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“THE
DEN” – Match Report |
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Game 18 Manly Vale Lionel Watts 2 |
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First Grade – True Tiger Spirit Score: 2-0 Goal Scorer(s):
Adam Townsend ’60, Joerg Dierkes
’70 Match Report: The
boys had a tough week after copping a drubbing against Taking away the Manly Vale and We weathered the storm in the first half after giving away
too many soft free kicks in our danger zone. Luckily we defended the free
kicks and corners extremely well with Benny making several crucial saves.
After a long spell out of first grade and a comical air-swing (duly fined)
Ben saved the coach’s butt by making a great save off the resulting one
on one. He was once again on the spot to produce an amazing point blank save
after a Vale player tried tapping in a rebounded shot. The turning point came in the second half when a half
chance by Adam Townsend resulted in a superb finish. With his back to goal, he
received the ball just outside the penalty box, turned those 60 year old hips
180°
and volleyed into the top right corner. We gained a lot and confidence and
belief from this and shortly after had a second. Ash Mathieson
rose against his arch nemesis, Alan Hunter, to flick on a goal-kick to Jeorg Dierkes who broke clear
and finished expertly by chipping the oncoming Vale keeper. Realising they had to score, Vale started pushing men
forward but this only opened up their defence. We were unfortunate not score
a few more as Ash had two great chances with one header rattling off the
crossbar and the other glancing just wide. Rich Cuthbert also could have
scored, but a low outstretched keeper’s hand saved his shot from
heading into the far corner. Manly Vale had a late chance to get back in the game but we
were fortunate when Alan Hunter pulled his penalty kick wide of goals. The
boys hung on for an important 2-0 win against a tough Vale outfit. As they
say, a week’s a long time in soccer and the boys can be proud of the
way they performed. A massive turn around in team spirit and commitment made
all the difference. Well done boys, something to be proud of! Worth a mention... One of the funniest comments I’ve
heard just seconds before kick-off… Jeorg to
Robbie: “Robbie, just don’t shit yourself”.
Not sure what Joerg was referring to but I was
hoping it wasn’t something he’d eaten as I was playing just
behind him at sweeper! Man of the Match: Ben Molyneux Reserve Grade – Early Onslaught Score: 4-0 Goal Scorer(s): Joe
Kotevich ’2, Eddy Fong ’5, Darren Leach
’8, Dwayne Beazley ’65, Match Report: Probably
for the first time this year, reserve grade came out of the blocks like a
house on fire and the game was all but over in the first ten minutes. Three
early goals ripped the heart out of the opposition and sealed the game
against Manly Vale. A delightful ball from Guy Halpin
started the procession by splitting the defence and leaving Joe Kotevich, who had made a telling run from midfield, with
only the keeper to beat. Without a goal to his name this season, Joe calmly
slotted the ball past the keeper like a seasoned professional. In no time at all, the ball was back in the Manly Vale
penalty box. Nick Rainey pressured a defender into error; Eddy Fong pounced
and slotted the ball into the old onion bag for his first for the year. In a
day of firsts, Leachy also scored after Kane flicked the ball far post and
finished in traditional Leachy style, with the outside of the right.
Three-blot in less than ten minutes. Nick Rainey had another opportunity to
put the side further ahead but put a well struck left foot shot just wide. After a hectic start the game settled down with Joe playing
particularly well in the middle and our back four as solid as ever (I’m
not talking about girth either!) in the windy conditions. Fongy
was also outstanding at left half and troubled the opposition all day. With the importance of first grade’s game, Leachy and
Rains were substituted to sit on the bench for the top team if needed. As the
result was already safe and with our defence only conceding 7 goals this
season, Manly Vale would be doing extremely well to get back into the game.
Adam Burling came on at left half and had an early opportunity after breaking
free towards goals, but forget to unhook the wind bag before coming on and
was easily run down and tackled by the defence. It wasn’t long before
Dwayne Beazley added to his season tally after replacing Rains up front. Not
sure how it was scored as preparations were underway
for the first grade game. Reidy also made a welcome
comeback after Oggy received a slight hamstring
strain and was subbed as a precautionary measure. Easily our best performance of the year under the bouncy
and windy conditions which resulted in a comfortable 4-0 vistory against
Manly Vale. Keep it going lads! Man of the Match: Joe Kotevich |
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