Photo: The Sporting WALL
Werribee City put on a masterclass as they outplayed Box Hill United on a cold, windy day at Wembley Park, with Bees import Shaun Weaver contributing with a brace in the 2-0 away win.
Weaver provided an instant impact as he provided the first shot of the game in the first minute while at the other end, Box Hill winger Del Monaco whipped in a cross to Kazuki Okada which hit the post, but he was adjudged offside.
Early in the first half, Damien Peters – in his second game with Werribee – almost grabbed a second goal in as many weeks, but chipped the ball wide.
Up the other end, former Victory youth player Kobbie Boahene made City keeper Marko Stevanja – another mid-season signing – work with a diving save.
Teammate Caleb Ludlow tried an ambitious shot from long-range which didn’t trouble the keeper too much.
Box Hill controlled larger portions of possession, but Werribee grafted out the better chances of the match.
They deservedly hit the lead in the 43rd minute with a header from the hard-working Weaver from a perfect cross of Domenico Marafioti’s boot, met with many cheers from the Werribee faithful, battling the cold weather and long drive.
To start the second half, Box Hill captain Michael Godfrey headed a Ludlow cross towards goal, though it was met with a save at the near post by the Werribee keeper.
Box Hill keeper Keegan Coulter was forced to make a number of near post saves as Werribee pushed forward looking for the goal that would surely win it.
Marafioti and Weaver combined well all match, and it was no surprise that the two contributed to Werribee’s second goal in the 77th minute.
A cross from Marafioti and a header to Weaver just about put the game out of contention for Box Hill at 2-0.
The home team went into attack mode as they desperately tried to score in the last 10 minutes, but the score remained the same despite a late flurry of chances.
A goal-line scramble saw fullback Joey Calderone nearly score twice, as Werribee forced a pair of blocks in the space of a few seconds.
Substitute Alex Dao also saw a good chance go begging, as he headed wide from an angled cross from the left.
Werribee City boss Serge Sabbadini was pleased with his side’s execution of their game plan heading into the contest.
“We prepared to play a certain way today and they carried out the instructions perfectly today,” Sabbadini said.
“We don’t like to just play high balls but when we get into good positions to score and when he’s one-on-one at least, we try to find him.
“That’s not normally our MO, we try to play the ball to feet, quick breaks. I thought our defensive structures was also good today.
The head coach also provided some background to his newest headline maker, with Englishman Weaver signing from Cairnlea FC this transfer window.
“He’s actually from Liverpool so he’s one of our Visa players. He fitted in with the group really well and he’s a good lad off the park as well,” Sabbadini said.
“Shaun is a great battler and he gives us 100% every week.”
The win extends Werribee’s unbeaten run to five games, marking a productive turnaround in fortunes since Sabbadini took charge of the Western Suburbs side.