McAlister's goal a gem
Posted: 14 May, 2007
| Langwarrin | 4 | — | 1 | North Geelong |
| Nick Robinson Liam Swaine Kevin McAlister (2) |
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Round 5: Langwarrin v North Geelong — 12 May, 2007
A three-goal second-half onslaught at Lawton Park on Saturday highlighted by a stunning goal from midfield maestro Kevin McAlister kept this season’s unbeaten record intact as the Langwarrin reserves ran out comfortable 4-1 winners against North Geelong.
But this contest started on a down note for the home side as they failed to attack the ball, allowing the visitors too much latitude in the third minute and going 1-0 down. It was the first goal scored against the Langy reserves in general play this season.
Langy created its first good chance in the 10th minute when striker Nick Robinson showed great close control to wriggle past his opponent but the North Geelong keeper did well to get down and smother at Robinson’s feet.
Langy’s equaliser came in the 20th minute amid much controversy. Sweeper Niall Mitten struck a free kick low and hard from outside the area. The North Geelong keeper spilled the ball but got his hands to it at the second attempt, just as Langy striker Peter Ferguson challenged him. The ball spilled free to Ferguson who squared it to McAlister for a simple tap-in as North Geelong players surrounded the referee in a vain appeal to win a free-kick for the challenge on their custodian.
In the 27th minute central midfielder Liam Swaine sent Robinson down the right. The blond striker volleyed the ball into the area and although Ferguson did well to control it under pressure he shot wide.
A superb ball by Mitten in the 32nd minute sent Ferguson down the left. Ferguson squared the ball toward the penalty spot and there was relief etched on the face of the North Geelong defender who slid in and watched the ball slew off his boot and inches over the bar.
Fraser Cameron and Anthony Famularo replaced Liam George and Grant Colville at half-time, Cameron taking up a wide left midfield role with Famularo wide on the right.
Three minutes into the second half, Langy took the lead. Swaine and McAlister were exerting more influence on the contest and it was Swaine who broke forward and struck a fierce shot from outside the area, the ball deflecting off an opponent and neatly lobbing over the stranded North Geelong goalie.
In the 44th minute a handball inside the area gave Langy the chance to make it 3-1 and all but put the contest out of the visitors’ reach. Goal-a-game Robinson did the business from the resultant penalty albeit that the North Geelong keeper guessed the right way.
Five minutes later North Geelong were staring down the barrel as they had a player sent off for a second yellow card. There was no way back for the 10 men now.
Swaine swung over a great ball from a free kick and Dave Jurisic just failed to get a touch as he charged in at the back post.
Stevie Hill came on, replacing Ferguson as Langy kept turning the screw. Then came a magical moment and one that made the admission fee well worthwhile. McAlister did well to win the ball on the right just outside the area. He took a touch, looked up, then curled the ball with his left foot into the far corner for a sensational fourth goal, his second of the contest.
Hill should have made it 5-1 in the 55th minute when he ran onto Mathew Hodgson’s fine long ball only to strike his half-volley against the post but by then the visitors were well beaten.
