Image: Australian Sporting Photos
Oakleigh Cannons have overcome Bentleigh Greens to book their place in the NPL Victoria Grand Final next Sunday.
On a fine spring day at Kingston Heath, goals from Dean Piemonte, Dusan Bosnjak and Sean Lovemore were enough to overcome Tyson Holmes’ headed effort and send the Cannons into the final game of the season.
The hosts had the first real sight on goal when Ryan Paczkowski found Wayne Wallace through on goal, whose shot at the near post cannoned off the woodwork and flashed across the face of goal.
The visitors and Dimi Hatzimouratis had the first of their efforts on goal moments later when Anthony Rizk’s diagonal ball found the striker – his first effort also hit the post, while his follow-up was smothered by Ryan Scott in a show of great goalkeeping.
The next shot on target came from Dusan Bosnjak following some tricky footwork from Goran Zoric on the wing, but again Scott was on hand to thwart the effort.
Set pieces didn’t feature much in the first half but Steve Pantelidis had an opportunity from a corner when his free header flew over the bar.
Abdalla Okud then played a piercing ball to find Hatzimouratis one-on-one with Scott, but the keeper again came out on top.
However, the resistance was finally broken in the 42nd minute when Hatzimouratis’ shot finally beat Scott but was cleared off the line, only to land to Piemonte for a finish into the open net.
And yet just as the Cannons were looking to carry the lead into the break, a cross from Kieran Dover floated in which Tyson Holmes leaped to head home.
It all got heated later on as Oakleigh appealed for a free kick in the build up to the goal, with tempers flaring just before the half time whistle when Ross Archibald and Dusan Bosnjak along with their respective teammates got involved in some chest-beating.
Bosnjak stepped up to take the free kick with Scott producing another fingertip save.
The away side may have been feeling hard done by but took their anger out on the pitch when a good passing move led to Bosnjak putting away another goal for the season in the 48th minute to restore the advantage.
Bentleigh had a great chance to square the ledger not long after when Wayne Wallace found Dover on the right, but his shot was off target.
Bosnjak then had a golden opportunity to secure his brace on the counter when Hatzimouratis found Zoric who passed to the attacking midfielder as he waltzed his way through on goal, but the custodian came out on top.
Both sides were exchanging opportunities as Matt Thurtell’s header from Kieran Dover’s cross went over the bar.
Sean Lovemore was introduced as fresh legs up front and the substitution paid dividends as he scored with his first touch to kill off the game in the 83rd minute.
One more Lovemore chance missed wide, even though it had the fans celebrating as the side netting rippled.
Paczkowski had a shot late that went over the bar under pressure.
The final whistle blew as the Cannons squad and fans were sent into raptures, with South Melbourne now awaiting in the Grand Final at Lakeside.
The Greens’ focus now turns to the NPL national finals series, as well as an FFA Cup berth against Melbourne Victory.