Round 19 North Geelong Warriors (5) vs Altona City (0)
North Geelong Warriors put a hapless Altona City away 5-0 on Saturday to further consolidate it’s spot on top of the ladder and keeping the promotion dream alive.
In reserves action a solid team effort resulted in a 2 – 1 win for North Geelong who were depleted due to illness and injury. Regardless they showed that they are able to overcome the reshuffle with simple football and playing the ball to advantage. Well-done lads.
In seniors action, it was obvious from the beginning that the Warriors wanted it more, passing to feet, presenting for options and aggressive running provided the momentum. Demo, Kuna and Trupkovic were all busy in the opening minutes, narrowly missing early goal attempts. Altona City built up it’s first chance halfway through the first half with a crossed ball into the box which swerved in the stiff wind and the header was saved well, down low by Zilic. Seconds later it was North Geelong surging forward, Trupkovic’s diagonal ball found Kuna who running hard with the ball, forced the Altona defender to commit to tackle, but he tackled at the wrong time though and gave the Warriors a penalty as well as reducing the Altona side to 10 men. Saric stepped up and converted with confidence. The Warriors continued to dominate in the first half. Cervinksi had a set piece opportunity, which replicated the one from last week, but it whistled millimetres wide this time. The half ended at 1 – 0 for the Warriors.
The second half saw North Geelong continue to dominate. Kuna who was causing headaches for his opponent was presenting for everything. His running with the ball at his feet was a delight to witness. It was that which brought on the second goal as he worked his way into the box from a Cervinksi sliding ball. Once again his opponent barrelled him over and gave Saric another opportunity at goal. Saric converted and Altona were done. After that it was a display of a teamwork, which brought on admiration from the abundant crowd. Patient and precise ball movement created gaping holes in Altona’s depleted defence, Cervinksi, Trupkovic and Patti we giving their wider options plenty. Gavran and Tabak were probing to find the feet of Matthew Demo in the box and in doing that Demo struck up North Geelong’s third goal with a strike of the highest quality, low and hard, no keeper in the world would have got to it. The pressure from Demo on his defenders in the second half caused Altona to panic and not clear the ball and that presented Demo with another opportunity to which he made no mistake, Demo who was celebrating his 18th birthday capped it off brilliantly for North Geelong’s fourth goal. Second half substitute and crowd favourite Robert Zadworny came on and immediately went looking for a piece of the action. Two near misses by him showed that North Geelong weren’t done and wanted to march on. They got their fifth from a nicely placed finish from the hard working Kuna, who deserved it, as he presented and pressured all day for the side. The game ended with delight a 5 – 0 win. We now head to Epping Stadium on Friday night to take on 2nd placed Thomastown Devils in a season defining game.
In Women’s action on the weekend the Women Warriors took on Western Suburbs away and in difficult conditions and stood firm to earn themselves a 0–0 draw. After a recent spate of losses the girls can take much heart out of this result. Our Under 15A side also came out of the derby match against GRFA with a 0-0 result. They remain on top of the ladder with 3 rounds to go. The young Warriors in Under 11 FFV action had a solid 2-0 win against Hoppers Crossing, which sees them now in 3rd place now.
Well done to all our teams, from the youngest to the oldest, you continue to make your club, coaches and especially your parents and families very proud.
For all those who have booked spots on the bus to Epping Stadium on Friday, we’ll start gathering at the Australian Croatian Association (The Dom) – Separation St Bell Park from 5pm onwards. Bus departs 6pm sharp. $10 per passenger 16 years and older. Children under 16 free. Refreshments available on the bus.
