Bentleigh Greens increased the pressure among the top of the table after a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Oakleigh Cannons.
Taking home all three points could send the Greens top of the table given South Melbourne felt defeat to Richmond, while a triumph for the Cannons could sneak them into 3rd place – and only six points off their opponents.
Luke Pilkington drove home a volley off a Ryan Paczkowski free kick in the third minute, just in time for the wet weather to make itself known on the Jack Edwards surface.
The scores were then leveled in the 25th minute when Goran Zoric produced a solo run which saw him surpass multiple defenders, before cheekily lobbing the ball over Ryan Scott.
A Ryan Scott miskicked pass saw the ball fall to Dimitri Hatzimouratis, with the former attempting to redeem himself, although taking out his opponent from behind seven minutes from half time.
Reliable forward Dusan Bosnjak sent the advantage to the home side as he drove the spot kick home, despite Scott guessing the correct side.
John Anastasiadis’ half time talk was changed drastically when the dying moments of the first half saw Matt Thurtell equalise yet again for the visitors.
The ample rain was showing its effect on the fixture when Matt Thurtell’s header in the 55th minute off a John Honos cross failed to gain any momentum.
Captain Wayne Wallace restored faith for the travellers when he drilled home from the edge of the box in the 75th minute.
Wallace was inches from adding a second to his name four minutes later, another effort from the top of the box being deflected out for a corner.
There was skipped heartbeats among the Cannons’ technical area when they appeared to settle the scores at 3-3 – an 86th minute corner finding the back of the net directly, although Scott was judged to have been violated.
Greens’ manager Anastasiadis was overall pleased with the second half surge of his outfit which saw his men emerge with all three points, also explaining how Thurtell’s goal late in the first half was a major influence to the outcome of the fixture.
“The first half we weren’t good enough, [we were] lucky enough to get the goal in the 45th minute which was great to go into the dressing rooms as two-all,” the manager said.
“It could’ve been a different story if it was 2-1, but we came out second half and really stamped our authority on the game with some good football and we thoroughly deserved the win in the end.”
The home side are drawn to face Melbourne Knights in the Dockerty Cup semi final, with the fixture set to be played at Jack Edwards Reserve.
The boss expressed his concern regarding the substandard quality of the wet pitch which he is set to travel to again, appealing to FFV for a possible stadium change.
“It’s a shame, because Oakleigh are a very good team and they do want to play some good football,” Anastasiadis said.
“Unfortunately the ground doesn’t allow you that, we adapted to the conditions quite well and like I said we deserved the win.
“We’ll be making comments to the FFV about [the pitch quality] and hopefully get the game changed because it’s not good enough.
“If we want to be a showcase championship, as the FFV want to be, then we’ve got to have the best grounds available or possible, and at the moment unfortunately this ground isn’t.”
The manager subsequently praised his team’s morale after Scott’s mistake saw a penalty given and his men were quick to help lift the spirits of the young custodian.
“He’s made a mistake and we’re not going to take his head off for it, every player makes a mistake on ground,” the manager stated.
“Unfortunately for keepers, their mistakes are seen more than others, but no doubt that he picked himself up and he’ll learn from it and we’ll all learn from it, so we know what to do from now on.
“That’s what this club’s about, everyone helps each other and sticks up for his team mate, works hard for each other and if someone makes a mistake, we’re not going to put them down for it.”
The boss was also pleased with the versatility of his men, most especially that of Tyson Holmes, who held in-form striker Bosnjak to no goals scored from open play.
“I’ve always wanted to have players in my team which are versatile and can play two or three positions, not just one and we have the luxury of that at the moment,” he said.
“[Holmes] held Dusan Bosnjak really quiet today, I thought he had an exceptional game, I thought he played really smart, and that’s what you want from someone like [Holmes] who’s a very experienced campaigner.”
NPL player of the month for May, Paczkowski, was subbed off early in the match with a bruised rib.
The manager appeared hopeful that he will be fit to participate in next week’s fixture against Melbourne Victory, which could see the Greens steal top spot.
“[The substitution was] 100% an injury, he’s got a bruised rib, so we’re hoping that he’ll be right for the game against Melbourne Victory next week.”
Bentleigh’s triumph means they still remain within one win of stealing top spot, while the Cannons now find themselves further from the top of the table – cemented in 6th place.
The Cannons host a miserable Avondale outfit who have seen four consecutive defeats, a triumph will see them stay in 6th place although keeping further in touch with the peak of the ladder.
Oakleigh Cannons 2 (Zoric 25’, Bosnjak 39’(P)) defeated by Bentleigh Greens 3 (Pilkington 3’, Thurtell 45+3’, Wallace 75’’) at Jack Edwards Reserve.