EIGHTH-PLACED Swan Hill were full of confidence but flat out of luck against sixth-placed Golden City at Ken Harrison Reserve on Sunday.
While Swan Hill had control of the first quarter, Golden City took over for much of the game — the Swans had many chances to score, but were not capitalising, while the visitors needed only a few shots at goal to record a 4-1 win.
The home side started well, and were rewarded just five minutes in, when Swan Matt Smith headed in a long throw-in from Brent Mitchell to score.
Despite little field advantage or possession, Golden City scored at 16 minutes when their corner — headed twice by the Swans — eventually found a striker and caught two lucky deflections on its way to the back of the net.
Swan Tim Van der Veen was unlucky to concede a soft penalty at 32 minutes, which Golden City rammed home.
Then, less than a minute before half time, some deft manoeuvres from Josh Claney shrugged off Swan Hill defenders to score.
The second half was more even, with lots of good shots from both sides — some pearlers from Swan Matt Grierson — in increasingly wet conditions.
But the visitors caught a lucky break when what looked to be a cross sailed past all players, catching enough of the far left post to give Golden City’s fourth.
For division two and women’s match reviews see Wednesday’s edition of The Guardian (May 15, 2013).
