By Rory Flanagan.

The Oakleigh Cannons have maintained their unbeaten start to the 2011 Alanic Victorian Premier League season at the expense of the Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex with a 3-1 victory on Friday night.

Kile Kennedy was in goal for the Greens in place of the suspended Peter Gavalas, while Aron Wilford had the Captain’s armband. Oakleigh named an unchanged starting line up from their clash with VTC on Monday night.

Dane Milovanovic had the first opportunity of the match. Collecting James Robinson’s diagonal ball, he struck an effort at goal from 14 yards but was denied by Kile Kennedy who advanced early off his line to close down the angle.

One of Oakleigh’s best performers to date, Anthony (Brian) Bran nearly put his side behind ten minutes in after misjudging and heading the ball against his own post.

After getting on the score-sheet with a free kick against the White Eagles, Frankie Lagana opened the scoring in the same fashion. From 35 yards out, he lofted a high ball at goal which Kennedy completely misjudged and it sailed straight over him into the top corner.

Lagana was a man on fire and with 26 minutes played, he dazzled his way down the right wing before squaring to Ricky Diaco who slotted home his first goal of the campaign with a composed finish past Kennedy.

With the confidence of three goals in two games, Lagana again tried his luck with a free kick from distance but fired wide of the far post.
Bentleigh’s tenacious midfield was being forced to chase the ball around the park as Oakleigh looked sharp and assured in possession.

With almost a carbon copy of their second goal, the Cannons nearly increased their lead. Hatzikostas nut-megged his way toward the by-line and hit a low cross to Diaco, but the big man mis-kicked and the chance was gone.

Struggling to manufacture opportunities, the Greens came close through Stephen Downes. Scott Bulloch whipped in a dangerous cross towards the penalty spot which Downes controlled well on the bounce. He waited for his defender to commit to one side, before cracking an effort at the near post which drew a strong save from Peter Zois.

As the first half drew to a close, Stephen Hatzikostas optimistically launched a shot from distance but couldn’t find the right direction and sent it high and wide.

Bentleigh must have had a special flavour for their half time drinks as they equalised in the opening play from kick off. Wayne Wallace surged into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Scott Bulloch who was on hand to the slot the ball past Zois’ despairing dive.

The same three players were involved in the next noteworthy passage of play, Zois with a superb double save to deny first Scott Bulloch, and then Wayne Wallace’s follow-up.

Ari Drakos replaced Hatzikostas in the 63rd minute and slotted in at his preferred left back position with Milovanovic moving into the midfield as Arthur Papas looked to sure up the defence.

Frankie Lagana again threatened from distance, rifling an effort towards the top corner only for Kile Kennedy to acrobatically tip the ball behind.

Wayne Wallace has become an integral part of the Greens line-up already this season. Always behind the ball when in defence and the first to push forward in attack, he is the classic box to box midfielder and if not for his efforts, Bentleigh would have not been able to battle their way back into the contest.

For all their pressure in the second half, Bentleigh were unable to find an equaliser. Aron Wilford surprised everyone when he swiftly but casually stepped up and drilled a low free kick agonisingly wide of the upright while the Oakleigh defence were still organising themselves.

On as a substitute, veteran Billy Damianos chipped a ball up to Milovanovic who audaciously attempted a Paul Scholes-esque volley but sent it miles wide of the target.

With Bentleigh desperately pressing forward and pushing up in search of an equaliser, Oakleigh sealed the win with the last play of the game. Unmarked Billy Damianos was left with a simple tap in to wrap up all three points for the visitors.

After the match, the Cannons Frankie Lagana commented on his side’s unbeaten start to the season “the squad only came together two weeks ago really, before the season, so it’s great to get the wins as it helps team camaraderie.” He added “Oakleigh have been on top halfway through the season and dropped off for the last three years so we need to keep going.”

Oakleigh take on South Melbourne on Friday night in what shapes to be a massive clash, while Bentleigh travel to Knights Stadium to take on the Melbourne Knights.

Bentleigh Greens: Kile KENNEDY (GK), Thomas MATHEWS, Stephen DOWNES, Steve LAURIE, Ryan DAVIDSON, Wayne WALLACE, Sean McILLROY, Hayden DOYLE, Scott BULLOCH (Adam FADLJEVIC 72’), Aron WILFORD (C), Jack WEBSTER.
Unused Subs: Luke GAVALAS, Craig SMART, James McGARRY, Declan KEOGH.

Yellow Cards: Davidson 52’, Laurie 86’.

Goals: Bulloch 46’.

Oakleigh Cannons: Peter ZOIS (C, GK), Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, James CUMMING, Anthony BRAN, Luke WALKER, Frankie LAGANA, James ROBINSON, Stephen HATZIKOSTAS (Aristidis DRAKOS 63’), Dane MILOVANOVIC, Bonel OBRADOVIC Craig GOODWIN, Ricky DIACO (Bill DAMIANOS 74’). Unused Subs: Daniel NEESHAM, Melvin BECKET.

Yellow Cards: Milovanovic 86’ Goodwin 90+3’.

Goals: Lagana 15’, Diaco 26’, Damianos 90+4’.