The Cavaliers return home to Green Gully Reserve on Friday night as they look to bounce back with a win against 9th-placed Dandenong City.
The narrow defeat to Port Melbourne and St Albans’ surprise win over South Melbourne leaves Gully in 13th place, with two points from their opening four games of the year. However, the Cavaliers remain unbeaten at home, recording 1-1 draws with Oakleigh and Hume City.
Gully will also be looking to avenge last season’s defeat to Hajduk in Keilor Downs, going down 3-2 despite an incredible individual goal from Gianluca Iannucci. Jamie Latham also hit the scoreboard for Ajax that day but will be sporting different colours this time after signing for City in the offseason.
The visitors are similarly without a win through four games but have repeatedly clawed their way back from deficits to record hard-fought draws. Hajduk trailed three times at home to St Albans, but two well-taken goals from Will Bower and a Kenny Athiu penalty were enough to secure a point.
Nick Tolios’ side also trailed 1-0 against Preston Lions, and 2-1 in the Dandenong Derby, with both games finishing 2-2, but a disappointing 3-1 reversal at home to Hume City in Round 4 will be cause for concern. Eight goals scored and 10 conceded gives Dandy City both the second-most prolific attack and second-most porous defence in the competition.
Former Gully midfielder George Lambadaridis has hit goalscoring form, equalising against Thunder with a clutch 98th-minute header before opening the scoring against Hume with a stunning free kick.
In contrast, David Chick’s men will be looking to amend their struggles in attack but boast the fifth-best backline in the competition, shipping just five goals so far. Ajax will be sweating on the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Liam Driscoll, who was withdrawn through injury against Port Melbourne, and will be hoping for the return of Kiwi left-back Deklan Wynne.
With the NPL Victoria table so delicately balanced, a win on Friday night could immediately vault the Cavaliers as high as 8th and within touching distance of the top six.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm, and fans are invited to arrive early and enjoy dinner at the Gully Bistro before the action begins.
