
Midfielder Hernan De Rito, who only debuted a month ago, had been looking dangerous all day with some remarkable technique.
In the 85th minute this paid off, easing past a frantic Sunshine defence and placing his shot into the back of the nets.
A big bump to Sunshine player Adamson Ajayi soon after this saw him hobble off the ground - meanwhile Sunshine almost saw glory as striker Christopher Antoniadis broke past defence into what was a certain goal, only to be called offside.
The young Springvale White Eagles team will walk away from the game pleased with their late efforts, while Sunshine will be disappointed after also conceding a late equaliser last week.
MATCH DETAILS
Springvale White Eagles 1 (Mason 80’) drew with Sunshine George Cross 1 (De Rito 85’) at White Eagles Stadium
Springvale White Eagles: 30. Jeremy SANDOVAL, 2. Jordan BALLERINI, 2. Vedran TOMIC, 6. Slavisa SARIC, 7. Keletso MTHEMBU, 8. Hernan DE RITO, 10. Stojan MILOJEVIC, 13. Hamish MILLAR, 17. Sebastian LECAROS, 15. Milan JOVANOVIC, 21. Dejan ERAKOVIC
Unused Sub(s): 12. Bojan TOMIC, 16. Nemanja SALAMANDIC, 5. Scott MILLAR, 11. Aleksanar MITROVIC
Yellow Card(s): Tomic 52’
Red Card(s): Nil
Sunshine George Cross: 1. James KAPURANOVSKI, 2. Eddie CETKIN, 3. Martin MASON, 5. Christopher DIB, 17. Jacob ATTARD, 15. Nemanta LOJANICA, 8. Slaven VRANESEVIC, 9. Bozidar LOJANICA (14. Joseph SIEH 77’), 13. Christopher ANTONIADIS, 19. Adamson AJAYI (Matthew OGHANNA 89’), 10. Adrian LOGOZZO, 11. Anthony CASSAR, 4. Brandon SCERRI
Unused Sub(s): 21. Akim ABDUL
Yellow Card(s): Brandon Scerri 62’, Christopher Dib 67’
Red Card(s): Nil
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