By Josip Zilic
THE SCENE is set for a classic this weekend when North Geelong Warriors take on Richmond SC in National Premier League.
A win will give the Warriors a stronghold on second place and extend their ladder lead on third-placed St Albans by six points.
But with dangerous forwards like Tom Cahill and Hamlet Armenian, Richmond will seek a return to form after earning just one point from its past three matches. Richmond’s recent match against Moreland was another game in which it dominated the play but was unable to make the opposition pay.
North Geelong notched up a regulation 2-0 win over a youthful Whittlesea last week in a match limited for highlight-reel moments.
The home side needed to maintain it focus and composure of recent weeks to continue the run of wins to eight in a row.
Ranges’ Kliment Dimitrieski tried to spark things early with a bicycle kick that went well over the goal but that was the sum of his side’s potency, with few other chances rattling the hosts.
North settled after Vito Cichello opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a shot from 30-odd metres out. The ball spiralled high and caught the keeper back-pedalling before lodging into the top right corner.
The Warriors sustained their pressure but without further addition to the score before half time.
On 54 minutes Robbie Zadworny received a through ball by Cichello, allowing him to zip past his opponent and chip over oncoming Rasohlzaden Syesan to extend the lead.
North Geelong should have had several more, with Reardo Luka, Mark Paleka and Nicholas Jurcic misdirecting attempts on goal.
The match fizzled out in the end as consecutive injuries to Whittlesea’s keepers left Dimitrieski as its only threat, seeing the match out in the sticks.
North Geelong coach Mick Colina was happy with the win.
“We were controlled and the only disappointment was not putting away more chances. We now need to turn our attention to Richmond.”
Whittlesea coach Vinko Buljubasic, who formerly coached North Geelong, was happy to be back at Elcho Park.
“I coached some of these guys and they’re a top side. It’s great to see,” he said.
“I can’t fault my players. They’re a young team and they’re constantly developing.”
