South Coast Flame continued their perfect start to the season after a gritty 2-1 over Hurstville ZFC midweek. A Michael Trajkovski double was enough to see the Flame make it nine straight points to start the season.
Hurstville started the game with a high tempo and looked to press Flame’s midfield and back line. On nine minutes, Conor Earley put his foot through the ball from 20 yards that just curled away from goal.
Flame looked to respond in kind just a few minutes later, Genki Iwata mustered a chance that saw him snap a shot that was well collected by Michael Rutherford.
Against the run of play, Flame struck on 20 minutes almost out of nothing. A long ball from Zander Alston over the defence saw Michael Trajkovski latch onto it first time with a neat touch to edge it past Rutherford and give Flame the lead.
On the half hour, Flame gave away a free kick in dangerous position and Pedro Aleida forced a strong save out of Rocco Zinnato.
On 38 minutes, a failed clearance from Hurstville saw the ball fall to Zander Alston whose thunderous effort just flew over the bar.
Just a few minutes before the break, Jacob Gjorsevski was fouled in the box and a penalty kick was awarded. Trajkovski stepped up and nailed it in the bottom corner to double Flame’s advantage.
Right on half time, Iwata countered swiftly for Flame and he sent a dangerous cross across goal which took a big deflection off Daniel Maras forcing Rutherford into an amazing reflex save.
The save just before the break was big because just three minutes into the second half, Hurstville pulled a goal back. A wicked corner saw the ball flicked on by Declan Sheldon into the far post to reduce the deficit and make it game on.
On the hour, chances started flowing for both sides. Firstly, Almeida took a long range shot that was safely caught by Zinnato and just a minute later, Matt Mazevski put in the perfect cross for Alston who headed over from a few yards.
Hurstville were pushing hard and Andre Guzman saw his header off Almeida go just wide. Just a couple of minutes later, Mouhamed Hamdache started causing some havoc as he squared the ball to Jesse Gagro, but his snap shot hit the side netting.
On 87 minutes, Trajkovski thought he snared his hat trick after heading the ball in on the far post however he was ruled off side.
Hurstville really threw the kitchen sink at Flame however despite their intensity and possession, they were unable to breach Flame’s defence as they saw out the game and drove home with maximum points.
The team is in the middle of a difficult week and Coach Andrew Paine knows just how important it was to get the points.
That was a hard fought three points. Hurstville were motivated and really took the game to us but the boys fought hard and got our goals. In a run like this where we have three games in six days, we need to bank the points, get some recovery in, and move forward to Friday.
Round 3 | Tuesday 27 February 2024 @ Penshurst Park
Hurstville ZFC – 1 (Sheldon 48′)
South Coast Flame – 2 (Michael Trajkovski 20′, 41′)
Flame’s Under 20’s produced a strong performance after dominating Hurstville 5-1.
Flame took the lead as early as the seventh minute when a long ball over the top saw Hoyn run on to it and round the goalkeeper to put Flame ahead.
On 34 minutes, some nifty football from Hoyn saw him chip a ball across goal for Mitchell Despotovski to finish from close range.
Just before half time, Jyden intercepted a loose ball in midfield and laid it on a plate for Hoyn to smash home Flame’s third.
Just after half tine, Marcus Mendes pulled a goal back for the home side after some sloppy defending in the box allowed a free shot 10 yards out.
On 53 minutes, Harb let rip a shot that looped over the keeper from range.
Flame managed a fifth on 62 minutes when Harb got his second after volleying home a loose ball from just inside the box.
Flame 20’s have matched the Senior Men with perfect starts.
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