ESSENDON ROYALS 1 (LAGANO 47')
SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 1 (TRPCEVSKI 22')

Line up: JOHN, ZILIC, AZZOPARDI, OPAZO, SOARES, GREECHAN, TRPCEVSKI (ALGHAZALY 68), KALMAR (HUSANOVIC 78), NAPOLI (GAUCI-SEDDON 66), MAGNACCA, SALLEY. SUBS NOT USED: FIORENZA, SIMSEK

The match started extremely well for the Cross as the quick posession, passing and breakaway game instilled by coach Joe Montemurro was causing headaches early for the home team as players like Napoli and Soares were finding space out wide, benefiting team mates such as Vasko Trpcevski playing in afront role next to Chris Greechan. Trpcevski opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, running on to a long defensive clearance, with a polished first touch then driving home to beat the keeper at the near post from 18 yards to the delight of the travelling Georgies fans.

However, a bright first 20 minute stanza was overcome by the Royals as they ground their way back into the game, particularly looking threatening off set pieces, and long throws into the Cross penalty area. One such free kick from Schwal forced Martin John into a fine save that preserved the 1-0 lead. Uncertainty in the Cross defence and the Royals dominance in the air began to give the home team ascendancy.

Despite taking a priceless 1-0 lead into the half time break it was only two minutes into the second half, when once again originating from a threatening Royals long throw into the box, the Cross conceded an untimely goal. The defence failed to clear its lines allowing Lagano of Essendon to finish across his body past a crowded penalty area and an outstretched Martin John.
The Georgies nearly restored the lead shortly after as Magnacca's curling dead ball strike clipped the outside of the Essendon post. From this point the match lost any beauty that it may have had and deteriorated into a scrappy affair, which possibly suited the less technically gifted Essendon team which began to use the long ball more often. Although the man from the Ivory Coast in Jonas Salley was able to control matters at the back, constantly clearing the ball and at times creating new forward thrusts through the midfield. New signings Stanko Zilic at right back and Nick Kalmar in a central midfield role were also very influential for the Cross.

Injury then cost Ralph Napoli his spot at left back as he was replaced by Adam Gauci Seddon . Kalmar then succumbed to cramp after looking comfortable pulling the strings in midfield. In an attempt by Montemurro to break the deadlock and create something Alghazaly was thrown on, in place of goalscorer Trpcevski to initiate some drive and speed down the right hand flank.

Essendon however, stood their ground in defence. They lost their skipper Schwal in the 80th minute after he was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Soares.
If anything the dismissal sparked the Royals more than the Georgies when Nazir Izmail's desperate cross across the 6 yard box was miraculously and thankfully for the Georgies fans not met by a Royals boot.

A point away from home against a team which many tip to struggle this season was probably an acceptable result on the opening day with a George Cross team that at times seemed underdone and flat

YELLOW CARDS: ZILIC 8', AZZOPARDI 28', SOARES 80'