Langy v Bullen Royals
Posted: 4 August, 2008
| Langwarrin | 1 | — | 2 | Bullen Royals |
| D.Biondo; | ||||
Round 19: Langwarrin v Bullen Royals — 9 August, 2008
Home for 2nd v 3rd on the ladder clash. A big game with plenty at stake for the young guns against the Royals. Those of us who made the trip up to Bulleen for the first encounter remember a fantastic game, hard fought with a 0 – 0 outcome. A few changes have occurred due to injuries, suspensions and work commitments and have had the domino effect on U18’s, Ressies and Senior squads.
A difficult period to negotiate through at the tail end of the season. Never the less, everyone will do their best whatever the odds and we supporters will gave our 100% too!
The starting line up today will be without Ben Caffrey (Senior Duty), Peter Ferguson (Call up to Seniors), Matthew ‘Scud’ Hodgson (Sick) and Sean Skelly (Injured). Nick Thomas in goal. Back Line: Brenton Smith – Sean Smith – Alex Mackie. Midfield: Famalaro – Burgess – Kilner – Neumann – Shippers. Strikers: Blake – Biondo. Bench: Joe Iline – James Cullen – Liam George – Christopher John Hodgson (CJ for short – just turned 15years – Goalkeeper – well done young man!)
A bright start by the lads, plenty of good flowing football from positive build up’s all over the pitch and we almost had the lead several times in the opening 20 minutes. Near misses from Famo with a dipping free kick 25 meters out that just went over the top! Both Daniel and Mitch almost got on the end of several through balls only to see the ball gathered by the keeper or a defender hack the pill away to safety.
We had to wait until the 27 minute before the deadlock was broken. It was Famo again with a great free kick that hit the bar and bounced out, thankfully Daniel was alert to pounce with the follow up and Bang! We were in front 1 – 0 and deservedly so!
This stung the Royals into attack and they almost snatched the equalizer from a neat build up from a back-heeler that put a striker in on goal. We were left off as he hit his left footer over the top!
We quickly replied with Burgo, for a bit of variety, who had a go with a free kick, this time around the upright.
Hayden was unlucky receiving a yellow card for what can be best-described as ‘mild’ tackle.
It was an indication of what was to come from the officials for the day.
The Royals continued to press for a goal and came very close with a header over the top from a corner kick which our defence seemed to just watch.
Burgo was next to go into the book for back-heeling the ball to the Royals player who had been awarded a free kick. ??? Dear Oh Dear!!!
Next the Royals #3 was booked for yet another foul on Hayden.
So we got to the interval with a deserving 1-0 lead, but it could have been more.
The second half started with the Royals really coming at us hard and they almost caught us on 47 minutes from a free kick that whistled just over the bar!
It was obvious that the Royals coach had revved his team up as they appeared to play with a stronger conviction and they basically got stuck into us. At every opportunity they mad every tackle count and several more yellow cards should have been issued, but alas, nothing!
The Royals came close again with two attacks in quick succession. The first, Nick stopped a hard shot from the edge of the box on the second attempt as the wet ball spilled out of his grasp. A great second effort to stop the on rushing Royal striker getting a hit on goal. The second moments later resulted in another save from a long throw in that was nodded on by a Royal forward. Danger signs from this set piece lad’s.
Sure enough, it was another long throw in that did the damage! It was too simple and our defenders had not learnt from the previous Royal attacks from this set piece.
We did little to pressure the Royals striker who flicked the ball up, backwards, over our defence and Nick into the net! 1 –1
Coach Jamie Skelly made a few changes over the next 30 minutes to get us back on track with Dylan, Brenton and Mitch making way for Joe Iline, Liam George and finally James Cullen respectively.
It almost paid instant dividends with Liam forcefully breaking through and hitting his shot just over the bar!
Burgo was clattered by the Royal’s #15 and the referee had really no option but to book him a second time! Early bath for you young man!
Unfortunately, we did not have time to make the numbers count, as it was the Royals who stole the show with a goal that left us shacking our heads in disbelief! Our defence did not react quickly enough, Nick saved the first effort well, but their striker had a simple task of just tapping in from close range! 1 – 2 down.
We threw everything at them in the final minutes but just could not create that bit of luck to get back on terms.
Burgo put Famo through and he was cynical brought down 25 meters out. Famo’s free kick was just wide and signalled our last real effort for the day.
It was a tough way to finish a day that looked so promising early on, as we had our chances particularly in that first 20 minutes or so. But that’s football; it can be very unfair sometimes.
As the team left the field, it was fitting that Liam was hoisted up on to his team-mates shoulders as a tribute and farewell to a loyal player who has been with the club since he was a pup. Good luck Liam, we wish you all the best in the USA.
Heads up lads, keep going as we run into the last few games of 2008. Cheers for now and see you all next week. From the Man Over the Fence
Team: Thomas, S.Smith, B.Smith (Iline 70), Mackie, Famularo, Burgess, Nuemann, Shippers, Kilner (Cullen 78), Biondo, Blake (George 60)
Unused Sub: C.Hodgson
