By Josip Zilic
North Geelong Warriors will seek to atone for a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss to Box Hill United in their return bout this week.
A controversial penalty to the Hillmen put paid to the Warriors’ hopes earlier this year.
Coach Mick Colina said he was happy overall with the team’s progression.
He identified the elimination of individual errors in dangerous areas of the pitch as a focus.
“It will come with experience and maturity. However, it’s great to keep scoring the way we have been,” he said.
Last week the Warriors and Dandenong City entertained a large crowd with a goal fest scoring three apiece in the thrilling draw.
With in-form midfielders Reardo Luka and Michael Anderson out injured, the Warriors’ starting line-up had Darren Lewis in a holding role that pushed Vito Cichello onto the advanced job alongside new signing Stipe Trbuhovic.
Another new signing, Juso Julardzija, was lively early, joining his midfield in unsettling the Dandenong defence with consecutive corners in the opening minutes.
In the 10th minute Julardzija had an opportunity to open the scoring when he pounced onto a ball helped on by Mark Paleka in the penalty area.
He made no mistake, slotting it past Mark Stevanja.
In the 40th minute Zadworny dispatched a cross for Paleka to tap in, levelling the proceedings.
In the second half, the Warriors advanced toward goal with Julardzija putting a solid finish in again for a memorable debut.
