Langy Just Not At The Races
Posted: 29 August, 2007
| Southern Stars | 2 | — | 0 | Langwarrin |
Round 20: Southern Stars v Langwarrin — 25 August, 2007
Langy took on Southern Stars, with Langy knowing that they couldn't afford another slip up after the past 2 loses to Coburg and St Albans. Missing this week for Langy was Senior Coach Gus Macleod who is overseas attending his daughter's wedding. In his place were Neil Collier, Robert Mathieson and Jim Morrison. Into the team came Darren McClenaghan returning to the first team since his injury against Frankston Pines early in the season. Stuart Craig also returned to the starting 11 and on the bench we had Sam Hehir, Thomas Ahmadzai, Ben Caffrey and Timmy Paton.
Last time these 2 teams met the game ended in a tight 1–1 draw and Langy knew that it was in for another tough game. It was not going to help that the ground rock hard in places and a sand pit in the others, but it was going to be the same for both sides so they would have to just get stuck in.
For the first 20 mins it was a pretty tight affair with both teams not creating any real chances. Southern Stars created a few half chances that were mainly the result of errors from the Langy defence, but they were quickly cleaned up by Chris Jones. 25mins into the game Southern Stars took the lead. A long ball up the park by Southern Stars had Chris Jones coming for it and due to the wind he had to change his mind as it was held up and a Southern Stars forward was able to beat Brian MacNichol to the ball and lobbed it over the retreating keeper.
Langy were dealt a blow about 5 minutes later when Brian MacNicol rolled his ankle in a tackle, he was replaced with Thomas Ahmadzai. Dave Breslin switched to the back line with Darren McClenaghan moving to sweeper. Langy battled back and tried to get into the game with a chance from Big Caleb from a free kick from outside the box just clipping the top of the bar. One of the best chances for Langy came with a minute before half time, when a great ball was played in by Shane Tagliaferro that was helped on by Karl Cochran who knocked it past the keeper to the running Barry "the cougar" Tulloch. Barry took a touch and as he went to hit the ball into the net it took a bad bounce in the sand. He then went to kick it again but a Southern Stars defender was able to come sliding in and clear the ball away for a corner.
So that's how it finished at half time, 1–0 to Southern Stars
Into the second half and Langy made another change with Sam Hehir replacing Stuart Craig. Sam moved out wide left and Thomas moved into the centre of midfield. Langy stepped up the tempo and some tackles were flying in with a few yellow cards dished out to the Langy players.
All this effort was in vain when the wind was knocked out of the Langy sail by a second goal. A soft free kick was superbly swung over, Chris Quinn out jumped everyone to get his head onto it but unfortunately he could only flick the ball into the back of the net past a helpless Chris Jones. From then on it was pretty tough for Langy and whatever they tried just didn't seem to come off.
So that's how it finished 2–0 to Southern Stars and a 3rd straight loss to Langy. Hopefully the lads can pick themselves up for the last home game against Brunswick.
We are expecting a large crowd with the juniors and their families being encouraged to attend in numbers to thank the players for a superb season. I am sure that the players will reciprocate and give the fans a lion hearted performance and get back on the winning track.
