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Reserves v Noble Park
Our second game of the year was to be
played on the most atrocious park any of the boys had ever seen. Add to
this the cold blustery conditions, and you don't really have the makings
of a classic. The young Monbulk side sporting 7 players under the age of
18, came up against a very experienced and physical Noble Park side.
From the start the aerial power of Noble Park was going to be Monbulk's
biggest problem, while our pace and fitness was going to test the home
side. Monbulk started brightly with Dane and Jezza causing problems.
Jack Kirkham, and Alex were made to work hard out wide, and Case was
finding his legs in his first game back from injury at sweeper.
Unfortunately a free kick was nodded on by Noble Park, and in the
confusion they took the lead after about 15 minutes. Young Jack
"Barbarian" playing his first game at centre half was having to learn
the position fast as he battled with a guy 15 years his senior, while Az,
Owen and Richo battled hard in the middle. Monbulk's persistence paid
off when Jezza finished very well after good lead up work from Dane. The
half finished at 1all. The second half was much of the same, with the
ground making it difficult for good football. Norman came on for Alex,
and his pace created problems. Yet again though, a set piece brought us
undone, with the physical presence of Noble Park a little too hard for
us to handle. Some scrappy defensive play gave Noble Park a chance to
get the ball in the box, and make the score 2-1 with about 20min to go.
Monbulk pressed hard for an equaliser, going man on man at the back and
were rewarded when Dane got his second of the season. A fantastic turn
and strike from 30 yards beat the keeper at the near post, and it was 2
all. Monbulk were now all over there more tired opponents and should
have scored again. In the last 5 minutes, a spectacular triple save from
point blank range by our young keeper Ozzie, saved the day right at the
death.
It has been a good start to the season
for the young lads. The only pity is that the matches are only 70min
long, as our young legs are finishing right over the top of teams, but
we are just running out of time. Good luck for next week lads.
Seniors v Noble Park
As already stated, the ground resembled
a cow paddock more than it did a football ground, but Monbulk were
looking to build on last weeks 5-0 annihilation of Rowville. The first
five minutes of the match set the tone for the entire match. Long balls
played out of the backline as both teams tried to avoid mistakes on the
bumpy pitch in the middle of the park. Wellsy was winning everything in
the air, and Brechan was his usual hard working self, but chances were
difficult to come by. The newly signed Durand brothers were causing
Monbulk some headaches, but no major problems, with Paul Bras, Simon and
Nick holding them at bay. Dane and Chris were buzzing in the middle of
the park, while Noodles tried to support them. Very few highlights to
report in the first half as the rain was tumbling down for the whole
45min.
The second half was much of the same
with both sides creating half chances. The rain persisted, and the games
had become a real slog. Taury was finding it hard to get behind the
opposition as they sat back, and tried to hit us on the counter. Brassy,
playing in an unfamiliar wide position, was also holding firm. With
20min to go, Noodles was replaced by Sammy, hoping that the fresh legs
in the middle might give us the spark. It almost proved to be a
masterstroke, as Monbulk broke down the left with Taury, who put a ball
across the box, helped on by Wellsy to Brechan who put it high and wide
with only the keeper to beat. That proved to be the best chance of the
match, as both teams now were keen to hold on to the point. The match
ended on a sour note, as Dane and the Noble Park keeper were sent off
after an altercation. Overall a handy point for Monbulk, after a hard
fought 90minutes.
Written
by Paul
Psathas (Choco) |