The Ramon Falzon era gets underway this Saturday afternoon, when Green Gully SC head to Pettys Reserve to take on Manningham United.
It’s been a busy week for Gully, who announced the appointment of Falzon as new boss on Tuesday, after parting ways with former coach Stephen Downes following their Dockerty Cup exit at the hands of St Albans last week.
Gully were in action on the weekend, surrendering an early one goal lead courtesy of yet another goal from Shifa Ahmed, to lose 2-1 against Hume City.
Falzon takes over a Gully side that sit in 10th spot on the ladder, and with a big task ahead of them to get back into finals contention.
Ahead of this round. Gully sits 12 points adrift of sixth placed Port Melbourne Sharks.
His first test comes against 12th-placed Manningham, who have lost their last six matches and are in the midst of trying to stave off relegation in their first season in Victoria’s top flight.
Manningham fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve last Saturday, and sit only three points clear of bottom placed Moreland City.
Despite their recent struggles, Manningham possess a lot of quality in attack, spearheaded by the likes of Christos Theodorakopoulos and Ben Everson, who have six and five goals apiece this season.
The two sides met earlier this year at Green Gully Reserve, which Gully won 4-1 thanks to goals from Taylor Schrijvers, Lucas Derrick, Josh Hope and Luca Tevere.
Gully will be without both Tevere and Jamie Latham after they were sent off against Hume.
Kick-off is at 3 PM, with the Under 23s taking the field at 12:45 PM.
Gully’s Under 23s fell to a 3-2 defeat against Hume last week, but remain top of the ladder heading into this weekend, while Manningham sit in 10th following a 1-0 win over Thunder.
A reminder that the Soccer Supporter Bus will be running on Saturday, leaving Green Gully Reserve at 1:30 PM. To book your place call the club on 9366 6697 between 9am and 5pm by Wednesday.
