By Josip Zilic
North Geelong Warriors let a two-goal lead slip from its grasp to record a 4-3 loss against Sunshine George Cross in last Saturday’s National Premier League soccer action.
The game began with the second shortest player on the park, Anthony Cassar, heading home unguarded to put Georgies up at the three-minute mark.
Minutes later the shortest player, Robert Zadworny, equalised in similar fashion for the Warriors.
Georgies peppered the goals for the next five minutes, coming around North Geelong’s flanks to provide opportunities for their marksmen.
The Warriors turned defence into attack when Zadworny cleverly laid a ball in the path of Reardo Luka to cleanly slot home his side’s second goal.
Straight after halftime Mark Paleka pounced on a defensive mistake to send the Warriors 3-1 up.
With 30 mins to go Nejdett Sahin deflected a Georgies free kick from 25m, which left Frano Saric flat-footed to tamely cross the line.
Twenty minutes later Sunshine threw everything forward in long balls, applying pressure down the Warriors’ left flank until Lewis Shannon headed home for the equaliser.
The Warriors were forced into two quick subs with minutes left when Zadworny and Paleka left the field carrying soft-tissue injuries. Replacements Nathan Cook and Nicholas Jurcic were unable to help turn the tide.
Georgies won with another long ball that allowed Delfin Mosibe to head in his side’s fourth goal.
The Warriors harassed Georgies in a desperate four minutes of extra time but was unable to claw out a last-minute reprieve.
The Warriors host high-flying Avondale Heights at Elcho Park this Saturday.
Avondale has surprised with its free scoring, which will trouble North Geelong’s leaky defence.
