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“THE
DEN” – Match Report |
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Game 11 Belrose Wyatt |
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First Grade – Belrose Raided Score: 2-1 Goal Scorer(s):
Nick Sheather ’30, Luke Grigg (OG) ’88 Match Report: The
local derby between the Tigers and Belrose is always a titanic struggle
regardless of where the teams are positioned on the table. With the Tigers at
the top end of the ladder and Belrose near the foot, a comfortable win was
expected, but with the Raiders finding some good form in recent weeks the boys
new it was going to be close. There was plenty of friendly banter in the lead
up to the game and comments like “we don’t care where we finish
on the table as long as we beat Wakehurst”
summed up the attitude of the Belrose camp and the rivalry between the clubs. The game started at a fast pace with both teams not holding
back when challenging for available ball. The Tigers settled down early with
ex-Belrose player, John O’Leary, controlling play in midfield, picking
up plenty of possession, making crucial tackles and distributing well to his
outside halves. Tim Smithies and Dave Sutherland offered well out wide and
opened the game up by hitting the sidelines when we had possession giving
John and Dill plenty of time in the middle to distribute. The Raiders were also playing some enterprising soccer and
looked dangerous down the left hand side with ex-Tiger’s players Luke Grigg and Stu Wastell linking well. This is where they scored their
first and only goal, when a quick break saw an overlapping left back create
the extra man. He then passed to an unmarked Luke Grigg
on the edge of the box. After turning, his subsequent shot was saved but
tapped in by Stu Wastell
after a scramble on the 6 yard line saw our defence failing to clear. It didn’t take long for the equaliser. A few minutes
after the restart a free kick was awarded just outside the left edge of the
Belrose penalty box. Dave Sutherland stepped up and whipped the free kick
towards the near post where Nick Sheather had made a superbly timed run and
expertly glided the ball into the back of the net. The second half saw the introduction of ex-NSL player,
Danny Townsend, up front for the Raiders. Even though he’s had little
game time in the past few years he still caused problems for our defence with
his pace. With Belrose getting more than their fair share of possession the
Tigers found themselves on the back foot and defending for the opening 20
minutes of the second term. Unfortunately we over compensated and sat very
deep in defence allowing the opposition too much space in midfield. The
consequence of this was inevitable with Belrose pushing forward into the
space and taking several long range shots at the Tiger’s goal.
Fortunately Ben Molyneux continued his outstanding
form in goals and made several crucial saves that kept us in the game. It wasn’t all one way as the Belrose players started
to tire. The Tigers started to gain more possession in the last 15-20 minutes
and pushed forward. Tim Sheather had an outside chance after pushing up from
a defensive position and struck a well time left foot volley first-time just
wide of the post. Joerg Dierkes
made a welcome return from the State’s Premier League competition and
showed his skill by laying off a ball to John O’Leary who unfortunately
mistimed his shot and went wide. The game looked destined for a draw but Joerg
popped up at the far post and shot from a tight angle. To Belrose’s
disbelief the ball deflected off ex-Tiger’s player Luke Grigg and wrong footed the keeper to roll into the back
of the net. Belrose deserved better from a tight game but luck was on the
Tiger’s side. J Man of the Match: John O’Leary Reserve Grade – Return of the “Deutschland
Dazzler” Score: 3-1 Goal Scorer(s): Guy
Halpin ’55, Rich Cuthbert ’70 , Jörg Dierkes ’80 Match Report: The
last game of the first round against traditional rivals, Belrose, was vital
to the Reserve’s campaign and would see them remain equal first if
victorious. This would be a tremendous achievement considering the loss of so
many players from last year’s grand-final team. A few of the younger
players who had moved up from last year’s AL/1’s squad continued
their rivalry with Belrose who had been promoted from the same competition. Richard Cuthbert returned to reserve grade for some much needed
fitness and proved his worth by playing well at outside half. Andrew Reid
continued his good form and offered well up front, resulting in plenty of ball to feet and a few half chances that were blocked by
the Belrose defence. A tight battle in the first half produced few chances for
both teams. Belrose did have a good chance from a free kick but Andrew Stahl
was quick on his feet and saved comfortably. We had some nervous moments in
defence with Adrian Ogg getting caught out of
position, leaving too much space in between himself and Lenny at sweeper.
Fortunately the raids didn’t lead to much and
after a very tough first half the teams remain locked at nil-all at the
interval. The Tigers were a different team in the second half and
started to dominate the game. They were rewarded early in the second period
when Guy Halpin received the ball just outside the
box, turned onto his unfavoured left foot and curled a ball into the far
corner giving the stranded keeper no chance. The floodgates opened and up stepped Joerg
the “Deutschland Dazzler”. Not long after coming on as a second
half replacement he broke free down the left side and had only the keeper to
beat. Most players would shoot on site but Joerg
remained calm and bamboozled the Belrose keeper allowing time for support to
arrive. He unselfishly played the ball inside to Rich Cuthbert who finished
well for a 2-0 lead. I didn’t see the third but from all reports it was
a cracking volley from Joerg into the top corner. We conceded a late penalty when Lenny was adjudged to
handle the ball in the penalty box but it was all too late for the Raiders.
Well done lads… Bring on round 2! Man of the Match: Richard Cuthbert |
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