Bentleigh Greens coach John Anastasiadis has described his side’s first half performance on Friday night as one of the best 45 minutes spells he’s overseen during his four years at the club.
The Greens took a 2-0 lead into the break against last year’s NPL Victoria Champions South Melbourne as Matt Thurtell and Chris Lucas capitalised with two wonderfully orchestrated team goals.
“The first half was probably one of the best halves we’ve had all year – even from all the other years,” Anastasiadis said.
“Second half, for some reason we were very deep and then we couldn’t get out. We couldn’t get a hold of the ball, our movement was a bit less than it was in the first half,” Anastasiadis added as Bentleigh surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw level at full-time.
“They took a few risks and it paid off for them. In saying that though, we had some quality classic chances in the second half to score goals.
“There is a debate about the ball being over the line [following a late scramble inside the Greens penalty area]. Apparently it was, unfortunately we don’t have goal line technology in the NPL yet, nevertheless I though it was a fair result – a game of two halves.”
The 46-year-old also labelled Thurtell’s 30th minute opener as one of the best team goals he had witnessed as both a coach or player.
The striker capped off a sensational build up following a neat combination with captain Wayne Wallace, nestling the ball across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.
“Absolutely,” Anastasiadis said when asked if the Greens’ first was one of the best goals he had seen over his esteemed career.
“I think it was fantastic. The ball playing we had in the first half was sensational, I can’t fault the boys.
“It was hard to actually say something at half-time about it but again those type of movements is what we expect of Matty and the movement of all the boys to lead to the goal scoring opportunity and Matty took his chance – it was a quality goal.
“I can’t fault their effort but we’ve got to be better than that, we’ve got to hold onto a 2-0 lead.
Shifting his attention towards Friday night’s clash against Green Gully, Anastasiadis said his squad will be primed and ready for its Round Six encounter.
“The boys are primed for that, they are ready for anything and they showed in the first half that they’re quality.
“Second half, like I said it wasn’t the best but we can take some positives out of that and we created quite a few chances believe it or not.
“Green Gully is a very good team – [the game versus South Melbourne] was our fifth cup final and we’ve got another 20 to go.
“We said this year every game will be a cup final for us and that’s how it is at the moment.”
Bentleigh Greens host Green Gully this Friday night at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. Kick-off is at 8.15pm.