By Mark Gojszyck (@hahahamark)

Springvale White Eagles has slumped to its third-straight NPL 1 loss, going down to North Geelong Warriors 3-1 at Serbian Sports Centre on Saturday.
 
With the Warriors cruising at 2-0 well into the second half through goals to Nicholas Jurcic and Mark Paleka, a Vojislav Milojevic strike gave the home side the chance to mount a comeback, but substitute Jackson Davis killed off Springvale’s chances with a thunderous strike in injury time.
 
The Warriors took the ascendency right from kick-off, with Matthew Townley’s free kick in the first minute forcing a strong save from Mathieu Tetron.
 
Most of the chances fell to North Geelong in the first 20 minutes, but it struggled to find a decisive finish.
 
Paleka had a ball land at his feet in the box, but with just the keeper to beat, panicked and hit a weak shot wide.
 
Robert Zadworny, one of the shorter players on the pitch, then managed to get on the end of a cross, but his header also flashed just wide.
 
The home side eventually found its feet, with the speedy Milojevic looking threatening down the right flank.
 
Scott Millar then had a sight on goal but his shot flew high.
 
Springvale undid all its hard work just after the half hour mark when a mix up at the back left Jurcic with an easy shot from close range.
 
After halftime, Springvale immediately attacked and generated a number of chances in search for the equaliser, but could not muster any clear-cut chances.
 
In the 55th minute, Paleka had a simple opportunity to double North Geelong’s lead, with the choice of shooting or laying it off to Michael Boyar, but his hesitation on the ball cost him possession.
 
He made up for his indecision just a minute later, taking a chance on a long shot that kept low and beat Tetron.
 
The White Eagles kept pushing, and thought they had a penalty when Hamish Millar dribbled into the box and went down. However, their protests were waved away by the referee.
 
Just a few minutes later, Springvale’s pressure paid off when Milojevic got on the end of some good build-up play and placed a shot past Frano Saric.
 
Millar then had the perfect opportunity to level the game, but struck his gilt-edged chance just wide of the post.
 
With the noisy contingent of away supporters willing their team on, it was substitute Jackson Davis that put the result beyond doubt with a thumping shot from range that left Tetron with no chance.
 
Springvale coach Zlatko Mihaljovic was ropeable with his team’s effort.
 
“We can’t do the basic things right, we can’t get up for the game,” Mihaljovic said.
 
“We’re not mentally switched on, and for me it’s just sitting there and getting frustrated.”
 
North Geelong coach Ante Skoko was mostly impressed with his team’s performance, but said it was not the complete package.
 
“We did well in the first half, but the last half hour we perhaps let them in,” Skoko said.
 
“Credit to them, they made it difficult for us.”
 
Springvale now faces a horror run of four games on the road, while North Geelong returns home to face Bulleen.

MATCH DETAILS

Springvale White Eagles 1 (Milojevic 68’) lost to North Geelong Warriors 3 (Jurcic 30’, Paleka 53’, Davis 90’) at Serbian Sports Centre [HT: 0-1]

Springvale White Eagles: 1. Mathieu Tetron [GK], 3. Joey CALDERONE, 4. Simo JOVANOVIC, 8. Marcus HOLMES, 10. Stojan MILOJEVIC, 18. Ryan DON PAUL, 21.Dejan ERAKOVIC, 6. Slavisa SARIC, 19. Vojislav MILOJEVIC, 13. Hamish MILLAR (11. Paul MAGHIAR 46’), 5. Scott MILLAR

Unused Subs: 12. Bojan TOMIC, 15. Sam MORGAN, 14. Andrea STOILOVIC, 16 Jamie DE SMIT

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

North Geelong Warriors: 1. Frano SARIC (GK), 15. Reha KURUL (5. Nicola JURKOVIC 72’), 12 Nathan LONG, 2. Darren LEWIS, 11. Matthew TOWNLEY, 4. Nathan COOK, 7. Nicholas JURCIC, 9. Michael BOJAR (3. Callum FERGUSON 65’), 8. Vito CICHELLO, 10. Robert ZADWORNY, 14. Mark PALEKA (13. Jackson DAVIS 75’)

Unused Subs: 6. Nicholas ANDERSON, 31. Daniel ZILIC (GK)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None