Green Gully SC will look to bolster their chances of making the top six, when they host fellow finals contender Dandenong City on Saturday afternoon at Green Gully Reserve.
Gully were seconds away from an important three points against Dandenong Thunder last week after Adolph Koudakpo opened the scoring for the visitors, before conceding a last gasp equaliser from goalkeeper Pierce Clark at George Andrews Reserve.
It means Gully sit six points behind sixth placed Port Melbourne Sharks in the race for a finals berth with six games remaining in the regular season.
However, Gully have been much improved in recent weeks under new coach Ramon Falzon, going unbeaten in his five games in charge, including wins at home against Oakleigh Cannons and Heidelberg United.
Their next test comes against one of the myriad of sides battling for a finals spot in Dandy, who sit in seventh on the ladder and only two points behind the Sharks.
Dandy returned to the winners list with a thumping 7-1 win at home against Moreland City last Friday night.
Nick Tolios’ side were down early in the contest, before an incredible turnaround following Jose Sanz’ opener. Kenny Athiu and Tim Atherinos both fired home a brace, while Valli Cesnik, Will Bower and an own-goal from Curtis Miley rounded out the scorers.
Athiu and Atherinos have been the danger players up front for Dandy this season, scoring eight and seven goals respectively this season.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier this campaign, where Gully once again surrendered their lead late in the contest. Mo Adam gave Gully the lead, before Tom Giannokopoulos fired home a late equaliser to salvage a point at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex.
Gully, however, would go in confident of coming away with three points, having gone unbeaten in their last five against Hajduk.
Kick-off is at 1 PM, with the Under 23s in action shortly after at 3:30 PM.
The Under 23s will be looking to extend their lead atop the standings this weekend, sitting six points clear of second placed South Melbourne after a 4-0 win over Thunder. Dandy, meanwhile, sit third, five points behind Hellas after a 2-2 draw with Moreland City.
