WARRIORS GET WIN
NORTH Geelong and Geelong both advanced through to the next round of the nationwide FFA Cup competition, but not before being stretched by lower-league opposition on Thursday night.
The Warriors narrowly defeated State League 1 outfit Richmond SC, with a 43rd-minute goal by Jamie Noggler proving the only difference in a tightly fought tussle at Elcho Park.
The game was highlighted by the 85th-minute substitute appearance of 16-year-old Luka Skoko, the son of former Socceroo great and current North Geelong football operations director Josip Skoko.
“When I first came on, the pace of the game wasn’t what it was at the start, but the intensity was still pretty full on. Richmond wasn’t about to give up that easily,” the teenage prodigy said.
In the short space of time he spent on the pitch, Skoko showed enough promise to suggest he will be experiencing regular senior football at Elcho Park in the not too distant future.
“To be honest, I was just happy to be named on the bench but coming on was a huge bonus,” he said.
DOWN the road at Stead Park, fellow NPL2 side Geelong went into the clash with Essendon United with nearly a full-strength team, making just one change to the starting line-up that defeated Ballarat City 3-2 last weekend.
Despite being three competition rungs above its opponent, however, the game was forced into extra time after the State League 3 minnows held the Lions to a frustrating 1-1 draw.
Melvin Becket gave the home side the lead at 10 minutes before the defensive-minded visitors equalised in the 35th minute.
Following a scoreless first period of extra time, striker Denis Daluri gave the Lions the lead in the 109th minute, before full back Mitchell John sealed the victory four minutes later.
AT Hume Reserve in Bell Park, Corio bombed out of the knockout competition losing 1-4 to Langwarrin.
After the highly-fancied NPL2 visitors took the lead at 21 minutes, Corio’s Alessandro Stefano found the equaliser in the 50th minute.
But goals by Covarrubias, Stirton and Kuol in the 60th, 61st and 66th minutes killed of any hope of the Eagles advancing to Round 6 of the FFA Cup.