Article courtesy of Ante Jukic // Picture Alison Wynd // Geelong Advertiser
ITS match against benchmark sire Whittlesea Ranges may have finished 0-0 at Elcho Park, but North Geelong is confident it can secure promotion in NPL2.
While a 10-man Warriors outfit could only manage a point at home to the NPL2 West league leaders, they were satisfied with a much-improved performance from their 7-2 win over Bendigo City. The team stayed in the dressing room longer than usual post-match and it was evident players came out knowing promotion was a realistic prospect.
“We had a good chat in the dressing rooms, if you couldn’t tell. If Whittlesea are top of the league, and everyone’s considering them to be the benchmark, we’re right there with them,” Warriors captain Matt Townley said post-match. “Although it finished 0-0, it was probably one of our more complete performances. We were very difficult to play against today, and we definitely had our chances to take the three points.”
The central defensive pairing of Townley and Darren Lewis, with Michael Simms screening in midfield, were resolute and restricted a quick Whittlesea attack in the first half. Daniel Zilic brilliantly denied NPL2 top goalscorer Atilla Ofli just out of the interval however, diving low to his left to keep out the striker’s volley.
In what screamed of a 1-0 game, North Geelong had a 15-minute period where they could have scored and gone on to win. Nicholas Jurcic and Kene Eze both had chances to put the Warriors in front in the 57th and 60th minute respectively, but it reflected an overall lack of control in the final third. Matt Thorne’s 81st minute dismissal, receiving a second yellow for his hasty challenge on Whittlesea keeper Luke Gallo, swung momentum back in the visitors’ favour in the final stages.
However, North Geelong held firm for its fourth consecutive clean sheet at home.
“We didn’t take a backward step for 90 minutes, and I think if we put our chances away, the game was ours,” Warriors coach Micky Colina said. “Opportunities went begging, but it was a very good showing from our boys.”
