CORIO FUMING OVER ERRORS
CORIO SC fought out a tough 2-2 draw with Whittlesea United in an entertaining third-versus-first duel at Hume Reserve, in a game that quite easily could have ended with the home side capturing all three points.
Despite the impressive result against the undefeated State League 2 table toppers, it was a case of two points lost as opposed to one gained, with both of Whittlesea’s goals coming from goalkeeping errors.
The sentiment was echoed after the game by frustrated Corio coach Ante Didulica.
“I’m not happy, it was certainly the game that got away,” Didulica said.
“When you make two mistakes like that — from a goalkeeping point of view — you can’t expect anything more.
“When you are playing against the best, you’ve got to make sure you don’t make any stupid errors. We made those errors today and that cost us in the end. That’s what happens.”
It was the home side that came out all guns blazing in the early stages of the contest, as the competition frontrunners opted to start with a cautious five-man backline.
After a period of total dominance, Corio took the lead on 37 minutes through speedy winger Lachlan McGrath, whose low grasscutter whizzed past the Whittlesea goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, the lead only lasted seven minutes with the visitors equalising a minute before halftime after Corio goalkeeper Rick Apostalikos fumbled a high ball through his hands and the ball bounced heartbreakingly over the goal line.
Whittlesea took the lead in the 70th minute, with an out of position Apostalikos providing the Whittlesea players an open avenue to goal. Fortunately, though, once again it didn’t take too long for the equaliser.
Hardworking midfielder Darcy Rapa latched onto a long ball from a set piece and managed to get his outstretched toe onto the ball and poke it past the advancing Whittlesea goalkeeper to rescue the outcome of the game for the Eagles.
With second-placed Brimbank also held to a 2-2 draw by Mill Park, a win would have seen Corio jump to outright second. The draw, however, keeps Corio in third on the same points as the Stallions but with an inferior goal difference.
Corio makes the short trip to Myers Reserve this Saturday to tackle Geelong Rangers in the massive local derby.