By George Kouroumalis
Saturday 29 July 2006
A healthy crowd at Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett Reserve has seen South Melbourne overcome all odds to end Richmond’s seven game unbeaten run, defeating the Eagles 1-0 last night.
South dominated the opening stages of the first half creating multiple chances in an action packed opening through a long range effort from Fernando De Moraes and a dangerous run by energetic midfielder Bill Natsioulas.
In the 7th minute, South should have found them selves on the score sheet, when a lovely team move initiated by Natsioulas was flicked on by Andres Oliviera into the path of the Brazilian native De Moraes, who fired his shot into the waiting keepers’ arms.
South continued to press and a 15th minute De Moraes corner almost amazingly secure the opening goal of the stanza, when the maestro saw the Richmond keeper off his line, opting to launch an opportunistic strike directly on goal. The custodian managed to acrobatically saved the spectacular effort, keeping his side on level terms.
The 19th minute provided South with the reward they had greatly deserved when youngster Natsioulas weaved and juggled his way past the Richmond defence, brilliantly placing the ball past the advancing keeper, who was left helpless after a piece of individual brilliance.
South weren’t done with yet and continued to bombard the Richmond defence on every foray forward, with Tansel Baser and Scott MacNicol pushing the ball past the post in the 27th and 33rd minutes.
As the half came to a close, Ramazan Tavansioglou found himself in space just inside the area, only for him to scuff his shot wide to his own disbelief ensuring that South would only go into the interval with a one goal advantage.
Richmond’s defence, which was under pressure all game and was stretched to full capacity once again in the 63rd minute and the home side was somewhat fortunate not to concede the game clinching 2nd goal, after a bursting Natsioulas ball was played into the path of MacNicol, who hit his shot from just inside the box straight into the oncoming defensive wall. The rebounding ball from MacNicol’s shot fell directly into the feet of George Tzirtis who with only the keeper to beat hesitated and therefore was closed down by the desperate Richmond defence.
Richmond, who hadn’t really created a genuine opportunity for the match to date, pushed forward with intent for the first time in the 68th minute, when Brendon Beni found himself open just outside the area. To the dismay of the Richmond contingent, he hit his shot directly at keeper Dean Anastasiadis.
South should of closed off the game in the 71st minute, when dominant midfielder Natsioulas found Oliviera in acres of free space inside the area, only for the striker to blast his shot well over the bar.
With Richmond struggling to mount any serious threat on goal, the game petered off in the last ten minutes, with South making sure they left the Kevin Bartlett Reserve with all three points.
The victory has lifted South in 2nd spot with a massive game against the Oakleigh Cannons next Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium, while the disappointing Eagles face a determined Kingston City away next Friday Night.
South Melbourne 1 (Natsioulas)
Richmond 0
South Melbourne end Richmond’s unbeaten run
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