SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 0

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT 1
                                ( MULLEN 83' )
LINE UP: JOHN, AZZOPARDI, NAPOLI, TSOUMERKAS, GILMOUR, TALEVSKI, MAGNACCA, TRPCEVSKI (ESPOSITO 53') , DELIC, KALMAR, OPAZO (MARKOVSKI 75'). SUBS NOT USED: FIORENZA, DIMOVSKI, CINI.

Statistics can sometimes tell a story, as the Georgies now deeply entrenched in a battle to avoid relegation registered no less than eight clear strikes on target found posts, cross bars and bodies but no net. Yet the only statistic that matters is the scoresheet where from only two strikes on target the AIS and in particular Matthew Mullen capitalised in the 83rd minute on a defensive error from the Georgies who failed to clear a long ball causing confusion between two last line defenders and keeper Martin John. The mix up allowing Mullen to virtually walk into an open goal to easily slot home the winner

The home team started the match with great purpose taking the initiative going forward while the AIS was prepared to sit back patiently and use their youthful advantage of speed with great effect on the break.

Georgies midfielder Nick Kalmar was busy early as from distance he struck the cross bar in the 9th minute. In the 18th minute Anthony Magnacca's rebound strike from six yards was somehow deflected over for a corner by an AIS defenders boot. Minutes later Kalmar once again struck a ball which was a carbon copy of his earlier attempt, but the ball sailed agonisingly wide.Moments before the break another long range strike by Magnacca caught AIS keeper Jerrad Tyson completely by surprise as the ball slipped through his gloves and luckily for the AIS, away for a corner and not into the net

It seemed a Georgies goal was not too far away, but the AIS, known more for its skill, fitness and speed asserted their physical authority on the match as four bookings, two in each half seemed to have the home side surprised and somewhat intimidated with a few Georgies players collecting telling knocks into the half time break.

Alex Sunasky led the charge for the AIS in the physical stakes in defence and was closely supported by Luke De Vere.

The second half began similarly to the first as the Georgies dominated as far as attempts on goal were concerned, with glaring chances that went begging for substitute Michael Esposito in the 56th minute, and a back post header from Brett Gilmour in the 70th minute, which from the rebound off the upright to Goran Talevski whose goal bound strike from 8 yards somehow found an AIS defender's body on the goal line.

The AIS did issue a timely warning signal to the Georgies in the 63rd minute when from a corner, striker Isaka Cernak forced Martin John into a spectacular close range.

The midfield battle for ascendancy, especially in tight areas, was very intriguing as the young tireless legs of the AIS knocked the ball around quickly and created spaces while the older heads of the Georgies were equal to the task in matching their younger opponents.

The decisive play came in the 83rd minute as the Georgies, piling forward in search of the elusive goal, were caught by a deep long ball, and chaos reigned in the Georgie defence as Mullen benefited from the error to slot the ball home.

The remaining 10 minutes or so, saw the Georgies conitinue to surge forward in great numbers to find the equaliser, but some stern defending from the AIS did not allow the Georgies to score as the football was cleared time and time again, while the fitness and youth of the AIS came to the fore in the closing minutes as every ball was chased down and cleared.

CAUTIONS: DELIC 86'