By JOSIP ZILIC
NORTH Geelong will become road Warriors this week to take on Avondale FC.
With seven rounds left of the season the Warriors will need to find a way to win if they stand a chance of resurrecting their 2015 campaign.
Avondale is coming off a 1-3 home loss to Northcote. Avondale’s defence doesn’t leak goals often and it would be a surprise to many that they were opened up, especially at home.
In their short rivalry, North Geelong and Avondale have had some memorable matches, from the 2013 State League 1 relegation playoff, the Warriors stirring 3-0 victory at Avondale in 2014 and the penalty fest earlier this year at Elcho Park resulting in a 2-1 win for Avondale.
North Geelong comes off a disappointing 2-0 loss last Friday at the hands of Pascoe Vale.
Although starting positively and in attacking mode, the Warriors endeavour was all undone in 12 minutes through two moments of poor decision making.
In the 28th minute North Geelong’s centre backs were caught out of position, forcing Nicholas Jurcic to sprint back hard to defend an anticipated cross. Unfortunately he ended up bundling the ball under Daniel Zilic who was coming out to cut off the cross.
The match fast became an unsavoury affair with North Geelong increasingly frustrated by what it considered to be a series of dubious calls around the park.
Players were upset by a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a clear attempt at a head-butt in front of the referee by Joseph Youseff on Warrior Nikola Jurkovic.
On 40 minutes it was that man Youseff who took the score to 2-0.
North Geelong’s defence was out of position and pushed up high as a delightful through ball to Youssef split five North Geelong players to allow him to advance towards goal unchallenged and slot past Zilic.
The second half saw the Warriors holding the majority of control but unable to build any real threat. The North Geelong attack consisted mainly of hopeful long balls leaving too much for the forwards to do and opening itself up to counter attack.
With the Pascoe Vale defence holding resolute and seemingly content with its 2-0 lead, the match petered out to the final whistle.
