A rampant second half secures the 3 points
Posted: 11 June, 2008
| Westgate | 2 | — | 4 | Langwarrin |
| J.O'Donaghue H.Shippers K.McAlister Own Goal |
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Round 11: Westgate v Langwarrin — 14 June, 2008
Another fair hike up the freeway for the twilight fixture against Westgate sitting 8th on the ladder. The team this week was: Sean Skelly (back from senior duty - well done last week Sean). Backline: Matthew (Scud) Hodgson, Brenton Smith and Sean Smith (still recovering from surgery - great effort Sean). Midfield: Luke Burgess, Anthony Famarlo, Adam Ahmadzai, Kevin McAlister and Hayden Shippers. Strikers: Ben Caffrey and Jamie O'Donaghue. The Bench: Peter Ferguson, James Cullen, Daniel Biondo, Liam George and Nick Thomas. Could be a tricky match this one, especially playing away and it certainly lived up to that expectation.
Four minutes gone and we found ourselves one down! A free kick to Westgate on the right hand side, just inside our half, our defenders totally misjudge the flight of the ball and before we had time to react the ball was in our net. A gift of an opener! The Westgate player could not believe his luck! The first 20 minutes were torrid for us to say the least. Westgate came at us with all guns blazing and we had our hands full with their aggressive tactics and penetrating attacks. However, good teams show character as well as skill and these young blokes have plenty of that…in spades!
Gradually, one by one, small battles were being sorted and won. A tackle here, a pass there, a header won, a pass intercepted. We started to put together a few well constructed probing attacks and the signs where there that just maybe the tide was starting to turn in our favor. This match once again indicated to us ‘over the fence mob' how resilient this team is. You could feel the team spirit building as we continued to win more and more of the ball. Particularly in midfield were it was no place for feint hearts.
You could sense that the ‘machine' was starting to roll once again.
The referee was kept busy as tackles were penalized and soon several yellow cards where issued to Westgate players. Both Famo and Hayden were being targeted frequently as their pace was becoming a real threat to the Westgate backline. Famo particularly, endured some pretty ordinary challenges, but true to the team spirit he did not wilt. Westgates frustration began to show as they were unable to impose themselves and it started to take its toll on them.
Suddenly the sting had left their game and it was now our turn to go forward at every opportunity and really take the game up to them! Relentless, we sent wave after wave of attacks deep down each flank. Hayden and Famo chasing everything down, whipping in quality crosses and generally causing havoc. One in particular was met by Adam who hit a fierce volley just over the top!
Down the middle, the ever-present Ben was causing his own brand of havoc. As usual he provided a central target for our boys to hit and as usual, held the ball up so well, he either won a free kick or pulled the opposition away from the center channel for others to run into. His partner up front Jamie, ran all over the park giving the Westgate defenders an uncomfortable night with his pace.
Sean Skelly continued his fine form so far this season with another top shelf save that kept the score at 1 v 0, as Westgate launched a quick right sided attack, which resulted in a slick pass into our box, followed by a hard low shot bang on target. Sean flung himself to his left and palmed it away. Super save!
Our turn now to hit back with Ben providing Jamie with a crossfield pass, on the run Jamie pulls it back for Hayden to smash the ball narrowly wide of the goal. The signs are there Lads! It was getting pretty animated over the fence and the Langy faithful were in full voice urging our boys on. For those who did not make the trip… ”You don't know what you're missing!” Wonderful to be part of it.
Ben received a nice pass along the left wing from Brenton and once again held it up, the defender tried to get a foot in but Ben craftily backheeled through the defender's legs sending Kevin McAlister flying in towards the penalty box. Kevin hit a low hard cross and it was inevitable that the outcome would be a goal. A defender in desperation could only turn the ball into his own net. 1 v 1
The game was now finely balanced and the tension was really mounting. The Over the Fence Mob where really getting into the mood of the game by now. Roars of encouragement for our boys… and lots of banter for the opposition! (All in good taste though)
Sean Smith made, what was undoubtedly; the tackle of the night. A Westgate striker was clear through on goal before Sean made up several meters on him and managed somehow to slide in and knock the ball away for a corner. No foul, no penalty. Simply a brilliant tackle! Kevin was involved with the Westgate #7 after a 50-50 ball was contested vigorously. Both players received a yellow card. Shortly after Westgate received a freekick on the edge of the box which was blasted at our defensive wall and Sean Smith trying to protect himself received the full force on his arm. Penalty! A bit stiff. The penalty kick was duly dispatched and we found ourselves 2 v 1 down at the break.
There was a fair amount of optimism among the faithful during the interval. Consensus of opinion was that we had too many good options in attack and our fitness has always been a big factor in the last 20 minutes. Of course, never, ever forget that Langy spirit! It did not take long before we struck back. Soon after the restart Famo was off on another raid down the flank, his cross ball into the box was met by Ben who turned and struck the post, thankfully Jamie was alert and followed up with a tap in. 2 v 2.
This was the signal for the boys to really roll and they did not disappoint us, we didn't have to wait too long before we hit the front. This time it was Hayden who stuck one away with a good finish at the far post after some good work by Ben in the box. 3 v 2.
Westgate continued to become more and more frustrated by our ever increasing dominance and a second yellow card for a rash challenge from behind saw their #6 get his marching orders. Goal number four arrived with a neat backheader by Ben from Haydens throw in deep into the Westgate defensive third. Ben's header found Kevin on the move into the penalty area and a cool finish produced a fine goal. 4 v 2.
Time for our first sub of the night, Peter Ferguson came on for Jamie and immediately found space to hit a shot that was well saved by the keeper. Another Westgate player joined his teammate for the early bath as the referee issued the #13 with his second yellow for the match. Westgate were unraveling; now down to nine players, this allowed us to apply a great deal of pressure on the already stressed Westagte defense.
A direct free kick 20 meters out saw Burgo hit a decent, curling, right footed effort over the wall towards the top left hand corner of the goal only to see the goalkeeper make a save. We continued to punch holes in a shaky defense and Peter slotted what appeared to be a perfectly good goal, unfortunately the referee had blown for offside. We thought it was a split decision. It was that close. Burgo had done his bit for the cause and was next to be subbed by the ever-reliable Liam.
The attacks on a hapless Westagte defense continued and with such a numerical advantage, they looked pretty forlorn.A nicely worked attack by Famo to Adam and onto Ben, who produced a lovely chip just over! Great move. At the 80th minute, Kevin made way for Daniel Biondo and within a few minutes Daniel almost scored from the edge of the area, his shot slammed into the side netting. The final effort of the night came from Peter who met a Ben flick-on-header and had his shot well saved by the keeper.
That was it for the night. Langy ran out comfortable winners at the end. Good to see the boys keep their composure under tough conditions and some pretty intense tackling. A really strong comeback, particularly from that early first half onslaught by Westagte. Well, yet another enjoyable match for us by the young blokes and another 3 points in the bag. From the Man Over the Fence, once again signing off. See you at next week's game folks.
Congrats to the coaches and players, a mighty effort… 'Go U Young Blokes'
My 1-2-3: Scud - Ben - Kevin
Team: Skelly, S.Smith, B.Smith, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess (George 75), McAlister (Biondo 80), Ahmadzai, O'Donoghue (Ferguson 70), Caffrey
Unused Sub: Thomas, Cullen
