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Written by Editor
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Monday, 19 July 2010 10:07 |
A very impressive first half for Hume City has sealed their victory over Oakleigh Cannons in last night's match at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Three first half goals ensured Hume would take away three valuable points, and continue to challenge for top spot on the VPL table.
Hume City got the game off to a quick start and was looking dangerous right from the outset, setting up an early opportunity which they were unable to capitalise on. This early attack was an ominous warning of things to come. Hume was playing good team football, sharing the ball nicely around the pitch making sure their players got an early touch to settle any nerves they may have. This led to a couple of important headers in Hume’s attacking half, including one from Zoran Petrevski, who was looking lively up-front for the away side.
Oakleigh started to get into the game at around the 15 minute mark, and made a strong surge forward, however the shot on goal sailed harmlessly over the keepers head. This attack got some confidence into the Oakleigh players, who were now starting to have an impact on the game.
Oakleigh were using their home ground well, spreading the ball out wide onto the wings, however, the Hume defence was up to the challenge and continued to put an end to Oakleigh’s attacking runs.
On the 20 minute mark Hume’s Phillip Riccobene makes a good surge forward down the left hand side of the pitch, and put the cross into the box, but Oakleigh’s back four made easy work of it and got the ball out of the hot spot. Riccobene was playing well and looking dangerous out on the left.
Riccobene and Hume got their just rewards on 23 minutes with the first goal of the game. Hume came down the right flank and after a couple of nice passes, the cross came into the box and sailed over two Oakleigh defenders’ heads, falling to Riccobene, who struck it well into the top right hand corner of the net.
Shortly after, on 30 minutes, Hume got their second goal, stamping their authority on the game. Again, the ball was played down the right hand side of the pitch coming out of defence, and Hume’s coach, Andy Vlahos put on a super effort to get onto the end of a pass and beat the oncoming Oakleigh defender. Vlahos dribbled for 10 meters down the right, spotted up team-mate Richard Cardozo free in the middle of the park, who was able to find a bit of free space and then beat the keeper with a strong strike from around 15 meters out. A very nice goal by Cardozo and a great team effort by Hume to get it out of defence and into the back of the net to give them a comfortable two goal lead.
First half injuries to Hume’s Steven Pace and Oakleigh’s Aristidis Drakos forced them off the pitch, and both managers to reassemble their sides. This had little affect on Hume, who on 43 minutes scored their third goal to pretty much seal the game.
It was a cracking goal by Dusko Delic, a brilliant individual effort. Delic received the ball, dribbled for a few meters, weaved past one defender, dribbled a bit further, and then struck the ball beautifully into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The ref then blew the whistle for half time, with the score-line reading Oakleigh nil, Hume three.
Oakleigh midfielders Bill Damianos and Cameron Watson were playing well and giving their all, but at this stage Hume were just too strong.
It was going to take a Liverpool-like 2005 Champions League Final in Istanbul comeback for Oakleigh to win the game. However, as the second half played out, it was clear that Istanbul is a long way from Oakleigh, and that a miracle come-from-behind victory was not likely.
Delic started the second half in much the same fashion as he ended the first – with a nice run forward, playing it wide to Cardozo, who was unlucky not to stretch Hume’s lead to four, as he hit the cross-bar.
This bad luck was shortly transferred to Oakleigh, who were incredibly unlucky not to score as the ball came into the box, ricochets off a couple of players, with Oakleigh then pouncing on it to put together two nice passes but the shot on goal hit the upright and Oakleigh remained goalless.
After this passage of play the game started to lose the intensity it had in the first half. The next 20 minutes was end-to-end football, however neither side looks like scoring.
Oakleigh picked up the intensity, and when Ricky Diaco was brought down by a heavy challenge, the ref awarded Oakleigh a free kick in a dangerous position around 20 meters out. Diaco took the free kick but was unable to control the ball, and it sailed over the keeper’s head.
Oakleigh continued to press, and Michael Curcija put a great cross into the box, however striker Jerry Karpeh was unable to get his head on it.
