Photo: South Melbourne FC

South Melbourne held on to secure a point against the impressive Pascoe Vale at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday evening. 

Windy and cold conditions made the first half a poor footballing spectacle, with Mathew Theodore having the only real chance of the half, but his strike sailed well over the goal that Alexander Pavlidis was guarding.

The second half belonged to Pascoe Vale however. 

A team once considered an underdog and a grinder played like anything but as the side huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way past Nikola Roganovic. 

The hosts had numerous opportunities to take all three points in the second period, the first of which came after Adam Nakic sent a ball hammering towards the back post, but Luca Santilli couldn’t direct his strike goalward. 

Davey Van’t Schip was next to go close, his stinging volley was cleared off the line by a desperate Brad Norton as the hosts continued to pile on the pressure. 

South did have a moment of brilliance too, controversial winger Nick Epifano cutting the ball across the face of goal to an unmarked David Stirton, who could only watch in agony as his strike was deflected just over the bar.

Pacco continued to push forward, Nakic again getting on the end of a glorious chance but his backheeled effort was saved by man-of-the-match Roganovic. 

The hosts then spurned two absolute sitters when firstly Van’t Schip and then Mathew Lazarides both missed glorious chances after being played in behind the South Melbourne defence.

Aaron Turner was next to test Roganovic, but his volley was saved by the former Melbourne Heart goalkeeper.

With time dwindling away, Van’t Schip had another glorious chance to take all three points but his effort when through on goal flew agonizingly over the bar, leaving the teams to split the points on offer after a goalless yet entertaining 0-0 draw. 

Pascoe Vale 0 drew with South Melbourne 0 at CB Smith Reserve

Pascoe Vale: 35. Alexander Pavlidis, 2. Adrian Talarico, 3. Nathen Megic, 4 Adam Nakic (6. Carl Recchia 89’), 7. Luca Santilli, 8. Joseph Youssef, 10. Davey Van’t Schip, 13. Mathew Lazarides, 17. Aaron Turner, 21. Michael Ferrante, 23. Jake Halliday

Unused Subs: 1. Dennys Martin, 15. Mark Pistaninzi, 18. Tom Black

Yellow Cards: Santilli 56’, Turner 90 

South Melbourne: 1. Nikola Roganovic, 2. Tim Mala, 4. Michael Eager, 7. Nicholas Epifano, 9. Milos Lujic, 11. Brad Norton, 8. Mathew Theodore (12. Iqi Jawadi 70’), 10. David Stirton (27. Leigh Minopoulos 66’), 21. Jake Barker-Daish (23. Andy Kecojevic 66’), 77. Steve Hatzikostas, 5. Luke Adams

Unused Subs: 22. Rory Brian, 14. Chris Irwin

Yellow Cards: Eager 22’, Hatzikostas 77