Langy's 11 game unbeaten run comes to an end
Posted: 17 August, 2007
| Coburg United | 2 | — | 0 | Langwarrin |
Round 18: Coburg United v Langwarrin — 11 August, 2007
After surviving the bruising derby against Casey Comets, Langwarrin travelled to Knights Stadium to take on the in form side Coburg United. The last time the teams met Coburg demolished Langwarrin 5-0 at Lawton Park. Since this result Langwarrin were undefeated and were sitting 2nd on the table, 2 points above Coburg.
Langwarrin were again without suspended Caleb Nicholes, and went in with an unchanged side from the previous week. The Knights stadium is an imposing cauldron to play in, and with both sets of supporters in full voice before the game, the atmosphere was electric.
With both teams needing to win this encounter to strengthen their promotion aspirations, it was sure to be a battle. Coburg started the stronger, their quick passing and movement causing Langy headaches. Coburg's attacking formation, starting with 3 up front, looked dangerous although they very rarely threatened the goal of Chris Jones in the first half. Although not crating a lot, Coburg had the majority of possession and Langy therefore found it difficult to press forward in numbers to penetrate the Coburg defence.
Langy’s only real attacking presence were set pieces, with Sam Herir knocking across some dangerous balls. After 40 minutes Coburg took a deserved lead. A quick one two on the half way line saw the Coburg player freed down the right wing. He then held of two challenges from Langy before he was able to square a pass to the big Coburg striker who had plenty of time to easily tap the ball into the net. This was how it stayed until the break and Langy needed to up the intensity if they wanted to get something out of the game.
Langwarrin came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, with Karl Cochrane working hard to create chances up front. After the flurry of action early in the half, Coburg changed their formation, leaving one up front and plugging the gaps in defence. This change stifled Langy’s attacking options and whilst having more possession than the first half, Langy were still unable to create any clear cut chances. With Langy pushing forward in numbers attempting to snatch the elusive equaliser, Coburg were able to catch Langy on the counter, and after 85 minutes played that tactic paid dividends. Again the quick movement from Coburg caught Langy out and a great strike from the edge of the box was enough to kill off Langy’s spirited challenge.
Langy’s first defeat in 12 games meant that it dropped to 4th place on the table, but still only 2 points out of the promotion place. This week brings St Albans, another promotion hopeful, to Lawton Park, with the loser close to being out of the promotion race. So it is a do-or-die game for the boys, who will be sure to be pumped up for this encounter.
