AIS lose to Fawkner

Neil Zimmerman sent this report through from a rain-swept Melbourne

A dogged performance by Fawkner saw them run out 1-0 winners over the AIS at a rain soaked CB Smith Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

The sun broke through just after the commencement of play making the conditions a little more bearable for those out on a pitch that had been heavily affected by overnight and early morning rain.

The balance of play was fairly even throughout the early stages of the match although both teams were struggling to string a series of passes together and most of the play took place in the sodden midfield.

With just over twenty minutes on the clock, the visitors created the first real moment of danger as Richard Greer hit the upright after getting on the end of a well weighted Kofi Danning cross.

Fawkner struggled to clear the resulting loose ball and the AIS' Bonel Obradovic drove the ball back into the area only to see it deflected out for a corner. The visitors made vehement claims for a penalty as the ball appeared to strike the arm of a Fawkner player. Unfortunately for the visitors the referee waved their claims away.

Just when it looked like the team from the Institute were starting to get on top, Fawkner captain Joseph Youssef rose the highest to head home from a Ricky Chilico corner to put the home side ahead.

Play was evenly balanced for the remained of the half as both teams created little in the way of goal scoring opportunities.

On the stroke of half time the home side thought they had doubled their lead as Chris Greechan found the back of the net after getting on the end of another Chilico cross, only to see the linesman's flag raised for offside.

After a fairly stagnant start to the beginning of the second half the AIS started to impose themselves on the game and created a number of chances with Obradovic, Danning and Daniel Taylor all spurning excellent opportunities to level the scores.

With just over ten minutes remaining Youssef almost got his second goal of the match as he dispossessed Rhyan Grant in his own penalty area. Thankfully for the visitors, their captain Dane Milovanovic was there to save the day as he slid in to deflect Youssef's low drive away for a corner.

At this stage the AIS were starting to show their frustration at not being able to find the back of the net as they pushed for an equaliser.

Again late on Obradovic and Taylor both spurned golden opportunities to equalise as a determined Fawkner held on for an unlikely three points.

Next week Fawkner pay a visit to BT Connor Reserve to take on a resurgent Preston whilst the AIS will host title contenders Altona Magic in Canberra.