Battle of the Greens ends scoreless

By David Manuca

Green Gully and Bentleigh Greens played out a 0-0 draw in a fiery but entertaining encounter at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

The Cavaliers went into the match having scored eleven goals in their past two games but lacked any real cutting edge in the final-third failing to find the net for only the third time this season.

Gully played VTC mid-week which proved to be a contributing factor in their inability to find the back of the net as the players seemed to be fatigued both physically and mentally.

Bentleigh came into the game without a win since exactly a month ago and seemed to be content with a point against an in-form Green Gully. They had Peter Gavalas to thank for keeping the Cavaliers scoreless as he made a number of incredible saves throughout the match.

The first of his many saves came just six minutes in when Jason Hayne crossed the ball in from the right, which Gavalas initially fumbled, but recovered well to save a close range shot from Mathew Sanders.

Bentleigh went down the other end instantly with James McGarry breaking through down the left and the number seven whipped in a cross to the back post which scraped off the top of Sean McLlroy’s head and out for a goal kick.

The next chance of the match fell to Jason Hayne when he received a good ball by Hamid Basma out right and the New Zealander cut back inside before unleashing a strike but once again Gavalas produced a brilliant save.

The resulting corner saw the ball fall right to Mathew Sanders but he could only direct his header straight at Gavalas.

Andy Vargas should have put Gully ahead four minutes after when he was played in by Hamid Basma but his audacious chip fell the wrong side of the back post.

In the 36th minute Green Gully had huge appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Hakan Anaz.

Jack Webster appeared to have brought down Andy Vargas in the box but the referee and his linesman saw nothing in it and waved play on.

Two minutes before the break Bentleigh had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead.

A free-kick was whipped into the area which Roganovic collected but he dropped the ball after what looked to be a foul on him by McLlroy.

The ball fell to Aron Wilford but he couldn’t capitalize on the situation as he sent his shot over the bar.

The start of the second half saw Green Gully come out firing creating a number of chances at goal. Johnathon Munoz came close to scoring and Mathew Sanders had his effort saved by Gavalas.

Shortly after Green Gully had another penalty appeal waved away when Basma’s shot appeared to strike the arm of a Bentleigh defender inside the box. But once again the referee waved play on.

On the hour mark Graham Hockless was played in with a pass from Munoz with the outside of his foot but Hockless’ chip was deflected over the bar and out for a corner. Nothing came of it however a corner ten minutes later fell right to Basma but he could only direct his header over the bar.

In the 78th minute Gully created yet another opportunity when Munoz headed the ball to the middle of the area where Hayne was standing but his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Once again Green Gully threatened from the corner-kick with Cameron Drake jumping highest but he thumped his header onto the crossbar. Drake hit in a cross with three minutes remaining which instead headed towards goal and crashed against the crossbar for the second time.

Gully pushed hard for a late winner but it wasn’t to be as the Bentleigh defence held strong for a valuable away point.

Green Gully will now host South Melbourne at Green Gully Reserve whilst Bentleigh will travel to White Eagles Stadium to take on Springvale White Eagles.

Full Time: Green Gully 0-0 Bentleigh Greens
Stadium: Green Gully Reserve
Crowd: 200

Yellow Cards: James McGarry 45’, Wayne Wallaca 57’ (Bentleigh). Mile Medjedovic 32’, Graham Hockless 43’, Nikola Roganovic 44’, Andy Vargas 56’, Johnathon Munoz 62’ (Green Gully).

Bentleigh Greens: 1. Peter GAVALAS, 3. Tom MATHEWS, 7. James MCGARRY, 8. Wayne WALLACE, 9. Sean MCLLROY, 10. Hayden DOYLE (24. Declan KEOGH), 12. Adam FADLJEVIC (4. Craig SMART), 14. Aron WILFORD, 16. Rayn DAVIDSON, 17. Jack WEBSTER, 22. Stuart NICHOLSON.
Substitutes not used: 21. Luke GAVALAS, 25. Johnathan BOUNAS.

Green Gully: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Daniel JONES, 4. Cameron DRAKE, 7. Jeffrey FLEMING, 8. Jason WAYNE, 10. Graham HOCKLESS, 12. Mathew SANDERS, 15. Hamid BASMA, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 17. Andy VARGAS, 19. Johnathon MUNOZ.
Substitutes not used: 23. Mason INTERLANDI, 6. Michael ANDERSON, 11. Pasquale VIZZARI, 14. Ryan OLLERTON, 20. Joshua PUGH.