Tara Murray
Caroline Springs George Cross got some just rewards on Saturday in the National Premier League 3 competition on Saturday night.
After promising so much in the first part of the season, the Georgies produced their best performance of the season against Beaumaris, winning 4-1.
Georgies coach Eric Vassiliadis was a thrilled coach the following day.
“I’m happy and relieved that we have got some just rewards,” he said. “It was a really good performance.
“The group has started fast and been aggressive all year. We were flat last week against Goulburn Valley, it was a unique experience travelling to Shepparton.
“This week we got what we deserved. We had to do it the hard way, coming from 1-0 down.”
Vassiliadis said it was a tough match up against Beaumaris.
They were able to find a way with Josh Whiteley, Omar Ammache, Lochie Reus and Daniel Bramall finding the back of the net.
“We dominated possession like we try to at our ground before we copped one on the break,” Vassiliadis said.
“The boys were cleaner after the restart and we were able to find solutions to get the win.”
The win came despite the absence of number one goalkeeper Gian Tapia, who is out with a long term injury.
Matthew Sesto will get his chance to make the spot his own during the absence of Tapia.
“We got Matty from a NPL club two years ago,” Vassiliadis said. “He’s been with us for a long time.
“We’ll back him in. He was responsible for our Australia Cup journey.
“He’s a senior goalkeeper and he gets a chance to stand on his own two feet.”
Vassiliadis said this season had been a real learning experience for not just the playing group, but the whole club.
He said there was a little bit of understanding that great performances don’t always end in the result that you want.
“We have the mantra of belief,” he said. “You have to stay the course and stay calm.
“Yesterday’s [Saturday’s] game helps with that.”
The win was the Georgies third of the season. The side sits ninth on the ladder.
Vassiliadis said they know they have their work cut out for them if they’re to be in the mix later in the season.
“There’s still a really long way to go for this year,” he said.
“We’ve made it hard for ourselves this year and we have our backs to the wall as a footy club.
“We’ll look at consolidation from here and whatever happens, happens. “
The Georgies face Doveton this week before Essendon Royals the following week to conclude the first half of the season.
North Sunshine Eagles had to share the points with the Goulburn Valley Suns, with the sides having a 1-1 draw.
In the NPL, Green Gully lost to Heidelberg United, while the Melbourne Knights beat the Dandenong Thunder, 1-0.
