By ADEM SARICAOGLU
SUNSHINE George Cross enjoyed a 2-1 win over State League One rival Altona Magic in the Men’s State Knockout Cup at Paisley Park on Saturday.
The match went into extra time after Magic equalised within minutes of the final whistle at the end of the 90, but Bozidar Lojanica managed to score his second goal late in the piece.
Lojanica opened his account early in the first half, helping the Georgies to a 1-0 lead that almost lasted through to the end of the 90.
But the gun attacker then had to rely on the class of youngster Kieren Farrugia, who provided a lovely cross from the right to set up the late winner.
Coach Tony Ciantar was happy to get a win at a venue that hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground the Georgies in recent years.
“I’m absolutely pleased and absolutely delighted with the result,” Ciantar said.
“We haven’t won at Altona Magic for eight or nine years so any result like that is a good result.”
Ciantar was keen to note the cameo performance of reserves youngster Farrugia, who was substituted into the match shortly before the 90 expired.
The Georgies have been sure to impress in the Cup competition after achieving a semi-final berth last season.
Ciantar said he approached the match like any other.
“It was something that we wanted to do well in again and stay in,” he explained.
“Any game’s a must-win game as far as the club’s concerned, so they’re pretty ambitious.”
The new-look Georgies have managed just one win in their State League One campaign to date and currently sit seventh on the table, but Ciantar remains hopeful everything will soon click into place.
“It was always going to take a while for the boys to gel,” he said.
“We’ve got a fairly new squad and it was always going to take time.”
Round five of the league resumes this Sunday for the Georgies, hosting FC Bulleen Lions at Chaplin Reserve.
Meanwhile Victorian Premier League giants Melbourne Knights suffered a shock 1-0 loss at home to State League Two Brimbank club, Keilor Park on Friday night.
Keilor Park’s Matthew Dragovic was the lone scorer on the night.
However Green Gully was much more impressive in their away fixture on Saturday, sending five goals past the North Geelong Warriors for an emphatic 5-1 win.
Over at Galvin Park Werribee City knocked out VPL club Southern Stars 9-8 on penalties.
