By Jason Turner

Kingston City held on for a 2-1 victory against a fast finishing Moreland City in an entertaining match at CB Smith Reserve on Wednesday night.
The visitors were cruising to victory after going two goals ahead early in the second half, until Moreland’s Corey Thomas set up a tense and frenetic finish.
Both sides had chances in the closing stages, however, the goals from Sean McIlroy and Andrew Doig were enough to secure the points for the NPL 1 East side.
Kingston settled into the contest earlier than their in form opponents, with McIlroy having the first chance of the game saved well by Brandon Galgano.
They looked dangerous, the controlling presence of Andrew Doig and Nicholas Stamatiou in midfield linked well with their attack.
The pressure eventually cracked Moreland City, with Stamatiou’s piledriver only parried into the path of grateful McIlroy, who edged ahead of his marker to knock home.
Moreland gradually edged themselves back into the game, creating a couple of efforts on goal without really testing Douglas Lindberg, although a Liam Brian volley went inches over close to the break.
The first chance of the second half was swiftly taken by Doig, after finding himself unmarked from a set piece, his header could only be parried straight back into his own feet, allowing him finish.
After securing the two-goal advantage, the visitors seemed content to retreat and revert away from their original attacking gameplan.
With more possession and more urgency Moreland made it increasingly uncomfortable for Kingston’s back four.
Winger Casey Thomas proved a constant menace linking up with Brian and his brother Corey.
They were rewarded after a deflected cross fell into the path of an advancing Corey Thomas near the penalty spot, who smashed home.
The home fans’ hopes of a comeback looked promising with the momentum shifting away from Kingston.
Five minutes after the Welshman pulled a goal back, Lisandro Paz should have equalised after being played through, he slid his shot centimetres wide.
Kingston also had chances to ease their nerves, McIlroy had two opportunities but could only edge them wide.
Moreland’s Brian had a close range shot blocked by Jamal Clarke, while Kingston City substitute Deniz Sabanovski should have ended the contest in stoppage time.

MATCH DETAILS

Moreland City 1 (Corey Thomas 63’) lost to Moreland City (Sean McIlroy 33’, Andrew Doig ) at CB Smith Reserve [HT: 0-1]

Moreland City: 1. Brandon Galgano (GK), 2. Yang Tou-Yeng 12. Shane Carr, 21. Nej Sahin, 5. Yanni Avramidis, 17. Liam Brian, 8. Corey Thomas, 4. Quinn McDonald, 10. Liam Francis (23. Muhammed Kuruku 79’), 9. Lisandro Paz, 14. Casey Thomas
Unused Substitute(s): 18. Orrie Kara, 16. Nathan Gouzelas, 11. Chris Nichols, 7. Alex Petrovski.

Kingston City: 24. Douglas Lindberg (GK), 2. George Stavridis, 3. Jamal Clarke, 4. James Karvelis, 5. Nicholas Teichmann, 19. Andrew Doig, 16. Nicholas Stamatiou, 15. Hamish Millar (14. Damien Iaconis 82’), 10. Jamie De Smit (8. Deniz Sabanovsk 67’), 9. Sean McIlroy, 7. Benjamin Osei-Safo (20. Steven Fergadiotis 90’)
Unused Substitute(s): 15. Gino Defeo, 13. Peter Koundalis.