Pascoe Vale went within a whisker of upsetting A-League newcomers Melbourne Heart in front of a healthy crowd at Hosken Reserve on Wednesday March 6. The much anticipated exhibition match ended 2-2 after Heart received an early scare from a more than competitive Vale's outfit.
The Vale's took the lead just after half time through Luca Santilli, before Heart-skipper Matt Thompson converted a penalty to draw the visitors level, then was involved again to help Heart into the lead, only to be denied at the end by a Santilli diving header.
Fielding a side which included four of its usual starting eleven along with two young Socceroos, the Heart dominate a Vale's side who took a while to adapt to the pace and tenacity of the A-league outfit. Melbourne enjoyed the share of possession with skipper Matt Thompson and Rutger Worm controlling the midfield, whilst young guns Kliment Taseski and Kamahl Ibrahim used the wide spaces to full effect. Several trialists were looking to impress Heart-coach John van't Schip as he prepares his club for their 2011/12 campaign.
Attacking midfielder Nick Kalmar was busy early on, drawing a save from Pascoe Vale's new signing Codey Larkin, who came to the club during the pre-season.
The Vale's were put to the test in the first half, notably through the wide spaces where Frank Serratore and Evan Karavitis both had their work cut out trying to contain Taseski and Ibrahim, whilst at the other end, Michael Beauchamp lead a composed back four who found the going a little easier than usual.
On the half hour mark, Aziz Behich slotted home what appeared to be the opening goal after some creative work from the Heart midfield, but was flagged for offside. Shortly after, Liam Flynn showed why he is Pascoe Vale's reigning best and fairest winner by leaving ex-Socceroo Beauchamp for dead, only to have his cut back to Santilli cut off by a scrambling Heart defence.
By now the Vale's had adapted to the games tempo and were starting to enjoy possession themselves. Gun-recruit Greg Lombardo and the hard-working Resit Culculoglu ensured that Worm and Thompson did not have it all their way.
Just before half time and Pascoe Vale almost took the lead. A deep corner resulted in a goal-bound header, which was only cleared as far as Serratore, who with his left-foot struck venomously towards goal, only to be denied by the post. The crowd was abuzz and the small contingent of Yarrasider's breathed a sigh of relief as the referee blew for half time shortly after.
Only 2 minutes into the second half and Pascoe Vale took the lead. Flynn found Marco Santilli with a sliding pass who instinctively found his brother Luca with a precise cut back, which he delightfully slotted home with his left foot. In typical Santilli fashion, he proceeded to celebrate with the ecstatic home crowd.
Pascoe Vale began to enjoy a spell of possession and opportunity. Only several minutes later, Santilli could have had his second. In what was almost an identical build-up, Marco found brother Luca unmarked at 6-yards, who sent a shot on goal only to be saved by the shoulder of a lunging Heart keeper.
10 minutes later and Heart drew level. Worm found himself onside and one-on-one with Larkin, who was unsuccessful in trying to sweep the ball from underneath the Dutchman's feet, penalty to Heart. Up stepped Thompson who sent Cody the wrong way to draw Heart level.
5 minutes later and Santilli looked to have his second. The ever-creative Lombardo found the livewire with a stunning lofted delivery which Santilli brought down with his chest, then delightfully lobbed the on-rushing keeper into an empty net. After consulting with the linesman, the referee disallowed the goal as Santilli was deemed to bring the ball down with his arm. Scores remained level.
If that was not heart breaking enough for the home side, a second Heart goal 15 minutes from time sure was. Some clever build up work found Kalmar on-side who unselfishly cut back for a teammate to roll home into an empty net. The home faithful came to the realisation that this much anticipated fixture was a foregone conclusion.
Pascoe Vale coach George Karkaletsis swung the changes, bringing on young-guns Adrian Talarico and Andrew Le Page, along with seasoned veterans Daniel and Steven Tribuzio to give them a taste of what football at the professional level is all about.
5 minutes from time and Le Page almost equalised. The Under-20 Champions League Player of the Tournament found himself in space at the edge of the area, and with a stinging shot he forced a great save from a diving Heart keeper.
Pascoe Vale were not to be denied, drawing level with the last play of the game. Le Page was involved once again down the right when he sent a curling cross for Santilli, whose diving header was on target and too strong for Melbourne's keeper to deny. Santilli's second capped off a wonderful spectacle and underlined the 23 year-old's endless talent.
2-2 it finished, much to the delight of the home crowd who were rewarded for their bravery on a wet Melbourne night with some eye-catching football from both sides. A post-match function was held with all players and coaches in attendance.
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