Langy Win To Stay Top
Posted: 17 July, 2008
| Langwarrin | 2 | — | 1 | Sunshine George Cross |
| B.Caffrey A.Ahmadzai |
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Round 15: Langwarrin v Sunshine George Cross — 12 July, 2008
Back home to face The Georgies on a very wet # 2 pitch, with an unhelpful wind blowing. The team today is without our captain Kevin McAlister who has a crook knee (Hope it's not a serious injury and we see Kev back in action soon). Goalkeeper: Sean Skelly - Backline: Matthew 'Scud' Hodgson, Brenton Smith and Sean Smith. Midfield: Luke 'Burgo' Burgess, Joe Iline, Anthony Famalaro, Adam Ahmadzai and Hayden Shippers. Attack: Peter Ferguson and Ben Caffrey. The Bench: Mitch Blake, Daniel Biondo, Alex Mackie and Nick Thomas.
With a lot at stake, both teams went hard at it from the first whistle, not a game for the faint hearted. Tackles were crisp by both sides as the game flowed from end to end on a difficult surface were the ball was skidding all over the place. Even under these conditions the game produced a high standard with plenty to keep the good sized crowd fully entertained.
The first real chance fell to Peter from a miss-hit goal kick. The Georgies keeper totally fluffed his kick and the ball landed straight at Pete's feet just on the edge of the box. Peter advanced on the goal with a startled keeper rushing out to make amends. To his credit he closed the space down quickly and saved well. We thought that was going to be 1 - 0 after just 2 minutes and just the start we needed. Our disappointment was soon turned to cheers as Peter managed to break free on the left hand side of the box and send a beautiful cross ball right to the unmarked Ben Caffrey, who in his usual style just calmly sided footed the ball into an empty net. 1 - 0.
The Georgies responded right away with a near miss from a well-worked attack down the right flank, cross into the middle and their striker toe poked it wide of the goal. A bad miss and one that would prove to be very costly indeed.
After that escape it was Langy's turn to produce some panic for the visitors. Burgo slipped a first time pass to Joey, he in turn 'dinked' one over the defender on to Famo, two touches later and Adam was firing in on goal. Just wide! Beautiful football!
Another slick, accurate pass straight down the middle of the park by Burgo found Ben near the 'D'. One touch and Ben hit a good shot, which the keeper pulled out a great save to keep it at 1 - 0.
Ben once again produced our next attempt, this time from about 25 meters; a hard right footed shot goal bound. Again the Georgies keeper managed a high one handed save. Good shot and equally good save.
The game continued to ebb and flow from end to end and although Langy created the more threatening attacks our defense was certainly kept on their toes, but they held firm and were very direct in dealing with the Georgies lively attackers.
To finish off the first half we were almost two up when Ben slipped Peter through on a one on one with keeper! Would you believe it! The Georgies keeper produced yet another outstanding save. This goalie was going to be very difficult to pass today.
Almost from that Langy attack, Georgies quickly took the ball down our left wing and their number 7, who was a real handful, managed to get in behind us close to the corner flag. His low cross somehow came right across the six-yard box and out the other side of our box without a single touch from either defender or attackers! What a let off! The whistle went for half time and we breathed a sigh of relief as we went in 1-0 at the break.
The score line was a little unfair on the opportunities we had produced and with a bit more luck it could have been, or should have been, 2 or 3. Taking nothing away from their goalie who had kept them in it. Never the less it was a close entertaining game and we were all looking forward to the second half with much anticipation.
The second half was exactly like the first, both sides thrusting at each other. The defenders on both sides effective, midfielders working very hard to get control and strikers probing at every opportunity.
There were signs of our midfield steadily gaining control when two or three quick attacks were mounted in quick succession. First Hayden's throw in found Burgo, his little knock forward found Joe in some space about 25 meters out. Wham! Joey's hard right footer fly's in on goal only to see the keeper save yet again.
Second chance came from Hayden's top effort and once again the keeper gets his leg on a low shot and deflects the ball onto the post and away! 65-minute mark sees Peter make way for Mitch Blake.
Again the Georgies come close. Their ever dangerous #7 wriggles free on the edge of our penalty box and hits one over the top as if to remind us not to take our minds off the job.
Thankfully, it was Ben who produced one of his party pieces inside their penalty area. Back to goal, he holds the ball up inviting any sucker tackles from desperate defenders. Sure enough Ben slipped one way and drew the tackle! No doubt about it PENALTY! Great work Caff.
Up stepped Adam and duly buried the spot kick 2 - 0
Not long to go now, we're nearly home! The last few minutes were made a little easier, or so we hoped, when the Georgie # 2 tried the patience of the referee once too many times and went for an early bath.
Down to ten men the Georgies threw everything at us. Ben had done his bit for the day and was replaced by Daniel Biondo.
With only a minute to go, the Georgies found a gap in our defense and the striker despatched the ball past Sean into the net. 2 -1. All too late for them!
We where a happy bunch over the fence when that final whistle went and we went in winners once again 2 -1. Top effort that and we are sitting on top, undefeated for the season. Well done, coaches and we're so proud of the lads. Cheers from The Man Over the Fence.
Team: Skelly, S.Smith, B.Smith, Hodgson, Famularo, Shippers, Burgess, Ahmadzai, Iline, Caffrey (Biondo 85), Ferguson (Blake 65)
Unused Sub: Thomas, Mackie
