GREEN Gully is within reach of a fifth Football Federation Victoria state knockout cup title.
The Cavaliers advanced to the decider with a gritty 1-0 win over
South Melbourne in the semi-final at JL Murphy Reserve on Wednesday
night.
PICTURE GALLERY: Green Gully v South Melbourne semi-final
They will meet the winner of tomorrow night’s other semi-final,
between Sunshine George Cross and Dandenong Thunder at the Veneto Club
in Bulleen.
Club stalwart Jeff Fleming, who won titles for the Cavaliers as
player and captain, now wants to add to the bulging trophy cabinet as a
coach.
“For this club, with such a long history, making cup finals is everything,” he told the Weekly.
“That’s why the club puts players on the park week in week out. It’s why players turn up to play finals.
“To get an opportunity in a semi-final to make it, it’s a great achievement and something the club puts a huge emphasis on.”
Green Gully was on the back foot in the first half, although
goalkeeper Kieran Gonzalez had few genuine saves to make because Rodrigo
Vargas, Daniel Jones and Mitchell Bissinger provided watertight cover.
The Cavaliers’ best chances came on the counter attack but led to nothing.
The second half started in a similar fashion with Vargas and
Bissinger forced into shot blocks and a sloppy Gonzalez clearance paving
the way for a second-chance effort.
But it was the Cavaliers who broke through with the game’s only
goal through Jason Hayne, the man who looked most likely over the 90
minutes.
Hayne sneaked in behind the last defender after being played in by a well-weighted pass from Shaun Timmins.
He coolly slipped the ball past South goalkeeper Chris Maynard, a move befitting a cup semi final.
Once the game opened up, the Cavaliers appeared more comfortable
and were presented with the better chances in the final 30 minutes.
Osagie Ederaro’s speed and skill on the ball was a constant
headache for South’s defence, while Brian Vanega’s tireless running and
Timmins’ distribution in the defensive midfield ensured the bulk of
possession would be for the boys in green and white.
“The game sort of opened up a bit as South tired,” Fleming said.
“They play a pressing game so they put you under a lot of pressure, particularly early in games.
“As the game went on, we got into the game a bit more and guys
like Osagie, Jason and Brian got on the ball a bit more and created more
for us going forward.
“If you look at the game on chances, I think we had the better of it.”
