Flame continued their good early season form with a gritty 1-0 win over a stubborn Prospect side that fought to the end.

Flame started the game with controlled possession and patience with Jacob Gjorsevski pulling down a ball just inside the box on three minutes. His turn and shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Prospect were content to sit back and let Flame have the ball. They were punished on 16 minutes when Yanni Fragogiannis sent a long pass that saw Yanni Perkatis run on to the ball. He took a touch before composing himself and tucking it neatly beyond the goalkeeper to put Flame one up.

Perkatis nearly had a second on 30 minutes when Namito Tsuchiya’s cross found him lurking on the far post. The ball appeared to bounce off Perkatis’ legs and head towards goal with a deperate lunging clearance from Blake Mottram saw the ball cleared to safety.

Prospect’s best and only chance in the first half was carved out by Hristopher Neskovski on 36 minutes who got himself in a strong position however his pass across goal with players waiting alluded everyone.

Just before the break, James Baldacchino nearly found his way on the scoresheet with yet another wonderful ball to the far post by Fragogiannis saw his header narrowly go wide.

Flame had a dominant first half and will consider themselves a little unlucky not to be leading by more at the break.

There was no let up early in the second half with Gjorsevski’s weaving run just five minutes after the restart saw him make his way into the box. He cut back from the by-line and had his shot to the near post well saved.

Just two minutes later, Jason Pappas put Genki Iwata in behind the defence. His firm shot had to be dealt with by the goalkeeper. 

Just seconds later, a mixup in the Prospect defence nearly saw Michael Trajkovski pounce on a loose ball however the home side reacted quickly enough to deny him.

As the game ticked on, both side were desperate for differing reasons; Flame now looking to secure the points and Prospect trying to get something from the game.

The game got tense in the last 5 minutes with Prospect peppering the Flame goal.

Firstly, Rahim Kamara’s shot from the edge of the box just whizzed past the post with one of Prospects few attacking opportunities.

Moments later, Kamara found himself in the thick of it again as his first time half volley from the edge of the box had Flame custodian Jordan Bruce scrambling.

The home side mustered one last chance deep into injury time with Mottram heading wide from close range.

In between these last few moments of madness, Flame had a couple of opportunities to kill the game however they somehow managed to butcher the chances.

Flame perhaps deserved to win the match based on possession and chances however credit to Prospect who never gave up and made it a tough contest.

Speaking to Andrew Paine post match, he was pleased with the resoluteness of Flame’s experienced players in defence. 

That was a tough away game. We controlled the game early however we just couldn’t quite execute the end product.

That made for a nervy ending, but the boys were really brave and committed trying to see the game out.

Our defensive line was immense as we secured a big three points away from home.

Yanni Perkatis was named man of the match. His goal out of midfield proved the difference in the end however it was his ability to solve problems and control the game which made his a standout.

Saturday 16 March 2024 | William Lawson Reserve | Round 6

Prospect United – 0

South Coast Flame – 1 (Perkatis 16′)

The Under 20’s played out an thrilling 3-3 draw with Prospect at William Lawson Reserve.
Jay De Gouveia gave Flame the perfect start after he latched onto a cross on the far post on 10 minutes to give Flame the lead.
Both teams shared attacking opportunities with the hosts missing a couple of sitters. Prospect however did grab an equaliser on 40 minutes after Denis Sehovic headed home from close range off a corner kick.
Prospect hit the lead on 62 minutes after Mason Vuki managed to elude Rocco Zinnato with a shot across goal and into the bottom corner.
Flame battled hard and some wonderful passing through the middle saw Ryan Chard pierce the defence and slot it past the keeper for 2-2. 
Prospect thought they go the winner when Vuki scored on 89 minutes however a wicked cross from Jyden Harb in the dying seconds saw Camil Abouchaaya turn the ball into his own net to level the scores with no time left for a restart.

Several of these youngsters could well feature in the Australia Cup tie midweek to Wollongong United.