NEVER SAY DIE SPIRIT PREVAILS.

Oakleigh Cannons: Jamie Cumming, John Fitzgerald, Stelios Drakos, Bill Damianos, Jerry Karpeh, Cameron Watson, Michael Curcija, Aristidis Drakos, Nick Kalmar, Scott Webster, Griffin McMaster. Subs: Ljuban Palinic, Bonnell Obradovic, Dean Panagopoulos, Scott Agustin, Bill Gasparinatos.

Sunshine George Cross: Martin John, Steve Beck, Matthew Cini, Fidell Richards, Douglas Cameron, Kyle Joryeff, (Ben Cogger 82), Evan Christodoulou, Barry Devlin, James Blackburn (George Papadopoulos 75), Andrew Nabbout, David Calleja. Subs: Cameron Salik, Luke Grounds, Tyrone Demetriou.

The travelling Georgie supporters had plenty to celebrate after seeing Sunshine George Cross pull off the upset of the season when they defeated Oakleigh Cannons 2-1 at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night. It was a gutsy win for the visitors after withstanding a lot of pressure from Oakleigh throughout the second half. Sunshine's ploy to defend deep and hit on the break with lightning speed produced the much needed result against the much more fancied opponent. From the outset Oakleigh stroked the ball around and looked comfortable creating plenty of space. Sunshine closed them down on the edge of the penalty area and were posing a threat of their own with break aways through midfield trio Evan Christodoulou, Fidell Richards and Steve Beck. The Georgies surprised the home team when they took the lead after only 8 minutes. Over lapping full back Douglas Cameron sent over a perfect cross from the left that found Andrew Nabbout. The 17 year old youngster tried a first time shot that fortunately found James Blackburn who was able to find the gap to trickle the ball over the line. Following a quick counter attack Douglas Cameron almost doubled the Georgies lead when he got onto the end of a move he started. His cross to Blackburn was returned to Cameron who unleashed a shot on target that Oakleigh's keeper did well to parry for a corner. The pattern of the game continued throughout the first half with the Georgies repelling Oakleigh's attacks on the edge of their penalty area and breakout in numbers. A free kick from the edge of the penalty area by Kyle Joryeff went narrowly past the upright. It took the home team 31 minutes before Martin John was called into action when he dived to his right saving a shot from Michael Curcija. The Georgie were almost caught out after 38 minutes when they pushed too far forward with Oakleigh launching a quick counter attack of their own. The ball finished up at the feet of danger man Jerry Karpeh who saw his shot spectacularly saved by Martin John. Within a minute a corner kick from the right saw the ball fall at the feet of deadly marksman Michael Curcija whose shot curled narrowly past the upright. It was fantastic action for the large crowd at the ground. Oakleigh upped the tempo and following a fast raid on the right wing, Cameron Watson had Martin John diving in vain with the ball going just wide of the post. The Georgies had the last fling on goal before the break following good wing play by Kyle Joryeff. His low centre from the right wing was back heeled goal-wards from close range by James Blackburn into the arms of the Cannons keeper. The Georgies were under extreme pressure early in the second half and for the first time in the game the defence lost its composure. Oakleigh tried everything to grab the all important equaliser, but one way or another the Georgies managed to repel every attack. Former Georgie Nick Kalmar and Jerry Karpeh went close with rasping drives that went wide, and Cameron Watson produced the save of the night from Martin John. His long dipping shot from 20 yards looked a goal all the way until John, back pedalling, finger tipped it for a corner kick. The Georgies continued to soak up the pressure frustrating the home team and almost doubled their lead from a classic counter attack. James Blackburn led the charge out of defence who found Kyle Joryeff with a perfect pass through on goal. Joryeff did everything right when he lobbed Oakleigh's keeper Jamie Cumming. His shot was goal bound, but Stellios Drakos managed to prevent the ball from crossing over the line. The home team had another let off following good midfield play by Steve Beck. His long reverse pass created an opportunity for Fidell Richards who saw his shot blocked by an arm of an Oakleigh defender. The ball fell to Andrew Nabbout who shot just over the bar. It was backs to the wall for the Georgies trying to hold on to their precious lead with Oakleigh pilling on the pressure The Georgie defence led by Martin John, Barry Devlin, Matthew Cini and David Calleja looked to have done enough with Oakleigh resorting to long range shooting that went wide, or over the cross-bar. The Georgie balloon did bust with 11 minutes remaining when Michael Curcija scored his customary goal against the Georgies. He managed to flick the ball wide of a stranded Martin John to give the league leader the equaliser. Georgie fans feared the worst with Oakleigh going for the jugular over the closing stages. Just like throughout the match the Georgie defence would not yield and stood firm. At times it was heart in the mouth stuff with Oakleigh doing everything but score. The Georgies continued to pose a threat of their own with their quick breaks as game took a dramatic turn in injury time. It was the Georgies turn to have Oakleigh defending desperately. A couple of shots on the Oakleigh goal were blocked with the rebound falling to teenager Evan Christodoulou. The youngster showed great composure to lob the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area to pull off one of the best Sunshine George Cross result in recent history. Georgie supporters erupted with euphoria following the goal that produced an unexpected win over one of the league's championship favourites. Sunshine George Cross has improved out of sight since the introduction of youngsters David Calleja, Andrew Nabbout, Evan Christodoulou and Matthew Cini into the team. David Calleja rose to the challenge on the night of marking danger man Jerry Karpeh without being exposed. A win to remember for the Georgies.

UNDER 21: OAKLEIGH CANNONS 5 SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 2.

Goal scorers: Liam McDermott & Aziz Paytoncular.  Oakleigh proved far too strong for this young Georgie team running out 5-2 victors. It was a very open game with the Georgies having as many opportunities as their opponent. Oakleigh took their chance and led 5-0 before the Georgies pulled back a couple of goals.