CORIO FIRES PAST RANGERS IN DERBY
Win buoys hopes
CORIO kept its faint promotion hopes alive with a valuable 2-0 win over Geelong Rangers in their State League 2 derby clash on Saturday.
A strong northerly wind, which swept through Myers Reserve during the afternoon, ensured the Round 17 fixture was a contest of two halves.
Corio started off better with star striker Vedran Stojanovic posing a threat early on. The league’s leading marksman almost opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Justin Hanns did just that in the 23rd minute.
Callum Ferguson flicked the ball over to Hanns who controlled with his chest in the six yard box before sidefooting it past Rangers’ goalkeeper Hayden Van der Chys.
It was a solid attacking display by the visitors for the rest of the opening half, with Rangers allowed few attacking chances, although the Dark Blues’ defence remained solid.
Immediately following the interval, there was drama for Corio as Ferguson was subbed off on 48 minutes with a suspected knee injury.
Cam Lee came on as his replacement and had an immediate impact on the outcome of the derby. In the 54th minute, Lee found himself in space, as he latched on to a loose ball and slammed it home to make it 2-0 for the soaring Eagles.
After the goal, however, it was a different story. Rangers created quite a few chances in the remaining half-hour, but wasted three or four golden opportunities and were forced to shoot from a distance.
Corio was dangerous on the counter-attack and arguably could have scored a couple more goals, with Stojanovic cracking a rasping volley from 10 yards out, which was brilliantly saved by Van der Chys.
It needn’t have mattered, as Corio came away from Rangers’ fortress with all three points. And, with Hoppers Crossing and Altona City drawing 0-0 in their top of the table clash, the win pushes Corio to within five points of the duo.
After the match, Rangers’ coach called it as it happened.
“The windy conditions made it impossible for both sides to play good football,” Stuart Begg said. “We had numerous chances but we failed to capitalise and that cost us dearly. They took their chances and that was the big difference.
“They won the midfield battle, which is where we won it last time when we won at their ground. Today it was their turn.
“We were lucky to go 0-1 down at half time, they had so many chances. In the second half, I’m sure Corio will agree, we had enough chances to win 2-3 but we didn’t take them.”
With just five games remaining, next week’s clash against second-placed Hoppers Crossing at Hume Reserve now takes on epic significance for Corio in its promotion hunt.