Shortly after, Oakleigh’s Cameron Watson and Hume’s Dusko Delic collided heavily in the middle of the park, with both players having eyes only for the ball. There was nothing malicious in it, both picked themselves up slowly and the game went on.
Karpeh was doing his best to conjure up opportunities for Oakleigh, but it just didn’t look like their night.
As the second half came to a close, the sting had well and truly gone out of the game, and it looked like being a 3-0 victory to Hume. However, late in extra time the Oakleigh were awarded a free kick from 30 meters out. Watson put it into the area, the Hume keeper was unable to deal with it, and Stelios Drakos gave his side a consolation goal.
Next week Oakleigh has another tough match when they travel to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to take on Richmond. Hume has a busy week coming up with a mid-week clash against N.T.C before travelling to John Cain Memorial Park to take on South Melbourne.
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Written by Editor
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Monday, 12 July 2010 13:55 |
It was first versus third on Sunday as Richmond travelled to Broadmeadows Valley Park to take on Hume City.
The conditions were a lot better than expected, following the previous day’s blustery conditions. Both sides approached this game with the belief that a victory would certainly seal a top five position heading into the final few rounds of competition.
The close encounter saw a congested midfield battle it out most of the day. The only breach came mid-way through the first half as Richard Cardozo, who scored his seventh goal of the season, helped Hume City take the three points.
There were no clear-cut chances in the opening 25 minutes. As both teams settled in, the defences were equal in discipline and structure. The first chance of the game fell to Cardozo who followed up a scrum just outside the box to finish convincingly with his first time shot heading in to the top right corner. The scores were 1-0 to the home team after 26 minutes.
The first half continued in similar fashion prior to the goal. Both teams failed to create any clear chances, and with the half coming to an end, Richmond midfielder Michael Ferrante followed up a clearance from a corner on the edge of the box to see his half-volley blocked by a solid Serdar Pir.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, as the discipline of both sides did not allow for any attacks on goal. The first lapse of concentration came from Hume City’s left back, Phillip Riccobene, as he could not keep hold of Steven Topalovic, who had worked his way through to a one-on-one, but was unable to capitalise, sending his shot wide over the far post.
Minutes later, Richmond’s Dimitri Tsiaris was through for another one-on-one. Yet again, the attackers of the away team were not able to find the back of the net as Marijo Roza saved well. Isiyan Erdogan immediately constructed a counter attack for Hume City. Petrevski played through Vlahos who could not beat Stjepan Gal. The clearance saw goal scorer Cardozo yellow carded.
75 minutes were played in the second half as Dusko Delic attempted to play through Vlahos once again, but he was unable to get a touch on the ball before Richmond keeper Gal came out to get hold of the ball.
Richmond were beginning to get on top of Hume City by keeping possession and showing patience and creativity when in possession.
Michael Catalano looked through before he came down inside the box. The referee yellow carded the Richmond midfielder for simulation.
Changes for both sides saw Richmond’s Mitch Bissinger and injured Erhan Karahan come off for Lujic and Piorkowski. Hume City substituted Baser and Delic, and replaced them with Thompson and Opazo after 37 minutes.
Richmond’s pressure continued but they were unable to find any gaps between the Hume City defence. A fast counter attack by Hume City saw Petrevski played through, but he was unable to capitalise for the home side, sending his shot past the far post.
Richmond attempted to score the equaliser by bringing on Davey van ‘t Schip for Catalano, as Hume City also showed signs of attack by bringing on Sumbul for goal scorer, Cardozo.
Hume City stuck out the game on the back foot. A last minute opportunity fell for Ferrante at the edge of the box. His hard shot was yet again blocked by veteran Serdar Pir, who was proving to be a hero for the home team. Once cleared, the referee called it a day by blowing the final whistle. Hume City were victorious, 1 -0.
The victory for Hume has made it a very tight top three, with only two points separating three teams.
The Under 21’s saw Richmond winning credibly, 3-1.
Hume Citywill travel to Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night to fight off another top of the table clash against the Oakleigh Cannons.
Meanwhile, Richmond will be looking to make amends against a struggling Sunshine George Cross next Monday night at Knights Stadium . |
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Last Updated on Monday, 12 July 2010 14:54 |
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