ESSENDON ROYALS 1 ( PIR 83')

SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 0

LINE UP: John (GK), Erdogan (Gauci-Seddon 56’), Azzopardi, Muscat (c), Kovacevic, Delic, Waterson, Gilmour ( Filpovic 60'), Platt , Cvetanoski (Gasparis 85'), Neceski

This round 3 clash at the Veneto Club in Bulleen produced plenty of action and excitement for the small crowd, with the match being settled in favour of the Royals, with a goal scored by Sirder Pir in the 83 minute.
The Georgies can count themselves a little unfortunate in not getting something out of this game after missing countless goal scoring opportunities. It was the visitors who took control of the match in the opening 25 minutes with Tony Neceski twice being denied by diving saves from Essendon's new keeper Mark Sutalo. Sunshine goalkeeper Martin John was called into action by a well taken free kick by Mark Schwal.
The advantage swung the Royal's way after 29 minutes,when Sunshine's new striker Craig Platt was sent off following a second bookable offence. The Georgies comfortably held out till
the break, and on resumption should have been one up following a well worked free kick.
It was Tony Neceski who played the ball into the path of Brett Gilmour, but he failed to connect from a good scoring position. The 10 men Georgies continued to be adventurous with Gilmour bringing another fine save from Sutalo.
The contest became a 10 men a side game following an all in push and shove melee, with Essendon captain Mark Scwal being red carded. Essendon came more into the game and began to look dangerous with Martin John's goal twice having close escapes. Trent Waterson battled hard to win the ball in midfield and worked his way into the penalty area having beaten two Essendon defenders. With only the keeper to beat, Waterson suffered the ultimate embarrasment of missing the ball completely from 12 yards out. Tony Neceski also failed to hit the target when he narrowly blasted the ball over the cross bar from close range.
It was all out attacking football with the small crowd being well entertained. Trent Waterson completed a personal miserable night in the 79 minute, when he once again failed to convert an open goal scoring opportunity.
Within 3 minutes it was the Royals who were celebrating, following a classic counter attack through the middle by Sirder Pir. His combination with Michael Catalano and James Virker left Pir with an opportunity he converted as he slid the ball home with Martin John close to the edge of the penalty area.
Within 3 minutes the Cross should have been on level terms but Dusko Delic blasted high over the bar from only 8 yards with only the keeper to beat. Substitute Marinos Gasparis was quick into the action and almost drew the sides level, but his close range effort was
scrambled away by the Royal's defence.
It was a case of who would take their chance and on this occasion it was the Royals who triumphed. Despite the disappointment of losing the travelling Georgie fans gave their team a great ovation as they left the arena.

YELLOW CARDS: Platt (20'), Delic (29'), Kovacevic (61'), Gauci-Seddon (63')

RED CARD: Platt (30')