MY BALL: Griffith City’s Greg Bonetti battles for possession in his side’s loss to Yoogali FC yesterday at Noe Santolin Oval. Picture: Anthony Stipo
YOOGALI Football Club has earned just its third win of the Griffith and District season, after defeating Griffith City Football Club in a gutsy display at Noe Santolin Oval.
The home side made the most of its chances as a slick goal to Aaron Sergi early in the second half stopped a potential City comeback in its tracks.
Griffith City coach Ross Panebianco expressed his frustration that his side walked away with no competition points despite having several chances to control the tempo of the game.
“I said to the players after the game and at half-time when were down a couple of goals, I didn’t think we were playing badly or that we didn’t have a chance,” he said.
“In patches I think we dominated but it’s just one of those games where we gave away a couple of chances and they didn’t waste them.”
Rubbing salt in Griffith City’s wounds were serious injuries to Chris Andreazza, who suffered a strained hamstring early, and Matt Whight, who was brought down from behind late in the game.
“Chris did his hamstring and Matty Whight right at the end of the game came off. It looks like he’s done an ankle, but it looks quite serious,” Panebianco said.
“Which is a shame for him because he’s an important player for us and he’s a likable player to have on the field. He’s just come back from three weeks off, so hopefully he’s only out for one or two weeks at the most.”
The visitors to Noe Santolin Oval went on the attack early with Geoff Bortolin and Greg Bonetti getting through plenty of work as they looked to inspire their team.
But it was YFC first on the board when a low shot had eyes as it found its way through several defenders to give the home side the lead.
The margin grew to two when YFC were awarded a penalty, with Regional Premier League player Sergi slotting home his first for the afternoon as the men in gold led 2-0 at the break.
Griffith City needed to be the first to score in the second half and they did so through Pat Rose, who shone for his side, with his clinical strike energising his teammates.
Despite City starting to climb back into the game Yoogali FC still looked dangerous on the counter-attack as Serhat Ozdemir and Sergi looked to combine often.
Sergi took the wind out of Griffith City’s sail when he pulled off a cleverly weighted shot that lobbed City ‘keeper Bryce Manweiller to give his side a two-goal buffer again, which they would hang on until the final whistle.
