CORIO LETS VICTORY SLIP AWAY
SURF Coast travelled to Laverton Park hoping to put an end to its miserable run of bad form that BARWON found the opener in the 30th minute but conceded five minutes later from a goalmouth scramble to throw away what would have been its maiden State League 5 win against West Point at Tom Roberts Reserve. Joshua Goonan was the scorer of Barwon’s lone goal in an open game that could have gone either way. “We played well in the first half then faded in the second, but I’m happy with a point away from home against a very good West Point team,” Barwon coach Dale Harris said. CORIO let a gilt-edged opportunity to jump to equal top spot on the ladder slip away, following a late defensive error that resulted in an unsatisfying 1-1 draw against bottom side Diamond Valley United at Hume Reserve.
In the end, it was the same old story for the home side. Dominating overall possession and the majority of play in their attacking third, before the simplest of defensive errors under no pressure proved costly — and ultimately Corio walked away without the full bounty it so richly deserved.
Lachie McGrath culminated a brilliant opening half with the game’s first goal in the penultimate minute of regulation time, allowing the Eagles to go into the sheds 1-0 up.
Unfortunately, despite clearly dominating proceedings, it was just minutes to go before a goalkeeping error by the normally reliable Rick Apostolakis was to prove decisive for the outcome of the Round 5 clash.
A disappointed Corio coach Ante Didulica lamented what could have been.
“Today, we dominated but (we) just couldn’t put the second goal away to seal the result. In the end, it was a goalkeeping error late in the game that cost us dearly and the rest, as they say, is history,” he said.
The heartbreaking result culminated an emotion-charged week at the Bell Park-based club, fol- lowing the sudden passing of Hilton Davis, who was a devoted club volunteer and father of senior team defender Jackson.
Prior to kick-off, a minute’s silence was held for Hilton and the pumped up locals came out hungry to get a result in honour of their courageous teammate who opted to play a full game. Afterwards, Corio president Mario Gregorio paid homage to what had been an extremely difficult week.
“It was a very emotional week for all of us, but particularly for our player Jackson Davis, who is well respected by the club. Hilton was not only a diehard supporter but also a club volunteer who videotaped each game, which was invaluable to our coaching staff,” he said.
“Hilton will be sadly missed by the club, in more ways than one.”
WEST POINT 1 BARWON 1