By JOSIP ZILIC
AFTER a rollercoaster first year back at the top flight of Victorian football, North Geelong Warriors have lost their bid to stay in NPL1 in 2016 after going down to a youthful, match-hardened Melbourne Victory.
A goal in each half by Callum Goulding and Pierce Waring gave the Victory a 2-0 win – but not without controversy.
The Warriors came out with more intent as the first chance of the match fell to Gareth Richards who saw his shot blaze over the top corner.
Victory then started to compile a series of midfield combinations to put the Warriors defence under pressure, including an effort by Victory skipper Joey Katebian that was denied by an oncoming Daniel Zilic in goals.
Victory earned a corner midway through the first half when the ball was knocked to the back post for Goulding to slot home through the hands of Zilic.
With limited opportunity in front goal, the Warriors began to construct their build-up better. A Michael Anderson through-ball for Vito Cichello looked promising but Lucas Spinella turned the well hit-shot around the post.
Anderson was giving opponent Christian Cavallo a hard afternoon, drawing him into rough play that earned a yellow card for the Victory defender. The resulting free kick was driven square into the box, appeared to be a handball for everyone but the referee.
The second half began with more physicality, with the Warriors enjoying the lion’s share of play and forcing the Victory into a counter-attack to protect its lead.
Katebian snuck through on 60 minutes to find Jesse Daley at the far post alone, only to see his chipped shot sail wide.
The Warriors piled on the chances in the next 10 minutes, with Nikola Jurkovic forcing a save from his header and then Michael Anderson blasting well over from straight in front to try bringing North Geelong level.
The Warriors rued those chances as substitute Pierce Waring sealed North Geelong’s fate on 80 minutes, collecting a long-ball to pass from Michael Grgic and Matt Townley to drive past Zilic for the second and the promotion to NPL.
The Warriors can hold their heads high, though, earning a lot of respect from the football community for the way they went about the season.
It was unfortunate they had to be the guinea pigs of the system, which forced the Warriors to wait five weeks without competitive football before meeting their fate.
Coach Micky Colina was proud of the team’s effort for the match and congratulated Victory on its achievement.
