SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 0

SOUTH MELBOURNE 2 ( YUSUF 14', DIACO 63' )

Line Up: JOHN, AZZOPARDI, OPAZO, NAPOLI, ZILIC, KALMAR (RUSSELL 46'), TALEVSKI, CINI (MARKOVSKI 67'), MAGNACCA, DELIC, GILMOUR. SUBS NOT USED: SIMSEK, TSOUMERKAS, FIORENZA

It was a day when the home team created more scoring opportunities, with the statistics telling a story of more strikes on target for the Cross.
However none of these strikes were converted into goals and South Melbourne were the more efficient finding the back of the net after the quarter hour through Yusuf Yusuf and from the penalty spot on the hour mark with Ricky Diaco.

Both keepers in Martin John for the Cross and Mitchell Langerak for South were forced into several saves each throughout the game with many chances created by both teams

The first goal came from a costly turnover from captain Colin Azzopardi in defence on the left, with the ball eventually finding Yusuf out wide on the left who finished from a 45 degree angle just inside the area.

With Jonas Salley finally departing for A league outfit Adelaide United, George Cross hardman Brett Gilmour made his long awaited return in the central midfield position, and proved his worth winning numerous aerial clashes and placing some well timed tackles on his South Melbourne opponents. While up front coach John Markovski proved he still knows where the net is coming off the bench in the second half to rattle the South defence with his striking precision by both head and foot, almost scoring and getting the Cross back into the match.

Despite Diaco's penalty goal, which resulted from an unfortunate handball by Matt Cini in the area, the Georgies persisted throughout the second half but were unable to crack a resolute and water tight South Melbourne defence led by the inspirational gloves of Langerak.

The loss now leaves the Cross laguishing in the bottom four, but with a game in hand over its opponents in and above the relegation zone.

YELLOW CARDS: NAPOLI 31'