North Geelong take big leap away from possible relegation after 1-0 win over Moreland City

The Warriors have taken a giant stride towards avoiding relegation in NPL Victoria while a late equaliser spoiled the party for Geelong.

North Geelong took a giant leap towards survival in the state’s elite competition, after overcoming fellow strugglers Moreland City 1-0 in a tightly-fought battle at Elcho Park.

It was the Warriors’ second win in consecutive NPL Victoria league fixtures and saw the previously bottom placed outfit leapfrog Moreland into third last spot, away from the relegation zone.

The important Round 19 clash was played in difficult conditions on Saturday with blustery winds playing havoc with both sides throughout the 90 minutes.

However, it was the home side which got off to a dream start when teenage striker Luka Jurkovic slotted the ball home from an impossibly acute angle — his first of the season.

With the departure earlier in the week of regular starter Marvin Brauweiller, back to his old club Geelong SC in the NPL3 Victoria competition, under-21 midfield utility Jamie Alexander made his senior debut.

Luka Jurkovic, fighting for the ball against Port Melbourne’s Joshua Wilkins, earlier in the year, scored his first goal for North Geelong. Picture: Mark Wilson

The former Bellarine Sharks junior impressed, playing on both wings, and formed an industrious midfield collective along with fellow winger Lachlan McGrath and central midfielders Ibrahim Mohamed, Nikola Jurkovic and captain Ryan Opperman.

The Warriors absorbed everything that was thrown at them in the second half and hung on for a significant win which could be season-defining with just seven matches remaining.

Post-game, teenage debutante Alexander was thrilled with the experience.

“I was very excited to be playing today,” Alexander said.

“I was glad that I was able to prove to both myself, and to everybody, that I deserved to be in the seniors.”

Warriors captain Ryan Opperman. Picture: Mark Wilson

Meanwhile, down the road at Stead Park, Brauweiller celebrated his return to the Lions’ den by scoring a brace in his side’s thrilling yet heartbreaking 4-4 draw with Box Hill United in NPL3 Victoria.

However, it was a last minute equaliser which robbed Geelong of three much-needed points and an opportunity to distance itself from the relegation zone.

After going down 2-0 early in the piece, the Lions rebounded to head into the break at 2-2, with goals from captain Anthony Trajkoski and debutante Tarek Atta.

In the second half, Brauweiller hit the back of the net on two occasions before the fateful equaliser.

Geelong football director Steve Ginoski was gutted with the result, despite the positives of blooding Atta and Jarime Radio from Altona City.

“The draw feels like a loss in the end,” Ginoski said.

“It was a night of mixed emotions. At one stage late in the game we were jubilant and then in the end disappointed.

“However, we take many positives into next week.”

Originally published as North Geelong take big leap away from possible relegation after 1-0 win over Moreland City