Gully and Northcote rue wasted opportunities

Daniel Quinn

Green Gully and Northcote are ruing their wasted chances after they played out a 1-1 draw in a fiery encounter at Green Gully Reserve, on Saturday afternoon.

It was Gully who took the lead through Johnathan Munoz, who scored an absolute stunning goal, before James Kalifatidis converted from the spot, just before the half-time break.

But both sides had ample chances to find the winner with Joel Nikolic, Jason Hayne, and Kalifatidis the culprits as both sides defended desperately. 

The encounter was also very fiery as six yellow cards were handed out, as the two sides battled and got stuck in.

Meanwhile Jonathan Voulgaris was a stand out for City, splitting the Gully defence a number of times, whilst finding strike partner Kalifatidis.

Gully pressured early and deservedly took the lead through Munoz. The Gully midfielder touched, before emphatically striking on the volley past Chris Theodoridis from the edge of the box, a truly stunning goal.

The Cavaliers were mounting the pressure as they looked to extend their lead, with Hayne, Munoz and Osagie Ederaro all threatening out wide.

Northcote couldn't muster a chance until just before the break, but Kalifatidis scuffed his effort, after pouncing on Roddy Vargas' slip.

But City had a chance to go into the break level, as Jonathan Voulgaris was pushed in the box by Nikolic. Kalifatidis stepped up and successful converted, but referee Alex
Azcurra ordered a retake. However Kalifatidis had the composure to convert once again.

Nikolic had a chance to redeem himself seconds before the half-time whistle, but the Northcote defence cleared the forward's goal bound header off the line.

The second period started off at a high pace with both sides creating opportunities, but Nikolic had a strike wonderfully saved by Theodoridis, before Nikola Roganovic denied Voulgaris.

The chances continued to be created but Kalifatidis butchered another one, after chipping wide.

The Cavaliers started to push for a winner, but Nikolic and Hayne continued to waste their chances, which resulted in the former being substituted.

Kalifatidis had a huge chance to find the winner as his strike went through the hands of Roganovic, but Jones magnificently cleared off the line.

With the last kick of the game the hosts should have found the winner, but Hayne's fantastic first-time drive was saved by Theodoridis, for the points to be shared. 

Green Gully Coach Ian Dobson definitely thought it came down to not finishing the opportunities.

"We create chances and the team is playing well, but things aren't going for us either, we aren't taking the opportunities that present itself, but I thought it was a much improved performance."

Northcote City Coach Goran Lozanovski believed his side could have snatched the three points.

"We were fortunate that we hung in with one goal only, then we equalised. Second-half I thought they were quite good but we had our chances and probably could have pinched it."

Green Gully would hope they can secure their first three points in five as the Cavs host Bentleigh Greens next Saturday, whereas Northcote travel to Richmond on Friday night in hope City can get back on the winning track.

MATCH DETAILS:

GREEN GULLY: 2. Daniel JONES, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 6. Stephen DOWNES, 8. Jason HAYNE, 9. Brent FISHER (22. Muhamed CHAWK 90+1'), 11. Scott ROBSON, 17. Andy VARGAS, 18. Joel NIKOLIC (12. Matthew SANDERS 75'), 19. Jonathon MUNOZ, 20. Osagie EDERERO, 23. Nikola ROGANOVIC

UNUSED SUBS: 1. Michael O'FARREL, 3. Ante CICAK, 21. Christopher DIB

GOAL: Munoz (21')

YELLOW CARDS: Jones (59'), Hayne (69'), Robson (71')

NORTHCOTE CITY: 2. Adriano CHIAPPETTA, 3. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, 5. Bradley TRELOAR, 7. Dean PIEMONTE, 8. James KALIFATIDIS, 10. Alex ROJAS (14. Pasquale VIZZARI 74'), 11. Jonathon VOULGARIS (19. Matthew DEMO 88'), 12. Hayden D'AGOSTINO, 16. Paul SAVIO, 20. Parys OKAI, 22. Chris THEODORIDIS

UNUSED SUBS: 1. Keith GALLAGHER, 17. Ricardo GONZALEZ, 18. Antoni JANKOVSKI

GOAL: Kalifatidis (44' (pen)) 

YELLOW CARDS: D'Agostino (63'), Okai (63'), Voulgaris (83')