The 56th edition of the Maltese Derby didn’t bring Green Gully the win they’ve been craving – but it did signal progress. The side’s first clean sheet of the year, and a hard-fought point as reward for what Andy Vargas and his team have been building over the month of May.
The result was not the only positive. Michael Weier started his first game since Round 6, and provided vocal leadership behind the defence. Home-grown junior Samuel Pisani continues to impress. And Ashton Ahluwalia, whose time at Gully has been so blighted by injuries, got through 88 minutes in just his second start of the year.
Round 16 brings Avondale to Green Gully Reserve under the lights. You could have hardly scripted a more pointed test if you tried.
The reverse fixture ended 5-0 to Avondale at Avenger Park, and represented the Cavaliers’ lowest ebb in a difficult season. Now, with former Avondale assistant Vargas at the helm, Gully look to prove a point.
The Avengers arrive off the back of successive 4-0 wins, over a weakened South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens. Star man Bruno Fornaroli’s hat trick against Bentleigh means the Uruguayan now leads the Golden Boot race outright, with 13 goals in 15 appearances.
Avondale are fourth, just five points off the lead, and chasing silverware. Gully remain 11 points adrift of safety. But the form book was against Gully last year in this very fixture – and the Cavaliers produced their best showing of the season in a shock 5-2 win.
With a newfound resilience and confidence, Gully will believe they can spring another upset.
7:30pm, Friday night. Bring the passion.
Go Gully!
