James Blackburn (centre) of Geelong Rangers in action in the Goforyourlife Cup. Photo: Roy Hay
Geelong Rangers won the Goforyourlife Cup by a single goal against Surfcoast on Sunday night. It was the first time that Rangers had triumphed in a Geelong pre-season tournament since 1987 and James Blackburn’s superb strike in the 57th minute conjured up memories of Willy Muir’s equally spectacular winner all those years ago. Rangers hit the woodwork in the first minute and twice more in the second half through Jonathan Ryan and Troy Hardy and it looked as if the Provisional League team would manage to deny its State League Division Two opponent. Then deep in defence Steven Tillinger launched a long ball forward. Blackburn held it up, beat his man and found enough space to fire a shot into the top corner of Barry Schroeter’s goal. The young keeper had no chance with that one. Ian Crane, Rorie Flanagan and James Brooks worked their socks off for Surfcoast, but Rangers had most of the possession and its game only broke down in front of goal.
In the third place match, Geelong overcame Corio by a goal to nil. Zoran Rstevski was brought down in the last minute of the first half and Nick Bosevski scored from the penalty spot. Bosevski had played as sweeper all through the tournament, but for this game he was moved into attack and he came closest to adding to Geelong’s lead with a header which just skimmed the bar from a corner by Chris Balaburova.