Recap

The first match of Round Seven saw a top of the table clash as third placed Hume took on league leaders Balwyn. Balwyn were only first in front of Pascoe Vale on goal difference and only two points in front of Hume, so this game was a six point, must win game for both sides. As they tend to do in the majority of their matches, Balwyn started by dominating possession as Hume looked to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter. Balwyn’s possession soon turned into chances as their quick ball movement proved difficult to deal with for Hume. Eventually they broke through when target Camilo Marin was found in the area and he finished from close range. Hume were by no means being dominated, with their fair share of chances coming throughout the half, but Balwyn’s stalwart in goals, Steven Castavan was up to the task. With a few minutes remaining in the half Balwyn broke through again, star man Robert Armellini being found at the back post were he slotted home. Hume could not break through for the remainder of the half as the score remained at 0-2 to Balwyn.

The second half was an intense and heated affair as both teams stepped it up a gear in search of the precious three points. As things heated up as the half went on, both teams started to accumulate silly fouls, and eventually Balwyn was penalised for committing their sixth with a 10 metre penalty being awarded to Hume. Up stepped captain Nejdett Sahin who finished clinically past Omin Abdollahi in the Balwyn goal. As Hume continued to chase the game, they too committed too many fouls and soon their sixth foul was also met with a 10 metre penalty. Up stepped Armellini who expertly whipped his shot into the top left corner. With minutes remaining, Moe Matar would drill home a low effort from the left side to keep his team in it, but Balwyn wold hold on for the last few minutes to wrap up an important three points.

Man of the Match: Robert Armellini (FC Balwyn)