State 2; here we come!!
Sunday, 6 September 2009

On Saturday the Southern Suburbs Senior Men’s team achieved its aim of returning to State League 2 following a hard fought 1-0 victory over a determined Springvale City. The result ensured the club promotion regardless of other results. The club had been heading for a thoroughly deserved Championship just days ago however after the unexpected tribunal decision last Wednesday, Berwick City were 'handed' 3 points from their abandoned game versus Springvale City two weeks before and thus moved back on top of Southern Suburbs.

Southern went into this game knowing that they needed to win and they began the game in a positive fashion as they went in search of an opening goal with Josifovski and Strepelias having early shots at goal before Chris Hoodless went on a great run into the box only to see a desperate clearance from the Springvale defender come off the post and to safety. Just before half time the ball fell to Hoodless right in front of goal but the keeper made a brilliant save to parry the ball over the crossbar and deny SS from opening the scoring.

With the score tied a 0-0 at the break SS felt confident the goal they so desperately needed would come in the second half. When the second half began it was actually Springvale that began to get on top pushing and probing the SS defence however they held firm as they've done all year however SS needed more than a clean sheet, they needed a winning goal! Needing to regain their momentum and ascendancy SS coach Arthur Georgiou responded by making 3 quick fire substitutions bringing on Tsoumanekas & Patsias to add some pace out wide while Robbie Nicovski was thrown up forward. SS had played their cards early and it wasn’t long before substitute Con Tzoumanekas brilliantly beat his man out wide and then send in a precision cross to the "go to man" Andrew Strapelias at the back post who then controlled and expertly volleyed home to give SS that crucial goal in the 75th minute.

SS needed another goal to make the game safe and Strepelias almost added the second before Nicovski was put through on goal late in the game but unfortunately shot wide of the mark. It was almost crucial as in the last few very tense minutes a Springvale player went down in the box but the referee waived play on. Soon after he blew an end to this high pressure finish to the season and the players began their celebrations that lasted way into the night.

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