Green Gully set to defend their VPL Title

Green Gully are the first team into the Alanic Victorian Premier League Grand Final to be held on Saturday September 3rd at AAMI Park after beating Hume City 3-0 at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday.

Gully who won the title last year were without coach Lubo Lapsansky who mysteriously parted with the club 24 hours before the game. Veteran coach Ian Dobson took charge for this Major Semi Final against a Hume City side that were buoyed by a magical come from behind win last week over Oakleigh Cannons.

Melbourne turned on a spectacularly sunny winter's Saturday and a largish Green Gully crowd were on hand to see the Cavaliers play after a well-earned week off as a result of being Minor Premiers.

The fans didn't have to wait long with a goal on 10 mins. Livewire midfielder Greame Hockless provided a pin point cross from the right, Joel Nikolic beat two Hume City defenders and 'keeper Lou Acevski to nod home to give the Cavaliers the lead.

The remainder of the first half was largely uneventful with the tempo of the game seemingly slowing with every minute, both teams content trying to score from the odd counter attack.

Just before half time though, last weeks hero Atila Ofli hit a wicked shot from outside the box that was travelling goalwards only to see it saved by Gully 'keeper Nikola Roganovic. 1-0 at half time was an even reflection of the match.

The second half was a different story with Hume City looking to attack more, looking to utilise the skill and experience of player/coach Andy Vlahos whenever possible. Roganovic kept Gully in front with wonderful reflex saves from Sam Dehaini and Richie Cardozo.

There should have been an equaliser with Cardozo air-swinging at a delightful cross from Vlahos. It wasn't a great moment for the VPL Golden Boot winner who had Melbourne Heart boss John Van't Schip in the crowd watching on.

As the match progressed Hume City were time and again denied by Roganovic, causing noticeable frustration for Hume as every minute passed without fruition. Frustration reached a boiling point on 80' when Mile Medjedovic scored from inside the six yard box giving Gully a 2-0 lead with only 10 minutes remaining.

City battled the rest of the game out and were probably the better side in the second half but things did not go their way and Gully wrapped it up and booked a place in the Grand final on 90 minutes when City 'keeper Lupce Acevski came up for the corner and was left stranded as Matthew 'Colonel' Sanders swept the ball up the other end and easily slotted home.

Green Gully now have the week off to prepare for the Grand Final at AAMI Park on Saturday 3rd September whilst Hume City must regroup as they will host the winner of Sundays Minor Semi Final between Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne to see who will be their on Sept 3rd.

Full Time; Green Gully 3 (Nikolic 10', Medjedovic 80', Sanders 90') def Hume City 0

Green Gully: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Daniel JONES, 3. Dean KERR, 4. Cameron DRAKE, 6. Stephen DOWNES, 7. Jeffrey FLEMING, 10. Graham HOCKLESS, 12. Mathew SANDERS, 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 17. Andy VARGAS, 18. Joel NIKOLIC.

Subs: 23. Mason INTERLANDI, 8. Jason HAYNE, 11. Pasquale VIZZARI, 19. Johnathan MUNOZ, 20. Joshua PUGH.

Hume City: 1. Lupce ACEVSKI, 14. Sam DEHAINI, 7. Isyan ERDOGAN, 6. Serdar PIR, 2. Adam NAKIC, 22. Phillip RICCOBENE, 9. Pece SIVESKI. 11. Andy VLAHOS, 4. Mark PISTINIZI, 25. Atila OFLI, 10. Richie CARDOZO.

Subs: 5. Steven PACE, 33. Gurkan ENES, 13. Alex FLOREA, 17. James RICCOBENE, 18. Kenny GEROH.