SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 3 ( DRAYCOTT 35', 76', RICHARDS 80)

FAWKER-WHITTLESEA 1 ( OGNENOVSKI 93')

The Sunshine George Cross revival continued in this vital round 13 fixture with another outstanding of display of disciplined football as the Georgies easily accounted for Fawkner / Whittlesea 3-1. The final score flattered the visitors, as on the day Sunshine Georgie players were their own worst enemies, by getting in each others way to deny them more goals. Once Sunshine took control of the game after 10 minutes there was only going to be one winner.
The major battle of this game was between Brett Gilmour and A League bound Sasa Ognenovski. It was very physical all day long between the two with the much smaller and lighter Gilmour rising up to the challenge to win the man of the match award. This was Brett Gilmour's best game to date and one that swung the result in the Georgies favour.
The Georgie faithful had to wait until the 35 minute mark for the first goal as Vasko Trpcevski and Mark Draycott fought each other for the right to score the opening goal. On this occasion it was Draycott who re-acted quickest to push the ball over the line with his thigh after a goal-line scramble. The Georgies took the game right up to Fawkner and should have added a second just before the break when Draycott headed over the bar form close range following another deadly Trpcevski corner.
Fidell Richards, Arthur Tsirtsakis and Gilmour were running the show in midfield whilst the Cross defence stood firm to answer any challenge asked by Fawkner. Colin Azzopardi was his reliable self and debutant Daniel Rocco played as if he has been part of this defence all season long. Manny Muscat did what he does best going at his opponent at full speed on numerous occassions. In the most spectacular run of the day, Muscat cut a swathe through the Fawkner defence, but his good work was undone by Mark Draycott becoming involved after coming for the ball from an off-side position with Muscat ready to strike the ball goalwards.
The visitors had a lucky let off after 63 minutes when after another Vasco Trpcevski corner and an ensuing goal mouth scramble Issy Erdogan's shot the ball appeared to go over the line unfortunatrely for the Georgie supporters both the referee and linesman waved play on for the Blues to clear the danger.
Fawkner coach John Markovski then brought himself on after 65 minutes hoping for a repeat of what happened last season when these two sides met. On that occasion Markovski came on for ten minutes and scored twice but there was to be none of that this time, as Fawkner were soon two goals down.
Superb interpassing in the midfield in the 76th minute found Trent Waterson unmarked at the far post. Waterson had time to pick his spot but saw his shot hit the post with the ball falling nicely into path of Mark Draycott who made no mistake. At the 80th minute mark Fidel Richards continued were he left off last week by scoring goal the third goal much to delight of the hardy Georgie fans who braved the cold and wet conditions.
The visitors scored a late consolation goal in time added on after Sasa Ognenovski's header was judged to have crossed the line by the referee's assistant. This was a confidence boosting win for the Georgies who continued their climb up the ladder and away from the relegation zone.

YELLOW CARD:  Rocco 52', Gilmour 59', Muscat 65'