Late Malbasa Header Seals Massive Three Points For Raiders

SD Raiders FC secured a crucial 3-2 victory over St George FC at Barton Park on Saturday evening, producing a second-half comeback before substitute Jakov Malbasa delivered the decisive late goal.

The result was another important step forward for SD Raiders, who continued their strong run of form, while St George FC were left disappointed after twice holding the lead in a match where every point remains vital in their battle for survival.

The Saints started brightly and created the first opportunity of the contest when Nikola Skataric drove down the flank before cutting the ball back for Edmun Haddad, who fired over the crossbar.

SD Raiders responded through Charlie Ragg, who cut inside his defender before forcing St George goalkeeper James Husoy into a comfortable save.

The visitors continued to threaten from set pieces, with captain Sebastian Malfara delivering a dangerous free-kick towards Mihael Marcic, who headed straight at Husoy.

St George eventually found the breakthrough in the 30th minute.

Jaden Casella stepped up from a free-kick and produced a brilliant curling effort into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead.

The Saints almost doubled their advantage shortly afterwards when Casella attempted to repeat the finish from another set piece, but this time the Raiders wall stood firm.

St George continued their strong start after the break, with Casella again finding space before delivering a cross towards Skataric, who headed narrowly wide.

However, SD Raiders responded and levelled the contest in the 56th minute.

The ball fell kindly to Lachlan McGrath inside the penalty area, and the forward made no mistake as he calmly finished to make it 1-1.

The visitors completed the turnaround just four minutes later.

A defensive mistake allowed substitute Thomas Santarossa to fire towards goal, with the rebound falling perfectly for Marcic, who converted to give SD Raiders a 2-1 lead.

Santarossa almost added a third shortly afterwards, finding space on the edge of the box, but his effort was straight at Husoy.

St George refused to surrender and restored parity in the 70th minute.

Skataric produced a powerful strike from distance that flew into the back of the net, bringing the scores level at 2-2.

Casella almost put the Saints back in front moments later, but SD Raiders goalkeeper Michael Figueira held his first-time effort well.

The final twist arrived in the 83rd minute.

Malfara delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, with substitute Jakov Malbasa rising highest to head home and restore SD Raiders’ lead.

St George pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but the Raiders defended strongly through the closing stages and held on to secure all three points.

Following the match, SD Raiders coach Goran Ljuboja praised his side’s resilience and ability to find a way through a difficult contest.

“We knew it was going to be tough. They need to win and get points, so it was going to be a chaotic game,” Ljuboja said.

“We struggled first half, then we made subs which helped. We missed some sitters in the second half, but I told the boys to be brave and they found a way to win.”

Match Stats

St George FC 2 (Casella ’30 Skataric ‘70)

SD Raiders FC 3 (McGrath ’56 Marcic ’60 Malbasa ‘83)

Saturday August 1 2026

Barton Park

Referee: Ayad Naji

Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Daniel Cornofsky

Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz

St George FC: 2. Rocco Smith, 4. Jayden Seeto, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Justin Poon (21. Harry Keys ’73), 8. Evangelo Souris (14. Isaac Cunningham ’84), 9. Nikola Skataric, 10. Jaden Casella, 15. Mark Rodic, 18. James Husoy, 24. Edmun Haddad (11. Lachlan Sepping ’56), 88. Christopher McStay (12. Toshiki Makimoto ’73)

Unused subs: 13. Sebastian La Luz, 37. George Kotronakis, 38. Rafael Costa

Yellow cards: Rodic ’22 Smith ‘90+5

Red cards: nil

SD Raiders FC: 1. Michael Figueira, 4. Cooper Hanagan, 5. Jett Mccue-Shore, 7. Mihael Marcic, 12. Lachlan McGrath, 14. Noah Chianese (6. Lachlan Everett ’73), 15. Matthew Lee (9. Jakov Malbasa ’57), 17. Martin Fernandez (37. Robert Eremugo ’80), 18. Charlie Ragg, 21. Sebastian Malfara, 47. Ethan Beaven (11. Thomas Santarossa ’57)

Unused subs: 8. James Letta, 22. Yonathan Sebhatu, 31. Oliver Przydacz

Yellow cards: Malbasa ’73 Mccue-Shore ‘89

Red cards: nil

By Justin Davies