Sunshine George Cross line up: M. John, S. Romein, F. Richards, A. Nabbout ( A. Bourakis 66), C. Sweeney, C. Konstas, D. Cameron, B. Cogger (L. Shin 72), B. Devlin, L. Grounds, J. Blackburn. Subs: C. Salik, M. Cini. D. Portelli.

Sunshine George Cross' frustrations deepend at John Cain Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon when they suffered their 7th successive defeat, this time going down 3-0 to Northcote City. The win by Northcote strenghtened their chances of making the finals in their first season back in the Victorian Premnier League. The strong winds that battered Melbourne on Saturday afternoon effected the standard of play, but considering the conditions both sides played a good brand of football. The 3-0 score line does not reflect a true picture of procedings with Sunshine having more than their share of goal scoring chances. As early as the 5th minute the Georgies could have taken the lead following a cross by Douglas Cameron that Northcote's keeper Chris Petropoulos spilt at the feet of Andrew Nabbout. The Georgie youngster was uner pressure and could not get proper balance, managing only to hit the side netting. Northcote responded when a deflected shot that fell at the feet Mark McGough who blasted his effort way of the mark. The home side took a surprise lead following a rare attack that resulted in an own goal. James Kalifatidis tried to find Trent Rixon from the right, but his low hard shot went across the Georgie goal mouth with the ball striking Luke Grounds and bouncing into the net off Chris Konstas. The goal lifted the home team as they sprayed good on the ground passes. Sunshine's captain Fidell Richards was commanding in midfield with his penetrating runs. His attempted shot fell into the path of Douglas Cameron, who was thwarted by Northcote's keeper diving at his feet. The Georgies continued to pressure the home team with Andrew Nabbout finding Craig Sweeney inside the penalty area. The former NTC youngster shot well over the bar. Shaun Romein was battling hard in midfield and his pass to Douglas Cameron on the left wing created a good opening. Cameron's first time centre found Fidell Richards who could only toe poke the shot wide of the upright. From the resultant poor kick out by Petropoulos, Fidell Richards unleashed a 35 metre shot that went past the upright. Sunshine George Cross had the better of the exchanges in the first half but went into the break a goal down. Northcote began the second half on the attack and were awarded a free kick taken by Mark McGough from just outside the penalty area that gave Martin John no trouble. McGough had another opportunity moments later when he played a one-two with Trent Rixon, but his shot went across the goal with no one getting onto the end of it. Next it was Sunshine's fast raiding midfielder Ben Cogger who tested Petropoulos with a fierce 25 metres drive after 52 minutes. Fidell Richards tried to make things happen for the Georgies with another surging run that ended with him falling over just inside the penalty area. At the other end James Kalifatidis caused Sunshine problems with a great opening that was wasted. Eduardo Soares' polished little touches and quick one-twos provided another opening for the home team, but his perfect centre failed to find a team mate. Shaun Romein's free kick was deflected for a corner as the Georgies went in search of an equaliser. Sunshine's full back Douglas Cameron was caught in possession with the ball being played across the goal to Eduardo Soares whose shot from inside the penatly are went well over the bar. The Georgies best chance of an equaliser came after 72 minutes when substitute Leo Shin found Craig Sweeney on the right wing. Sweeney's first time centre found Douglas Cameron who steadied before blasting his shot wide of the post. Cameron was getting himself into good scoring opportunities, but his finishing was like a defender. With that glaring miss went the Georgies chances of getting anything from the game. Coach Theo Constantinou pushed big central defender Barry Devlin up forward leaving bigs gaps at the back. Northcote capitalised on amount of space in attack with Trent Rixon running onto a pass from Voulgaris and past Luke Grounds to blast the ball past Martin John to make it 2-0 in favour of the Blues. The Georgies battled on with a Shaun Romein header forcing another good save by Chris Petropoulos. The Georgies had run their race with Northcote now well incharge and creating good scoring chances. After several near misses the icing was put on the cake with another brilliant goal from Jonathon Voulgaris. The Georgie defence was once again caught too far forward with Voulgaris recieving a brilliant pass from Rixon. The youngster still had plenty to do, but did it in style. He went past two Georgie defenders at speed and delivered a curling shot that Martin John could do little about.

Under 21s: NORTHCOTE CITY 2 SUNSHINE GEORGE CROSS 3

Goal Scorers: David Straniero 2, Guilano Di Marco

After 7 succesive defeat our under 21 team ended their run of outs with this come from behind 3-2 win. It was a much better performance by the youngsters who took an early lead before finding themselves 2-1 down. There was to be no packing up and going home this week as they rolled up their sleeves and equalised just before half time. Sunshine pressured the home team throughout the second half and were rewarded with a winning goal to get their season back on track.