By JOSIP ZILIC
NORTH Geelong Warriors needs a change of fortune when it plays Northcote at John Cain Reserve this Saturday in National Premier League.
Both sides’ leaky defences have conceded 21 goals so far this season.
North Geelong has the better attacking form but Northcote has recorded some good wins and a resilient draw last week against a resurgent Oakleigh.
The Warriors responded to their dismal performance against Port Melbourne the week before with a positive start to proceedings against Avondale last weekend.
Juso Julardzija was in the thick of it early with two chances to test Fraser Siddal but taking the extra touch and failing to unleash early allowed defenders to shut him down.
Nikola Jurkovic and Vito Cichello were first to the ball, which won a lot of the midfield battles, but were forced into long passing as Avondale’s defence minimised their space and time.
The Warriors’ best chance came after a Julardzija free kick hit the wall, deflecting to waiting North Geelong players. However, Siddal’s flapping arms kept their brace of shots at bay.
On 35 minutes a rare Avondale foray resulted in Chris Irwin being fouled in the penalty area, which Jonathon Munoz converted, sending Daniel Zilic the wrong way.
North Geelong responded moments later when Jurkovic was upended by Michele Crazia in the penalty area and Reardo Luka took on the duties to equalise for the Warriors.
Mark Paleka came close on 50 minutres, driving a shot just inside the box that was deflected off-target.
Avondale’s impenetrable defence forced the hosts into long-range passing to bring the pace of their wider players into action.
With 15 minutes to go, North defender Darren Lewis made an apparently unnecessary foul on substitute Aleksiy Khrapko for another penalty area.
Munoz took up his duties again to give Avondale the lead.
In the final moments North skipper Matt Townley’s free kick from 25 metres deceived the Avondale defence to find its way into the net for what everyone thought was a goal. However, the referee adjudged that Siddall was fouled in the box and rewarded a free kick instead.
Warriors coach Micky Colina said Siddall’s play-acting “sucked in” officials.
“As soon as Townley hit that ball the keeper was gone. His timing was right off – he got pushed by his own players and was smart enough to stay down to milk it.”
