By Marissa Lordanic

Green Gully completed a stunning four-goal second-half comeback to defeat Melbourne Knights 4-2 at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon.  

The visitors were ahead at the half time break, thanks to two goals in 10 minutes from Stipo Andrijasevic.

However, Gully came out firing in the second half and goals to Simon Tolli and Evan Christodoulou, as well as a brace to Liam Boland saw the home side pick up all three points.

Green Gully showed its attacking intent from the outset, eager to get into the game after thei side's Round 21 clash against Heidelberg was washed out, but it was the Knights who settled best. 

Andrijasevic was ever present for the visitors with his first real chance, in the 10th minute, flashing across the face of goal after a darting run into the box. 

Melbourne went close to hitting the back of the net in the 30th minute.

The corner kick found Ivan Grgic in the box with the tall defender’s header hitting the cross bar. 

Three minutes later the visitors found the opening goal through Andrijasevic.

Another mazy run saw the striker beat multiple Gully defenders before placing his shot beyond Gully ‘keeper Rani Dowisha. 

In the aftermath of the goal, Gully’s Rodrigo Vargas appeared to suffer a concussion and left the field, being replaced by Liam Scott. 

Two minutes from half time, the Knights got their second.

Andrijasevic was again the goal scorer, this time with an effort from distance. 

Gully came out at half time looking revitalised and attacked the Knights’ goal hard.

In the 58th minute, the home side pegged a goal back through Simon Tolli. 

Tom Murphy’s brilliant, curling cross in from the right hand flank found Tolli, who volleyed home from inside the 18 yard box. 

On the hour mark scores were level.

Boland was on the end of Aaron Cohen’s cross in from the left hand side. 

Gully continued to outplay the Knights in a complete turnaround from the first half.

The home side went on to take the lead in the 74th minute through Christodoulou. 

The comeback was completed in the 84th minute with Boland securing his brace.

A wayward pass from Luke Jurcic saw Boland pounce and come face to face with Knights ‘keeper Chris May; the striker slotting home his 10th goal for Gully since his mid-season move from Oakleigh. 

Match Details

Green Gully SC 4 (Tolli 58’, Boland 60’ 85’, Christodoulou 74’) defeated Melbourne Knights FC 2 (Andrijasevic 33’ 43’) at Green Gully Reserve 

Green Gully SC: 23. Rani DOWISHA, 3. Aaron COHEN, 4. Daniel JONES, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS (7. Liam SCOTT 36’), 8. Tomas MURPHY (21. Luc JEGGO 83’), 9. Evan CHRISTODOULOU, 11. Matthew BREEZE, 16. Simon TOLLI, 17. Alon BLUMGART, 20. Hakeem ALORAIBI, 38. Liam BOLAND

Unused sub(s): 1. Mehmet BALCI, 12. Kozdra NICHOLAS, 15. Connor BOLAND

Yellow card(s): Murphy 16’, Boland 41’

Red card(s): None

Melbourne Knights: 1. Chris MAY (GK), 12. Ivan GRGIC, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 5. Milan BATUR, 11. Anthony COLOSIMO (2. Luke JURCIC 77’), 18. Josh BREKALO (7. Chris TALAJIC 65’), 4. Ben SUREY, 10. Marwan CVITKOVIC, 17. Robbie ZADWORNY 21. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 14. Luis COVARRUBIAS (15. Alex DAO 77’)

Unused Sub(s): 25. Michael O’FARRELL, 3. Anthony KATIFORIS 

Yellow Card(s): Surey 70’, May 81’  

Red Card(s): None