By ADEM SARICAOGLU
ALTONA Magic coach Pece Stojevski insists his was the better side on the park against Sunshine George Cross on Saturday, despite the Magic suffering a tense 2-1 loss.
The State League One rivals did battle in the Men’s State Knockout Cup fixture at Paisley Park and were forced into 30 minutes of extra time after the match remained deadlocked at 1-1 after the 90.
Magic’s Melvin Becket equalised within minutes of the final whistle in regulation after the Georgies’ Bozidar Lojanica put the visitors ahead early in the first half.
It was Lojanica who then struck again at the death, scoring his second at the end of extra time to remove Altona from the Cup in stunning fashion.
However Stojevski told Star it should have been his team celebrating a late winner on Saturday.
“At the end of the 120 minutes we were still on top of them and creating a lot of chances to score, and one lucky shot for them hit the post and went in,” Stojevski explained.
“Throughout the 120 minutes we had plenty of chances, especially one on one with the goalkeeper, and with a little bit more experience in front of goal, we could’ve won that game easily.”
Magic chose to take a young and inexperienced squad into the clash and rested a number of key senior players, including most of their defensive starters.
Stojevski was defiant about the result itself, and remained buoyant about the showing his young charges produced against what he dubbed a very experienced George Cross outfit.
“It was probably one of our best games of the season, and we’re talking possession and how we played,” Stojevski said.
Magic will now go back to State League One this weekend, and on Saturday will host Moreland Zebras.
Meanwhile Victorian Premier League giants Melbourne Knights suffered a shock 1-0 loss at home to State League Two club Keilor Park on Friday night.
Keilor Park’s Matthew Dragovic was the lone scorer on the night.
Green Gully however 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.
