NORTH BREAKS STREAK
CORIO recorded a vital 2-0 win against an injury-depleted Westgate in wet and wintry conditions at Hume Reserve on Saturday.
The win allowed the Eagles, who have a game in hand, to keep to within two points of State League 2 leader Hoppers Crossing, who was lucky to come away with a 1-0 win against Western Suburbs.
Corio managed to secure the victory over fellow promotion contenders Westgate without the services of key defenders Jackson Davis and Matt Pilven.
Despite the absence, Corio’s defensive back four were brilliant, mainly Billy Argyros who was playing at right full back and Alessandro Stefano at left full back.
They were ably assisted by Callum Darcy and Carl Ferguson, with the disciplined quartet not giving the Westgate attackers any chance of creating a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Recent signing Josh Talev made it two goals in consecutive weeks after finding the back of the net in the 28th minute with a thunderbolt for the game’s opener, after some top lead-up work from Stefano.
English import Curtis Bateson doubled Corio’s advantage just before halftime when his deflected shot snuck into the corner of the net.
The second half was a grind for the home side, despite the fact the Eagles never looked in serious trouble at any stage.
They even could have scored another couple of goals but failed to capitalise on their few chances.
Nonetheless, in the context of such a tight State League 2 season, it was a valuable win.
Billy Argyros was by far the best on the ground with a brilliant performance that kept Westgate quiet on the flanks, while Englishman MJ Monaghan and Canadian Tyrin Hutchings continued their good form of late.
Corio coach Ante Didulica kept his comments short after the match, fully aware a lot of work was still needed in the remaining seven games.
“It was a great team performance. The team was very well drilled and extremely well structured,” he said.
Corio hosts fourth-placed Epping City in Round 16 next Saturday in what is shaping up as another do-or-die clash.