ALTONA Magic was not deterred by the fanfare surrounding Kevin Muscat’s comeback game for Sunshine George Cross, winning the State League One battle 31 on Sunday.
Magic, which has not lost to George Cross since 1999, left with three points despite being reduced to 10 men when defender Sime Kovacevic was sent off with a quarter of an hour to play, and thanks to a brace from midfielder Rinor Muriqi and a Milos Lujic goal.
Striker Lujic put the visitors ahead on 13 minutes when he hammered a low shot past goalkeeper Antony Loncaric after a lovely long pass from Benjamin Vahid.
When Georgies defender Barry Devlin won a penalty five minutes before the interval, Muscat, renowned for his ability to convert from the spot, was called up to take it, much to the delight of a home crowd, and made no mistake.
After the teams resumed the second half on level terms, it looked as though the script had been written on 75 minutes when forward Reginald Davani appeared to win another penalty that resulted in Kovacevic’s dismissal for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
But a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area and Muscat’s curling set piece skimmed the post.
The impressive Muriqi gave Magic the points with a late double, first capitalising on a rebound before his free kick from the right evaded everyone and found the net.
