Northern Spirit continued South Melbourneıs woeful recent run with a 2-1 win at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday evening.
After a scoreless first-half where South held the upper hand, Adam Kwasnik gave Spirit the lead just after the interval. Jonathon Richter extended the margin midway through the half with a magnificent solo run. Vaughan Coveny brought South back into the contest within three minutes, but was unable to make up the deficit in the remaining minutes.
It was Spiritıs first ever points at Bob Jane in its six seasons of existence.
Spiritıs coach Lawrie McKinna was understandably delighted with his chargesı result. ³After backing up from playing on Friday night, it was a great effort,² he said. ³Itıs always hard coming here. Itıs great to get a result.²
South Melbourne coach Stuart Munro delayed his arrival in the post-match media conference as he held a closed-doors meeting with his players immediately after the game. His competitive nature was stung by the poor recent run of form. ³Itıs not me thatıs going to turn it around. Itıs going to be the players. They are the ones who have to put the ball in the back of the net, and stop conceding stupid goals,² he said.
He questioned his playersı commitment to winning. ³I just wish that they could feel it half as much as I do. If they donıt feel it, then theyıre in the wrong place,² he said. ³I feel defeat probably more than anyone Iıve ever known. I hate it. Iım like a bear with a sore head for four or five days after (a loss). (The players) have got to feel the same way.²
South Melbourne came into this game seeking to conclude a three-game losing streak which ended its chances of finishing in the prized second spot and - with it - the Finals double-chance, severely denting its championship credentials. Although its place in the Finals was not in jeopardy regardless of the result, this fourth successive loss does not augur well for its post-February prospects.
Northern Spirit's championship tilt had ended some rounds before, but the Spirit playersı need to impress for next season set the match up as an enticing prospect.
Grand Prix infrastructure which invades the surrounds of Bob Jane was a factor in a lower than expected attendance, access to the area being almost impossible, and many patrons giving up in frustration.
Coveny almost benefitted from poor a defensive counter to a Con Boutsianis free-kick just seven minutes in, but swept his effort wide from close-range.
Kristian Sarkiesı volley from 25 metres flashed by the far post when he was first to snap up a partially-cleared corner just after the quarter-hour, and minutes later his free-kick from a similar distance bent around the wall but went wide. Itıs testimony to Sarkiesı complete integration into this South side, despite his youth, that he can displace Boutsianis in these responsibilities.
Kwasnik showed an indication of what was to prove more deadly when he took advantage of some ineffective defending running onto a loose ball. Eugene Galekovic was quick out of goal to clear at the very limits of his area.
But the first period was mostly Southıs. Clever combining from Paul Trimboli and Carl Recchia wide on the right allowed Recchia to send in a low cross to the near-post. Coveny got a touch, but it hit the near-side netting.
³It was important for us to come in at nothing-each after playing on Friday night,² said McKinna.
Wayne OıSullivan was Spiritıs most effective creative player, and just after the half-hour decided mere promptings were not enough, running onto a lay-back from a well-held Brent Fisher to shoot from fully 30 metres. Galekovic had to stretch to touch it over the bar. John Hutchinson had made good ground up the left to feed Fisher, regaining his composure after a petulant off-the-ball clash with Recchia which earnt him a deserved caution.
³Sullyıs been brilliant all season for us,² said McKinna. ³His work-rate rubs off on a lot of people. Heıs enthusiastic, he works hard heıs got good skill as well.²
South Melbourneıs first-half profligacy came back to bite it when Spirit took the lead six minutes after the break. Kwasnik was first to see the opportunities presented by a long ball and rounded a double challenge from Marcus Stergiopoulos and Sam Poutakidis on the right to shoot fiercely past Galekovic. Southıs season looked to be in serious danger.
³The goal was an absolute joke on our defensive part,² said Munro. ³Players diving in and doing everything wrong.²
And midway through the period, it threatened to move onto the critical care list when Richter took advantage of a square South defence to run 40 metres shooting home after stepping inside a last-ditch challenge from Stergiopoulos.
Coveny brought back South into the contest three minutes later with a right-foot thunderbolt from outside the penalty-area which fairly flew past Paul Henderson. But despite pressing hard for an equaliser, and with the small but angry support baying its displeasure McKinna lightheartedly explained the win as due to ³the fact that the players have been paid these last six weeks.²
³For a long part of the season theyıve never had (anything). Thereıs a lot more positive things happening at the club and (weıre) looking to push ahead for next year.²