By JOSIP ZILIC
BOX HILL United picked up a tough 1-0 victory over North Geelong Warriors in National Premier League football at Elcho Park on Saturday.
A second-half goal from the penalty spot by Rinor Muriqi was enough to get Box Hill over the line
The first half produced no goals as both teams toiled for chances but as the half wore on, North Geelong dominated possession.
The first real chance of the game came to Warriors midfielder Reardo Luka who found space in front of the penalty box and blasted a goal-bound shot that forced Alexander Pavlidis into a terrific diving save.
The Warriors were in control but Box Hill defended well as it cleared and blocked its way out of trouble, seeing the first half out with both teams locked at nil-all.
In the second half Box Hill come out with greater attack in mind, bringing Kenny Athiu into the match and immediately causing the home side trouble.
Box Hill was rewarded with a dubious penalty on the 56th minute after Athiu climbed all over the defence but the referee saw it differently and
called a called a push from behind.
Muriqi stepped up and sent goalkeeper Frano Saric the wrong way to give the away side a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors then surged forward in waves looking for an equaliser.
In the 65th minute the ball fell to the feet of Paleka whose powerful shot on goal bounced off a sea of legs and cleared by a scampering Box Hill defence.
With 10 minutes to go the referee showed a red card to North Geelong’s Luka for throwing the ball at an unsuspecting player.
With 10 men for the remaining 10 minutes, North Geelong kept pressing and had the ball in the net but the referee adjudged it offside, much to the locals’ dismay.
With a minute to go Box Hill’s Christian Lak Impeded on Paleka in the penalty area only for the referee to wave play on and seconds later, ending the intense encounter with Box Hill holding on for a tough win.
North Geelong coach Ante Skoko still pleased.
“We were playing one of the best teams in the league,” he noted.
“I thought we were more effective and spent more time in their half. That’s very pleasing to me.
“I have a lot of respect for what they’re doing at Box Hill.”
The Warriors head to Springvale next week to play the winless White Eagles.
