Gully shades Suns’ efforts

Damen Francis

April 28 2014

Shepparton News

A goal either side of half-time has dealt Goulburn Valley Suns a 2-0 defeat away to Green Gully in round six of the National Premier Leagues under-20 competition.

The home side scored on the stroke of half-time as a Suns defender sliced his clearance into the path of a Cavaliers attacker.

Suns winger Ramah Taya struck the post shortly after the interval and full-back Hussein Sumaili was also denied by the woodwork.

The Cavaliers had no such trouble with fortune, as they doubled their advantage in the 75th minute, with a deflected strike wrong-footing Suns goalkeeper Monty Alghazaly.

It was the home side’s fourth win from five matches and Suns coach Serkan Aktas said his side put in a committed, if unrewarded showing.

‘‘Overall the performance was pretty good and the score didn’t really reflect the game,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘They and Oakleigh Cannons are probably the benchmark of the competition. They’ve only conceded one goal all season and that was a 1-0 loss to Oakleigh.

‘‘They were very organised, but we opened them up pretty easily and looked like we were going to score at anytime.’’

Aktas said his side had its share of the play and was encouraged by the effort away from home, particularly in difficult conditions at Green Gully Reserve.

‘‘The pitch was bobbly, bouncy and soft and wasn’t suited to good soccer,’’ he said.

‘‘(The Cavaliers) controlled play out of the back and it was just a few organisational issues we had that we can work on and set pieces that hurt us the most, we didn’t win many headers.’’

Joey Hogarty continued his fine season, with another industrious performance, Riley Hamilton put in a grinding shift at the heart of defence and Taya once again offered a dangerous outlet in the attacking third.

The Suns are sixth on the ladder, with two wins and a draw from five games.