Line up: M. John, D. Calleja, D. Cameron, M. Cini (L. Grounds 20)(J. Blackburn 45), B. Devlin, F. Richards, B. Cogger (D. Sweeney 68), C. Konstas,   A. Nabbout, E. Christodoulou, S. Nicholson. Subs;  , G. Papadopoulos, C. Salik. Scorer: Stuart Nicholson.

Sunshine George Cross was dealt a severe blow before the game with the news influential striker Kyle Joryeff saying he would not play in this important fixture, and of his intention to join South Melbourne once the transfer window opens on Monday. This definately had an unsettling effect on the team with the Georgies producing their worst performance of the season. On the day Sunshine George Cross was no match for a brilliant South Melbourne team in the final game of the first round of the season. South's winning margin of 3-1 flatters the Georgies, with South Melbourne controlling the match from the first whistle to the very end. South were so dominant the match could have been all over before half time. South Melbourne were methodical in their build up play with good passing from the back that was capitalised on by a dominating midfield combination of Fernando De Moreas, Carl Recchia and Marinos Gasparis. This trio continuously provided through passes to their strikers, who fortunately for Sunshine were wasteful in their finishing. Martin John was called into an early finger tip save from Gianni De Nittis after an excellent pass from Joe Keenan. Sunshine found it difficult getting into the game with Stuart Nicholson and Andrew Nabbout being isolated throughout the first half. Fidell Richards raised Sunshine's hopes when he provided Nicholson with a good through pass. The Georgie striker finished poorly by shooting at the South keeper. The Georgies long balls policy from defence posed little threat to the South Melbourne defence. Sunshine defender Matthew Cini went off with a hamstring injury after 20 minutes to add to the mounting list of problems. South continued to be wasteful with De Nittis once again hitting a golden chance way over the bar from close range. Sunshine's best move involved Luke Grounds and Evan Christodoulou who set up Andrew Nabbout. The Georgie youngster went past his opponent, but he also shot over the bar. It took South 43 minutes to break down the Georgies defence following a good run and cross by Rama Tavsancioglu that found Marinos Gasparis. The former Georgie had time to place his shot past Martin John to give South a deserved lead at the break. Andy O'Dell introduced striker James Blackburn in place of Luke Grounds in a bid to add a bit of height in attack. It made little difference with South continuing going into attack after the break with a move that involved eight players. The final shot on goal hit the post much to the relief of the Georgie players and fans. Reliable Georgie defender Barry Devlin was a relieved man when his intended clearance went narrowly over the cross-bar to keep the score at 1-0. Sunshine George Cross were more compatitive in the second half, but South had all the answers to any challenge thrown at them. The home team kept the Georgies in the game as good build up play was not capitalised on with poor finishing. The game was as good as over after 70 minutes when Joe Keenan timed his run perfectly to run on to a through pass on goal. He kept his cool and slotted the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-0. The Georgies responded with a good move from James Blackburn and Evan Christodoulou who found Stuart Nicholson. The Georgie striker who was playing his first game after a 4 week's suspension, took on his marker and worked his way into the penalty area to revive flagging Georgie hopes with a well placed shot to reduce the deficit. The expected revival never materialised with South Melbourne continuing to control the match. The commanding South Melbourne defence allowed Sunshine only fleeting half chance before the Blues finally wrapped up the match with a goal in the 92 minute through Yusuf Yusuf. The winger cut in from the right flank and gave Martin John little chance with a fierce rising shot to ensure an easy victory for South Melbourne. This will be one game Sunshine George Cross will want to forget as quickly as possible, because the form displayed against South Melbourne was too bad to be true.

UNDER 21: SOUTH MELBOURNE 8 SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 1 Scorer: Liam McDermott.

our youngsters made it a match for the league leaders until they conceded the 4th goal, then all heads dropped to concede another 4 late goals. Down 2-1 at the break Sunshine was unfortunate not to be on level terms when a perfectly good goal was disallowed for offside. The Georgies fluffed a couple of easy chance to get back on level terms early in the second half, as confidence began to drain. Our team finished the game with 10 players following a serius injury to Guiliano Di Marco who was taken to hospital. We wish Guiliano a speedy recovery.