St George FC win battle for the drop zone encounter
St George FC received a huge boost in its fight against the drop following a thrilling 3-2 victory over fellow relegation threatened side Hills United FC at Landen Stadium on Saturday.
St George FC picked up a precious three points in this relegation six-pointer a Chan Yelchan opened the scoring in the 10th minute then Justin Poon struck in the 53rd and 65th minute to earn the Saints three points.
The hosts showed fight in equalizing twice before they conceded a third goal to fall to defeat. Yu Okubu equalized twice in the 15th and the 54th minute to bring it back to 2-2 and continue his strong from in front of goal but it wasn’t enough as Saints went on to taste a vital victory.
St George FC made it 1-0 in the 10th minute with their first chance. Chan Yelchan flicked it up for himself before he rolled it home.
Next, Jaden Casella tried to push St George FC further ahead. He cut inside and fired straight at Hills United FC keeper Ryan Wood.
Hills United FC levelled the game with an incisive movement. Noah Casserly played it forward for Byron Ginn who cut it back for Yu Okubo to fire home for 1-1 in the 15th minute.
Wood tried to find Okubo again with a long ball. The custodian lofted it high for the striker but his effort went straight at St George FC keeper Mackenzie Syron.
Yelchan was a nuisance down the wing in the first half the visitors. He found space again before his effort was dragged wide of the post.
The Saints continued to have chances at the end of the first half. Casella was in another attacking position but shot straight at Wood.
St George FC made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute. Nicholas Kalogerou sent in a cross which rebounded to Justin Poon who thrashed home.
Hills United FC had an instant response through goal machine Okubo. The ball fell to him inside the box and swept home for 2-2 in the 54th minute.
Poon looked to restore the St George FC lead again. He drove into the area before he bent an effort right at Wood.
Substitute Connor Quilligan provided the assist for St George FC’s third goal. He controlled it well before finding Poon who fired home for 3-2 in the 65th minute.
The hosts thought they had found a third equalizer in the contest. Okubo again had the ball in the back of the net but the flag was up for offside.
Hills United FC emptied the bench to chase another equalizer and a precious point in this contest.
St George FC had a pair of chances to kill off the game in stoppage time but whacked one against the post and the other wide.
Post match, Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly reflected on what was a tough loss that has plunged his side right in the mix of the relegation battle.
“It was a tight game that could’ve gone either way but when you concede three goals at home this is what happens. It has been the story of our season to come close but we have to keep fighting.” said Casserly.
While it was all smiles for St George FC coach Steve Karavatakis who tasted his first victory since being appointed as the Saints manager, a win that could well go a huge way in the club’s fight for survival.
“I was happy to get the win, it was always going to be a tough game.
“They are good with possession going forward which we spoke about.
“It is a massive three points which helps to give us a small buffer but it is going to be close.” said Karavatakis.
Match Stats
Hills United FC 2 (Okubo ’15 ‘54)
St George FC 3 (Yelchan ’10 Poon ’53 ‘65)
Saturday 27 July 2024
Landen Stadium
Referee: Logan Jones
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath & James Makris
Fourth Official: Luke Chapman
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 8. Yerasimakis Petratos (77. Dimi Petratos ’79), 9. Yu Okubo, 11. Anthony Frangie, 12. Jordan Lane (2. Rainer Smahel ’63), 15. Noah Casserly, 16. Lachlan Seeping, 19. Glen Kelshaw (20. Thomas Lopez ’79), 22. Byron Ginn (13. Cameron Philp ’79), 27. Nicolai Muller (26. Thomas Makko ’63)
Unused subs: 31. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Y. Petratos ‘48
Red cards: nil
St George FC: 3. Troy Danaskos, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 10. Harry Jones, 17. Thomas Brown, 18. Mark Rodic, 23. Evangelo Souris (8. Connor Quilligan ’60), 30. Justin Poon (11. Anthony Morabito ’74), 33. Jaden Casella (16. Sebastian Cerecedo ‘90+1), 38. Chan Yelchan (7. Jesse Spang ’60), 99. Mackenzie Syron
Unused subs: 20. Daniel Axford, 37. Jakov Malbasa
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Justin Poon (SGFC)
2: Yu Okubo (HUFC)
1: Nicholas Kalogerou (SGFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
