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Reserves v
Brandon Park
It was
a cold and wet morning upon arrival at Freeway Reserve, but that
wasn't the problem. Yet again, we were playing on a surface that was
an absolute disgrace. Not contusive to good flowing football at all,
rather a long ball game. The reserve lads had trained well during
the week, and were ready for a big game. Josh and Norman were making
there first starts of the season, and both started the game very
well, especially Josh, who's runs down the wing were troubling the
opposition. Case was back at sweeper, and his defence consisting of
Az and Jack "The Barbarian" were rock solid for the first 35. Shano
was putting himself about in the middle of the park, while Dane and
Jezza were having a real dogfight up front. The ressies dominated
the first half, consistently having Brandon Park on the back foot,
but the final pass was the telling factor. With many fantastic build
ups being ruined by a poor final pass, Monbulk were unable to find a
way through, and their dominance in the first half went unrewarded.
The
second half was much of the same. The lads were excellent all over
the park, and Owen was starting to get into the game out wide. Dane
was getting very little protection from the referee, and should have
been given at least a half dozen free kicks, but play was waved on.
With 20 min to go, Choc made a change and brought Alex on in place
of the tiring Shane. This seemed to unsettle Monbulk for a 5 minute
period, as Brandon Park started attacking in waves. The pressure
finally paid off, and they went ahead after Sam poor defending
allowed the striker through one on one. Jack Kirkham was brought on
out wide in place of Josh with the instructions of getting forward.
Monbulk gained the ascendancy again, and looked for the equaliser.
It came with about 10min to go, as a long throw was flicked on, and
Jack was at the right place to beat the keeper at the far post.
Monbulk started looking for the winner, and Jezza was fighting hard
to make things happen. But once again, time beat the lads, and a
draw was the final resort. Very little reward for dominating 90% of
the game. A good week on the track is required for the tough game
against Riversdale next week.
Seniors v
Brandon Park
The
boys once again turned up to an away game on an absolute paddock. It
was going to require 90min of hard work, and a few lucky bounces
here and there to get the result we craved. Unfortunately all the
things that were worked on during the week with Noodles were going
to suffer, as the surface would not allow Monbulk to play the ball
around as intended. The game started quite slow as both teams tried
to adjust to the conditions. Brechan and Cowie looked good up front,
and some of their one touch play was superb. After about 15min, some
slack work at the back allowed the Brandon Park striker through one
on one, but Stubbsy was equal to the task saving brilliantly. The
game was starting to take shape, and the long ball was the main
method of attack. After 25 minutes, Brandon Park received a free
kick about 35 yards out on a difficult angle. An excellent cross
caught a couple of the lads napping, and a free header was allowed
to sail into the top corner for a one nil lead. The boys worked hard
to try and get the goal back. Noodles was having a good game, and
Chrissy was working tirelessly in the middle. Taury was providing a
lot of run out wide, and Stevey Bras was doing well in an unfamiliar
position out wide on the left. A brilliant corner whipped in by
Noodles looked a certain goal after 35min, but nobody attacked the
ball, and it bounced harmlessly away. Brechan and Cowie had a couple
of half chances go wide, but the half time score remained 1 nil to
Brandon Park.
The
second half started and both teams were trying to find their feet.
About 5min into the second half, an injury to Taury saw him
stretchered off, a big loss to Monbulk. Some tactical changes were
made, with Sammy going out wide, and reserves coach Choc coming on
in the middle. The intensity of the game rose almost immediately, as
Monbulk searched for the equaliser. Some good quality football was
starting to be played, and the game opened right up. With a half an
hour left, Stubbsy came out to gather a loose ball, only for it to
bobble out of his hands, and into the path of the awaiting striker
who couldn't believe his luck. Stubbsy desperately tried to keep the
strike out, but failed to do so, and Brandon Park was
undeservedly ahead by two. Monbulk continued to work hard, with Nick
marshalling the back. 20 min to go, Noodles knocked a free kick
across the top of the box, Brechan managed to get a touch across the
box to find Choc steaming in. Choc managed to get the better of a
50/50 challenge with the keeper, tapping it past him, and smashing
it into the net from a yard out. It was game on. Wellsy came on for
Sammy, and Monbulk played 3 up front, with Chrissy pushing out wide.
Most of the play was heading Monbulk's way, with the occasional
counter by Brandon Park being thwarted by Simon, Pauly and Nick.
Ball after ball was put into the box from Noodles, Choc and Stevey,
but the final touch was elusive. Brandon Park sacrificed an attacker
for a defender to soak up some of the pressure, and it helped thwart
Monbulk's endeavors. The final whistle ended the game as a 2-1 loss
to Monbulk, but a draw would of been a much fairer result. Good luck
next week at home to Riversdale.
Written
by Paul
Psathas (Choco) |