Goal Scorer: Eddie Soares

Line Up: Sunshine George Cross line up: A. Loncaric, B. Devlin, R. Wallis (T. Saric 75), M. Kelly, B. Cogger, R. Sexton, C. Anthopoulos, E. Soares, B. Beni, F. McArdle (D. Warren 50), R. Davani, G. Slefendorfas (H. Wookbum 50). Subs; A. Bourakis, M. Roza, . Scorer: Eddie Soares 74.

Sunshine George Cross paid a very heavy price for a woeful start to the match when losing 2-1 to a youthful North Geelong side. Before most spectators had time to settle down and watch the match, North Geelong had already twice pierced the Georgie's defence to race to a 2-0 lead within 4 minutes of the kick off. It appeared as if the mind set of the Sunshine defence was still in the changing room as North Geelong charged forward and scored inside 1 minute. The lesson was not learnt as the speedy home team caught the Georgies out again within a minute of the first goal to score a second. Most Georgie fans were already thinking about heading for the exits and driving back home up the Princess Highway after seeing their team go two goals behind for the second successive week. The decision making at the back was very poor, as both goals conceded should have been cleared before any damage was done. The speed of North Geelong continued to worry the Georgies throughout the first half, with the home team holding the upper hand. Coach Con Anthopoulos could not restrain himself at the half time break and told the players in a nice way the first half performance was not acceptable. To their credit the team responded and came out after the break on the offensive and looking capable of getting back into the game. Daryl Warren came on at half time and showed good form. His introduction made a difference to the structure of the team. The Georgies created a few good openings that were encouraging, before Eddie Soares scored after 74 minutes following a series of passes that led to the goal. The Georgies pushed forward in search of an equalising goal, but at the same time this presented North Geelong with openings with their counter attacking game. On two occasions the home team broke away, but couldn't add to their score. With time running out the Georgies blew a golden opportunity to draw level in injury time. Substitute Tony Saric did all the hard work inside the penalty area when he beat two defenders, but his shot rolled across the face of the open goal to miss narrowly. The response to the early set back was good, but the task of pulling back a two goal deficit on this occasion was too much to ask for. Giving teams a two goal start is far to generous. It will hurt more times than not, as was the case in this game.

UNDER 21: NORTH GEELONG 4 SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 1

Goal scorer: Tyler Scheafering

This was a much closer game than the 4-1 score line suggests, with the same old story repeating itself yet again in this match. Marginal decisions going in favour of the opposition has hindered the under 21 team's season so many times, it is getting boring and frustrating. After controlling the best part of this match, the Georgies trailed to a very soft goal. The referee twice ignored the North Geelong assitant's flag for obvious offside calls to award goals to the home team. These kind of errors have riddled the team all season long. Is it any wonder coach Michael Pichner is feeling so low after knowing his side can match it with the best, only to be undone by decisions beyond his coaching manual.