By Josip Zilic
North Geelong’s new coach has begun his reign with a 3-0 win over St Alban’s Saints in National Premier League.
Micky Colina’s men notched up their fifth win of the season on Sunday thanks to a looping kick from range by Robert Zadworny and a brace for skipper Michael Anderson, returning to the starting line up after a prolonged knee injury.
The opening 25 minutes were fast and frantic as both sides piled on the pressure.
St Alban’s had the better chances, with Juso Julardzija and Ryan McGufiie involved in consecutive efforts on target but had their efforts thwarted by Daniel Zilic in a terrific performance.
North Geelong was more eager to win the ball and play with controlled movement as opposed to the speed of the match’s opening stages.
On 35 minutes Nathan Long cut the ball to an unmarked Anderson who drove his shot into Saints keeper Stjepan Gal who bundled it over the line.
The structure was unchanged for the Warriors but the new placement of particular players seemed to agree with the team overall to make the turnovers of weeks gone by a distant memory.
The Warriors were stronger in desire for the ball but not without moments of concern as Michael Grgic overran a high ball that skimmed off his head to find Julardzija whose shot was perfectly palmed around the post by Zilic.
The Warriors went two up just before half time when Zadworny was found on his own on the edge of the box to place his shot in the top right corner of goal.
St Alban’s came out with intent in the second half and soon worked a chance for Julardzija whose lobbed deflection looked goal bound only for Zilic to push it away.
St Alban’s pressed high, leaving its players open for the counter. North Geelong responded by notching up its third as Long crossed across the pitch for Anderson to slide in and smash the ball into the net.
Colina was subdued after his victory on debut.
“A win’s always great but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he said.
“We made a few minor changes to the defensive structure and I’m rapt for the lads.”
This Saturday North Geelong hosts Richmond, which has mirrored the Warriors’ experience so far this year.
Richmond is enjoying a patch of form after turning around a mistake-riddled start of the year and a change in coach, now finding itself with three wins on the trot.
The challenge for the Warriors is to build consistency after last weekend’s solid performance.
