Churchill Reserve is just a stone’s throw from Green Gully, less than a kilometre down the road. This season, the trip to face local rivals St Albans Dinamo on Friday night is imbued with even more significance than usual.
As the Cavaliers battle desperately to secure their first win of the season, they can look to 2025, in the corresponding fixture at this very venue, for inspiration. At 1-1, down to 10 men after losing leader Matty Crooks to a second yellow card on 65 minutes, Dinamo were pressing for a late winner. Enter, Josh Hope.
In the 82nd minute, with the game on the line, goalkeeper Liam Driscoll launches a hopeful long punt to the far-left corner of the pitch. With Hope chasing what appears to be no more than a lost cause, Dinamo fullback James Xydias stutters underneath the high ball, and Hope spots his opening. With three deft touches, he scampers around the outside of Xydias, and makes his move towards goal. The defender attempts to bring him down just outside the area. Hope stumbles, but keeps his feet.
Midfielder Joey Colina races back to the scene to snuff out the opportunity, and centre back Gideon Arok stands guard. Instead, Hope uses Colina’s momentum against him, spinning infield in the manner Zinedine Zidane made famous. Arok moves to block the shot. Hope is too quick. Time seems to slow down as the ball arcs high across Jacson Riley’s goal, and curls spectacularly into the top-right corner of the net. Cue, Gully delirium.
Eight points from safety, with nine goals conceded in their last two fixtures, Gully will have to channel every ounce of the grit, determination, and technical quality that characterised last season’s win at Fox Street.
St Albans have endured a rollercoaster season to date: irresistible one week, abject the next. Their 4-0 defeat to South Melbourne in Round 10 highlighted some obvious vulnerabilities. The 4-2 triumph over Bentleigh last week showed Cam Watson’s side at their impressive best.
The attacking threats are numerous. Gully will have to apply pressure to the talented Anthony Leban in midfield, and cut off his passing range. Joey Monek’s dangerous left boot is capable of deciding games. And in Nicholas Koek, Dinamo have a bustling, energetic forward who is quickly coming into his own as a senior player.
However, with 23 goals conceded this season, St Albans tend to leak more than they score. Andy Vargas’ side will need to defend as a unit, force turnovers, and hit quickly in transition. Dinamo are yet to string together consecutive wins this season. If Gully can catch them on the downswing, there will be an opportunity.
