FAWKNER BLUES 0
SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 1
( MAGNACCA 50' )

LINE UP: John, Tsoumerkas,Azzopardi,Napoli,Cini,Simsek,Husanovic (Falzon 73'),Kalmar, Salley,Magnacca (trpcevski 81'),Opazo(Greechan 61') Subs not used: Maher Addo

Summer signing Anthony Magnacca celebrated his 29th birthday in style scoring a 50th minute winner, minutes after striking the woodwork as the Cross stamped its authority on the game early in the second half.

In warm temperatures and with a pitch in ordinary condition any result was going to be a welcome one, but with only 3 points from the first 4 rounds and sitting in 14th position on the table leading into this fixture, the Cross desperately needed a win to kick start the season in earnest and ease the pressure on everyone concerned.

The Cross finally welcomed back Jonas Salley from injury into the starting 11, further changes were made after the 2 week break, as Fikret Husanovic made his first start for the season in midfield, Matt Cini slotted in at right back, while Vasko Trpcevski was benched coming back from injury and an under prepared Stanko Zilic was rested. Nick Kalmar reclaimed his midfield anchoring responsibilities.

The first half was a scoreless and with neither team threatening the goals with any decent strikes on target. The Georgies dominated midfield possession through Kalmar,Salley and Magnacca with Husanovic getting a lot of the ball out wide. All the possesion ultimately came to nothing as the Fawkner keeper was rarely tested. The home side only had one shot of note in the first half as Mark Tsiorlas capitalised on an error by Tsoumerkas to flash a shot across Martin John's goal.

The second half started in a blaze for the Georgies as Magnacca struck the cross bar with a thunderous shot in the 47th minute and Simsek, with the open net beckoning from the rebound, sprayed the ball wide. Frustration may have dented the confidence of the Cross players but Magnacca ensured this would not happen as shortly after he side footed a ball into the corner of the net to give the Cross a 1-0 lead in the 50th.

The remainder of the match was a matter of keeping a clean sheet as a desperate yet still impotent Fawkner combined with some desperate defending on occasions saw no goals conceded by the Georgies. Also the customary slice of luck, which seemed to have deserted Sunshine in recent weeks favoured the visitors as posession was kept and the 50/50 balls were won.

Despite giving away 20 fouls in the match, the Cross held its nerve, Joe Montemurro used the fresh bench effectively in the warm conditions bringing on Greechan, Trpcevski and Falzon in a 20 minute span to ensure the gaps in the equaliser seeking Fawkner team were exploited.

The clock was smartly run down as the referees final whistle signalled the first of hopefully many Cross wins for the season. The signs are promising, undefeated in 3 away games with 5 points is a sound start, but with home form of concern and an Altona Magic team rich in class the Georgies will be keen to set the home record straight this coming Sunday at Chaplin Reserve.