South Melbourne Hellas thrash Avondale FC 7-0

South Melbourne Hellas crushed Avondale FC 7-0 at Avondale Heights Reserve on Saturday afternoon in the penultimate round of PS4 NPL Victoria. 

Two own goals in the first half, credited to Jeff Fleming and Michele Crazia respectively, had South Melbourne up 2-0 at the break.

A five goal second half, which included a brace to Milos Lujic, as well as goals to Nick Epifano, Iqi Jawadi and substitute Andy Kecojevic rounded out the comprehensive victory.

Avondale were also reduced to nine men for the final stages of the game after Jason Principato and Anthony Fallone were sent off, in what was a horror day for the home side.

The match began with very few chances.

Avondale were unlucky to find themselves a goal down in the 11^th minute after a South Melbourne free kick deflected off of Jeff Fleming, bouncing awkwardly into the net.

The home side began to create chances but never really tested South goalkeeper Nikola Roganovic.

In the 34^th minute South doubled their advantage. Brad Norton’s ball across the face of goal was met by the oncoming Lujic and Crazia, with the latter being judged to have taken the final touch.

A frantic three minute period just past the hour mark saw the visitors increase their lead to five goals, courtesy of some defensive errors.

The 62^nd minute saw a South Melbourne Hellas player finally get on the scoresheet, with Epifano intercepting Chris Maynard’s pass out from the back, teeing up Lujic to score.

Two minutes later, Iqi Jawadi put the ball in the back of the net, before Epifano scored a goal of his own in the 65^th minute, pouncing on the mistake made by an Avondale defender as he attempted to play the ball out. 

South Melbourne scored their sixth in the 84^th minute with Chris Irwin’s cross evading Lujic but finding Andy Kecojevic.

Avondale were then reduced to 10 men two minutes later, with Principato receiving his second yellow card for the day.

The match was drama-filled up until the final minutes of injury time.

Anthony Fallone conceded a penalty, and was sent off, with Lujic completing his brace, converting the spot kick for goal number seven.

The win puts Hellas in good stead to secure the premiership with a game in hand over closest rivals Pagyprios  Bentleigh Greens

MATCH DETAILS

Avondale FC 0 defeated by South Melbourne Hellas 7 (OG 11’, OG 34’, Lujic 62’ 90+4’ (P), Jawadi 64’, Epifano 65’ Kecojevic 84’) at Avondale Heights Reserve.

Avondale FC: 1. Chris Maynard (GK), 5. Jeff Fleming, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 11. Francesco STELLA, 13. Michele Crazia, 16. Matthew Sanders, 18. Jonathan Munoz, 19. Jason Principato, 24.Daniel Slovacek(4. Jacob Colosimo 55’), 28. Anthony Fallone, 31. Omar Ammache(10. Burakhan Koca 55’)

South Melbourne: 1 Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2 Tim MALA, 4 Michael EAGAR, 5 Luke ADAMS, 7 Nick EPIFANO(23 Andy KECOJEVIC 84’), 8 Matthew THEODORE(10 David STIRTON 77’), 9 Milos LUJIC, 11 Brad NORTON, 12 Iqbal JAWADI, 27 Leigh MINOPOULOS(14 Chris IRWIN 71’), 77 Steve HATZIKOSTAS