2005
Provisional League 1 Nth/WestRound 10
Brimbank vs Hoppers Crossing
04/06/05
Italo Australian Sporting Club,
Sunshine
By Adam Tennenini
After coming off a disastrous defeat at the hands of geelong Rangers the week prior, Brimbank re-affirmed their potential but demoralising Hoppers Crossing 6-1 in their Round 10 clash.
A notable inclusion was the presence of club favourite, Tony Angerami for the injured Steve Esposito. It was Angerami's first appearance in the senior team for 2005.
The players collectively agreed that the outing against Geelong was unacceptable for a team with aspirations for promotion, and it was evident through the opening minutes of the match against Hoppers Crossing that they went going to let three points slip by the wayside.
Of notable mention was the resurgence of wingers Fontana and Donato who were out to prove their worth. It was the two that combined to create Brimbank's first goal after 10 minutes of play. Donato after his customary trudge down the left wing spotted an unmarked Fontana on the opposite side of the ground. Fontana made no mistake in controlling the ball and slotting it past the goal keeper.
Brimbank were now putting a string of passes together reminiscent of the form that won promotion in 2004. They missed their chance to double their lead when Adrian Giordano missed from the penalty spot after a Hoppers Crossing defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. It wasn't long however before Giordano regained his composure to set up Nedelkov, whose shot from just inside 18 yards found the top corner of the net.
The half continued at the same rapid pace. Brimbank not content with resting on their laurels and protecting their lead. What eventuated were some missed opportunities and a disallowed goal for offside from he boot of Domenic Meddis.
The Stallions continued from where they left off once the second half got under way. Brimbank workhorse Domenic Meddis who was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half was instrumental in disposing his opponent and finding the feet of Giordano to once again set up Nedelkov whose shot was too hot to handle for the Hoppers keeper as it went into goal after his attempted block proved fruitless.
At this point, the game was all one way traffic. The Stallions playing with the same intensity from the very beginning. The fourth goal was a spectators delight. One person amongst the throng that came out to witness Brimbank's best performance of the season to date said, "the players involved certainly seemed a cut above the rest. It consisted of text book wall passing, creative flair, one touch football and showed how 2 or 3 players can beat a defence of 5 or 6". Sweeper Angerami was the architect of the move as he sprinted forward before laying the ball off to Giordano. His one touch passing with Perri and Nedelkov allowed him to find space and receive the ball in front of the helpless goal keeper to complete textbook like passage of play.
The goals kept raining down on Hoppers Crossing, and almost instantly, Brimbank had five on the board. Giordano clearing from a defensive corner, was able to find the feet of Meddis. Meddis' first time pass was dished off to Fontana on the run and then on to Giordano who had sprinted from his own penalty area to suddenly find himself one on one with the Hoppers goal keeper. With one swift move, Giordano was able to beat the offside trap and chip the ball over the goal keeper who had advanced off his goal line.
The only sour note was that for all their dominance throughout the match, Hoppers Crossing were able to force a consolation goal. Second half substitute Kenny Smart on hand to slot the easiest of goals past Dimitropoulos after being left un-marked on the edge of the six yard box.
Brimbank completed the rout in the dying seconds when a deflection off David Loschiavo, from a David Perri corner kick, somehow made its way into the net after a suspicion of hand ball on the goal line by a Hoppers Crossing defender. After some deliberation between the officials, the goal was awarded to complete a memorable day for the Stallions.
Brimbank: Dimitropoulos, Angerami (Di Primo), Tennenini, D.Rulli (A.Rulli), Inglesi, Donato, Fontana, Perri, Giordano, Nedelkov (Loschiavo), Meddis.
Reserves: Brimbank 0-3 Hoppers Crossing
www.brimbanksc.com man of the match: Adrian Giordano