AN unkind bounce denied Melton Phoenix the three points as Melbourne Tornado left MacPherson Park with a 2-2 draw in FFV provisional league 3 north-west on Saturday.
Michael Kapiris was seemingly through on goal with three minutes to go after running onto a lob that had bettered the Tornado keeper, only for the bounce to rear up and hit him in the hand.
The referee called handball and the chance to separate the teams was gone, leaving Melton to settle for a draw in Danny Gnjidic’s first league game in charge.
The Phoenix had earlier cancelled out two Tornado leads via goals to David Valenzuela and Chris Briggs.
“I think there was maybe an element of first-round nerves and we didn’t play to our full potential,” Gjnidic said.
“Tornado came down from provy 2 and are quite experienced. We’ve still got a young team and the core of the squad that finished 10th last season.
“Things have been going well in the pre-season and there’s a bit of a positive vibe around, with expectations that some of the players aren’t used to.”
Valenzuela scored Melton’s first equaliser from the penalty spot just before half-time after a push in the penalty area. Tornado had earlier taken the lead from a goal-mouth scramble.
The Flemington-based team then led again early in the second half from a free kick, before Chris Briggs headed in David Valenzuela’s cross with 20 minutes to go.
Before Briggs’s equaliser, Jason Cossai had Melton’s best chance but shot wide from a cut-back.
“It was a warm day, pretty windy and it didn’t suit us particularly well. We took a while to adjust,” Gnjidic said.
“I thought we were in better condition and would come home strong. There’s a lack of experience in the team and a lack of belief at times and that was probably the reason we didn’t get over the line.
“Credit to Tornado. They were a well-organised team with some good players.”
Melton’s next match is Friday, April 13, at Moreland Wolves; kick-off is at 8.30pm.
