By Rory Flanagan (@rory_flanagan)

Moreland City's long trip to Murray United has proved to be a fruitful one by returning home with all three points in the bag thanks to goals from Kam Simsek and Corey Thomas. 

The last time Moreland City arrived in Wodonga they were greeted by torrential rain and their round nine clash consequently postponed; this time they were met with brutal challenges from Murray midfield duo Ryan Giles and Ashley Dunn from the outset.

The latter went on to have an outstanding game in a frustrating afternoon for the hosts. 

It took over half an hour before Adam Waters was presented with the first clear chance after a slick team move, but lashed his effort straight at Galgano from 18 yards. 

Just two minutes later the Moreland shot stopper was on song once again to deny Dunn from distance and Zac Walker's follow-up before the former A-League prospect was forced off through injury, replaced by 17-year old Lionel Masudi. 

While waiting to make the aforementioned substitution, Moreland took the lead against the run of play. The impressive Ossie Kose delivered a wicked cross from the left onto the forehead of veteran striker Kam Simsek who thumped his effort past Nathan Brown into the back of the net. 

Despite only having a two-day break compared to Moreland's nine days, the hosts had all the running in the second stanza after surviving what appeared to be a clear cut penalty shout. 

With Moreland skipper Shane Carr continuously shutting down the majority of Murray's forays forward, it was left to Dunn to singlehandedly manufacture half chances from distance. 

The former Salford City man blasted another venomous strike from distance that yet again Galgano acrobatically swatted away.

Three minutes later Masudi was presented with an empty net after Galgano's clearance ricocheted high in the air, but the forward was bamboozled by a spinning bounce and missed the ball completely. 

That was as close as it came for Murray, with Corey Thomas sealing the points after Liam Francis pounced on hesitation from the hosts' defence and gifted his number eight a tap-in. 

The victory was Moreland's fourth on the trot with two winnable games ahead against Springvale White Eagles and Bruswick, whilst Murray travel to Bendigo next week.

 

Match details:

Murray United 0 lost to Moreland City 2 (Simsek 43', Thomas 86')

Murray United: Nathan Brown (GK), Angus Kelly (Hussein Ntakirutimana 57'), Sean Pye, Ben Chaffey, Michael Jessup, Ashley Dunn, Ryan Giles (C), Matthew Hasler (Tom Morrison 74'), Darcy Pawlik, Adam Waters, Zac Walker (Lionel Masudi 44')

Unused subs: Josh O'Brien, Ben Russell

Bookings: none

Moreland City: Brandon Galgano (GK), Yang Tou Yeng, Shane Carr (C), Ioannis Avramidis, Nej Sahin,  Quinn McDonald, Corey Thomas, Ossie Kose (Julien Dos Santos 83'), Kam Simsek (Liam Francis 63'), Liam Brian (Lisandro Paz 69'), Rob Bazzano.

Unused subs: Finn Huzzey, Gustavo Ferrada.

Bookings: none