City slickers spoil party for Suns

Matthew Galea

September 1 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns endured another tough night on home soil as their inaugural National Premier Leagues Victoria campaign continues to wind down.

The Suns eventually went down 4-1, but were much better value than the score line suggested.

Hume had the better of the opening 10 minutes, and could have been 2-0 up but for some great saves from keeper Phil Petrovski, but the Suns awoke shortly after and started to make their own impact on the game.

Craig Carley put Goulburn Valley a goal to the good when he converted a penalty after Ben Clarke was brought down by a late Ilhan Altuntas challenge.

The Suns might have gone 2-0 up when Cody Sellwood won the ball high up the left wing.

The Tatura boy stole possession and played a lovely one-two with Carley to find plenty of space down the left flank.

His cut back found Bryan Vanega, but he could not convert his one-on-one opportunity.

Vanega was again a standout for the Suns and moved the ball around nicely, looking secure in possession.

Hume City captain Nick Hegarty restored parity with a good finish from just inside the box late in the first half following some good build up play.

The Suns started the second half brightly, but failed to create too many clear opportunities and were punished by the Hume captain, who put his side 2-1 up when he converted a spot-kick of his own.

Clarke was sent off just prior to being substituted for a second yellow shortly after.

If the pacey winger’s first yellow of the night was deserved, his second certainly was not.

While chasing down a loose square pass across the Hume backline, Clarke made minimal contact with Matthew Hennessy who went down dramatically.

The referee took the bait and wasted no time in producing a second yellow, effectively ruining the contest.

The officiating was of a poor standard for both teams all night, with a number of questionable calls throughout the game.

Former Melbourne Victory player Christopher Cristaldo — impressive throughout — made it 3-1 with a beautiful hit from well outside the corner after picking up a short corner, before Hennessy made certain of the points with a headed effort for his first senior goal.