Fine debut by Hodgson
Posted: 23 April, 2007
| Westgate | 1 | — | 2 | Langwarrin |
| Nick Robinson Liam George |
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Round 2: Westgate v Langwarrin — 21 April, 2007
The reserves kicked off their 2007 campaign with a well deserved 2-1 win against Westgate at Ardeer Reserve last Saturday evening. Robbie Mathieson was deputising for coach Jim Morrison who was in Canada attending his mother’s funeral and the youngsters didn’t let Robbie or Jim down with a commanding first-half display.
The midfield was particularly strong in the first half featuring Liam George, Liam Swaine, John Jovan, Kevin McAlister, and Davie Breslin who had just returned from holidaying in Canada.
With Nick Robinson and Deni Skopljak buzzing about up front the home side was under pressure early and Langy deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes when McAlister got free down the left and heeded Robinson’s call at the far post, sending in a well-weighted cross for the blond striker to finish in style. It was a tremendous run by Robinson who looked in the mood for a few more goals.
Five minutes later, George’s persistence paid off big time when a dodgy back pass put the Westgate keeper under pressure on the edge of his area. George slid in strongly to contest the 50-50, won the ball then got back on his feet and calmly slotted it in from the angle to give Langy a seeming stranglehold on the contest.
The defence featured Niall Mitten and Dave Jurisic who were paired together for the first time having never formed a defensive partnership throughout the pre-season. Young ‘Scud’, Mathew Hodgson, also played at the back and attacked the ball with gusto, often getting in front of his opponent and breaking up Westgate forward thrusts. With Sean Skelly back in goal after returning from an overseas trip, the reserves have the makings of a formidable defence.
Just before half-time, however, Mitten just failed to get to a contest inside the area and clattered into his opponent, forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot. A neat conversion gave Westgate a half-time scoreline that flattered the home side.
Langy’s midfield was not so dominant in the second half but Robinson still was given a chance to ice the contest five minutes into the second period but failed to do so.
Mathieson rung the changes in this period with Grant Colville and Stevie Hill coming on while Westgate pressed for an equaliser. Hodgson was superb in his first senior outing and for all the home side’s pressure, Skelly did not have a lot to do in goal.
The home team linesman caused a few problems during the second half, persisting in not flagging for some blatant offsides and even trying to flag for a penalty which the referee correctly ignored. But the linesman’s efforts proved fruitless and Langy started its title campaign on a winning note.
