Round 21 - 13 February, 2000

Edensor Park, Sydney

Sydney United 0 Gippsland Falcons 1 (MacNicol 13 min)

An inspired Bojo Jevdjevic in goals for the Gippsland Falcons ensured a ten man Falcons returned from Sydney with three valuable points. In his best match to date for the Falcons, Bojo flung himself at everything in a top class display.

In a match the Falcons needed to win to regain lost confidence and keep in touch with the middle of the table, a classy first half display had the Falcons well on top until Clayton Bell was sent off in the 51 minute for a high challenge. United threw everything they had at the Falcons, but disciplined defending and world class goal keeping ensured a spirited Falcons team returned to the winners circle.

In a superb midfield performance, Andy Vargas dominated the first half and constantly made penetrating runs from deep that had the United defence scrambling. It was from one such run that Vargas created the goal that would seal the match for the Falcons. In the 13 minute, Vargas collected the ball deep, beat three United players in a forty metre run and played Brian MacNicol through with a delicate pass one –on-one with the keeper. MacNicol calmly slotted home his sixth goal of the season.

The first half belonged to the Falcons with Vargas, Bell and Hutchinson dominating midfield battles. The defence was also well on top, feeding Puca and Marcina on the flanks to keep United on the back foot. Strikes by Mandic, Vargas and MacNicol all went close but the score remained at 1-0.

With the sending off of Bell early in the second half, the Falcons to their credit regrouped to play out a disciplined defensive game lead by their captain courageous Mehmet Durakovic. The defensive line of Gotis, Savage, Durakovic and Jevdjevic ensured that United would have a frustrating afternoon.

The victory puts Falcons in touch with the middle of the table and high in confidence for their big home match against traditional rivals South Melbourne next Saturday.

Gippsland Falcons

Jevdjevic – Savage – Gotis – Durakovic – Marcina – Puca - Vargas – Bell (sent-off 51 min) – Hutchinson – Mandic - MacNicol ; Subs: Robertson, Kakos, Nilo

Sydney United

Tolios. – Savocca – Jurilj – Arrarte – Jerman – Moric.A. – Pondeljak – Maric – Genc – Moric.J. – Usljebrka ; Subs: Rastell, Bosevski, Deak

Votes: 3 Jevdjevic (Gippsland Falcons); 2 Vargas (Gippsland Falcons);1 Durakovic (Gippsland Falcons)